The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1904-09-02

elected its nrst President. During "a Of
the A years which have elapsed since the
election Of Lincoln the Republican party
has held complete control OF the govern
ment. For 1s more Of the A years 1t has
held partial control through the posses
sion OF one or two branches Of the govern
the same period has had complete control
for only two years. This long tenure Of
power by the Republican party is not due
to chance. 1t is a demonstration that the
hdence OF the American people for nearly
two generations to a degree never eQualed
In our history. and has displayed a Nigh
capacity for rule and government which
has been made even more conspicuous by
the incnpacity and infrmity OF purpose
shown by its opponents.
Conditions in 1897.
The Republican party entered upon Its
present period Of complete supremacy in
1897. We have every right to .congratu-
accomplished. for 1t has added luster even
to the traditions Of the party which carried
the government through the storms Of civil
war.
We then found the country after four
years OF Democratic rule in evil plight. OPP
pressed with misfortune and doubtful Of
the future. Public credit had been low
cred. the revenues were declining, the debt
was growing. the administrations attitude
toward Spain was feeble and notifying.
the standard OF values was threatened and
uncertain. labor was unemployed, business
was sunk In the depression which had sue
ceeded the panic OF 1898. hope was faint
and confidence was gone.
We met these unhappy conditions vigor
ously, effectively and at once.
The Tariff Law.
We replaced a Democratic tariff law
based on free trade principles and gar
nished with sectional protection by a con
sistent protective tariff. and industry. freed
from oppression and stimulated by the en-
couragement Of wise laws. has expanded
to a degree never before known, has con-
| duered new markets.. and has created a
volume of exports which has surpassed
imagination. Under the Dingley tariff
labor has been fully employed. wages have
risen and all industries have revived and
prospered.
We firmly established the gold stand
ard which vas then menaced with de-
struction. Confidence returned to bust
ness. and with confidence an unexampled
prosperity.
For deficient revenues. supplemented by
improvident issues Of bonds, we gave the
country an income which produced a large
surplus and which enabled us only four
years after the Spanish war had closed
to remove over 500, oOO,0o0 Of annual war
taxes, reduce the public debt and lower
the interest charges of the government.
The Public Credit Restored.
The public credit, which had been so
| IUWPTeu THAT III IlDIt ol ptdNC IL DtIit
cratic administration made large loans at
extravagant rates Of interest in order to
pay current expenditures, rose under Re-
publican administration to its highest
point and enabled rs to borrow at 2 per
cent even In time OF war.
Cuba.
We refused to palter longer with the
miseries of Cuba. We fought a quick and
victorious war with Spain. We set Cuba
free. governed the island for three years.
and then gave It to the Cuban people with
order restored. with ample revenues. with
education and public health established.
United States by wise provisions for our
mutual interests.
Porto Rico.
We have organized the government Of
Porto Rico. and It's people now enjoy peace,
freedom. order and prosperity.
The Philippines.
In the Philippines We have suppressed
insnrreetion;; established order and given
t s2 Wfs there hea PbF eforet We = h ssSeFi dyra nfvsf
civil government. made 1t effective and
strong in administration. and have con
ferred upon the people Of those islands
the largest civil liberty they have ever en-
BY our possession Of the Philippines we
were enabled to take prompt and effective
Picking and a decisive part In preventing
the partition. and preserving the integrity
Of China.
The Isthmiau Canal.
The possession Of a route for an 18TH
milan canal. so long the dream OF Amer
plished fact. The great work OF connect
Ing the Pacific and Atlantic by a canal is
at last begun, and 1t Is due to the Re
publican party.
The Arid Lands.
We have passed the laws which will
A-s-- 49, ~tI lo~I- - &h0 a,ta 100
within the area OF cultivation.
The Army and Navy.
We have reorganized the army and put
1t in the highest state Of efficiency.
We have passed laws for the improve
ment and support Of the militia.
We have pushed forward the building of
the navy, the defense and protection of
our honor and our interests.
Our administration of the great depart
ments OF the government has been honest
and efficient, and wherever wrongdoing has
been discovered the Republican admins
tration has not hesitated to probe the evil
and bring the offenders to Justice without
regard to party or political ties.
The Great Corporations.
Laws enacted by the Republican party
which the Democratic party failed to en-
force and which were intended for the
protection OF the public against the unjust
discrimination or the illegal encroachment
OF vast aggregations OF capital. have been
fearlessly enforced by a Republican Presi-
dent and new laws insuring reasonable pub
Lefty as to the operations Of great cor
porations, and providing additional rene
dies for the prevention OF discrimination
In freight rates, have been passed by q
II Republican Congress.
In this record of achievement during the
past eight years may be read the pledges
which the Republican party has fulfilled.
We promise to continue these policies, and
we declare our constant adherence to the
following principles:
Protection to American Industries.
Protection, which guards and develops
our industries, is a cardinal policy Of the
Republican party. The measure Of pro
lection should always at least equal the
difference In the cost Of production al
home and abroad. We insist upon the
maintenance of the principle of protec
ton, and. therefore, rates Of duty SHOULD
be readjusted only when conditions have
80 changed that the public interest de
mands their alteration, but this work can
not safely be committed to any other hands
than those Of the Republican party. tt
intrust It to the Democratic party IL tt
invite disaster. Whether, as In 1892, the
Democratic party declares the protective
tariff unconstitutional, or whether it de
hands tariff reform or tariff revision, it.
real object IL always the destruction OF
the protective system. However s~pecious
the name, the purpose is ever the same