Idaho Springs siftings., 1904-06-25


party came into existence dedicated,
among other purposes. to the great
task Of arresting the extension OF
human slavery. In 1860 it elected It's
first President. During twenty-four OF
the forty-four years which have
elapsed since the election OF Lincoln.
the Republican party has held cam
plete control of the government. For
eighteen more of the forty-four years
IL has held partial control through the
possession Of one or two branches OF
the government, while the Democratic
party during 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 Repub-
iican party has commanded the conn.,
dence Of the American people for near
ly two generations to degree never
equaled in our history. and has dis
played q high capacity for rule and
government which has been made
even more conspicuous by the inca
pacity and infirmity OF purpose shown
by its opponents.
The Republican party entered upon
its present period of complete suprem-
ecy in 1897. We have every right to
~
since then accomplished. for it has
added lustre even to the traditions OF
the party which carried the govern
ment through the storms of civil war.
We then found the country, after
four years of Democratic rule, in evil
plight. oppressed with misfortune and
doubtful of the future. Public credit
had been lowered. the revenues were
declining. the debt was growing, the
administration attitude toward Spain
was feeble and notifying, the stand
ard OF values was threatened and un-
certain. labor was crippled. business
was sunk In depression which had
succeeded the panic OF 1893. hope vas
faint and confidence was gone.
Measures Were Effective.
We met these unhappy conditions
vigorously, effectively and alone. We
replaced Democratic tarin law
based on free trade principles and
garnished with sectional protection by
a protective tariff and industry, freed
from oppression and stimulated by
the encouragement of wise laws has
expanded to a degree never before
known, has conquered new markets
and has created n volume of exports
der the Dingley tariff labor has been
fully employed.
Wages have risen and all industries
have revived and prospered-
We firmly established the gold
standard. which was then menaced
with destruction. Confidence returned
to business. and with confidence an
unexampled prosperity.
Revenue Replaces Bonds.
For deficient revenues supplement
ed by improvident issues of bonds We
gave the country an incopse which
produced a large surplus and which
enabled us only four years after the
Spanish war had closed 20 remove
over 100000 200 OF annual war taxes.
reduce the public debt and lower the
interest charges Of the government
The public credit. which had been
so lowered that in time of peace a
Democratic administration made large
loans at extravagant rates OF interest
In order to pay current expenditures.
rose under Republican administration
to its highest point and enabled us to
borrow at two per cent even In time
of war.
We refused to palter longer with the
Vi Subd We iodehA 4ha'h
and vigorous war with Spain. We set
Cuba free. governed the island for
three years and then gave II to the
Cuban people with order restored, with
ample revenues. with education and
public health established. free from
debt and connected with the United
States by wise provisions for our mu-
tual interests.
Good Work In New Colonies.
We have organized the government
o. Porto Rico, and its people now en-
10y peace, freedom, order and prosper
ity.
In the Philippines we have sup
pressed insurrection. established or
der and given TO life and property
security never known there before.
We have organized civil government.
made it effective and stronGdn admin
istration and have conferref upon the
people of those islands the largest civil
liberty they have ever enjoyed.
BY our possession of the Philip
pines we were enabled to take prompt
action in the relief of the Legations at
Peking and a decisive part in prevent
ing the partition and the preserving
Of the integrity Of China.
The possession Of route for an 18th
mian canal. so long the dream of
American statesmanship. is now an
accomplished fact The great work of
connecting the Pacific and Atlantic
oceans by a canal is at last begun and
IL is due to the Republican party.
Will l-rioate the Arid Region.
We have passed laws which will
brtp1 tho arid lands of the limited
States within the area OF cultivation.
We have reorganized the army and
put it in the highest state of eff
cheney.
We have passed laws for the i'm
provement and support of the militia.
We have pushed forward the build
ing Of thf. navy the defpnse and the