New-York tribune., 1908-06-17
THE REpUBLIC4y CONVENTION.

The fourteenth national convention OF the Re-
publican party began its sessions yeSlefdaE at
Chicago Since 1886. when this party first put a
national ticket in the field it has elected ten Pres
idential candidates For more than half century
ii has dominated American politics since only
for twelve years in that period has the executive
nower been lodged with an opposition President,
and only for four years has the opposltlon hio
control, in addition. of the two branches OF
Congress The. political history of the country
since 1856 has been largely the history OF the
Republican party 1t conducted the war for
the preservation of the Union and superintendent
the process of reconstruction. Suffering Tor
time from too unchecked q rein and from ShoIl-
sighted leadership. its authority was "eaheheu
and its progress was halted. In 1916 anu iooo
it barely retained the Presidency Its fresideN-
fial nominee was defeated in 1884. elected ID! II
great effort in 1888 and again defeated IN lo9-.
Since 1896 however. it has taken Il fresh hoiu
on the confidence Of the voters, and lis 1rogreS
sire and benefcent policies have re-estaohsheu
If in the complete control which it enjoyed IN
1868 and 1872.
Since 1924 the Republicans have not failed 10
raturn q majority in the House Of Representa-
tiyes The party's strength in the Senate has
risen from a bare margin to a two-thirds ma
ioritv Every Northern, Middle western anu
Far Western state. except Nevada, IL he" i'e
publican. Delaware and West Virginia ha'e
been detached permanently from the once SUM-
South Maryland on national issues is rs often
RanuhIican as Democratic. Kentucky and MIS-
souri, have both been carried for RepuDilcah
Presidential candidates. There is good reasoh
for this recovery of power, for the hepuoitdi
Marty has iustified its success by conducting the
executive and Legislative branches OF the gov
ernmcnt with WISDOM vigor and enlightenment.
of
dustry and commerce has been phenomenal.
Tho RESPONSIBILITIES of the United States as a
world power have been vastly enlarged Tie
standards of public service have been striklngiy
raised the national defence has been Adequately
provided for and important domestic reIorhs
have been attempted and accomplished. me
Republican party. under President RooseFells
leadership. has set our American house in ORDER
and the zeal it has shown in promoting natlonal
interests and the nations welfare mas Won II
tbo substantial anproval of the American people.
Senator Burrows the temporary chairman OF
the convention. sensibly laid stress yesterday in
his sDeech on the practical ana heplul chai "c-
ter of the Republican record.
The convention of 1908 will apparently nom
inate another successful Republican Presidential
candidate With political conditions as they
are it could not well do otherwise 1t mas
chosen 10 emphasize the policies Whch nave
made the party irresistible by deciding in adj
vance TO name the one Republican in public lie
most thoroughly associated with and committed
10 those policies. William III. Taft is the logical
successor 10 William Mckinley and Theodore
Roosevelt His nomination has been accom-
plished by the force Of party opinion, ana re"
Republican conventions-eyen those which re-
nominated Presideuts-have realized more COM
| uIefeIx than the one now in session In Chicago
that thpv were acting in entire ronSonance with
| the will of the great majority of the Repub-
| lican voters The Republican party Of to-day Is
singularly harmonious, confident and free from
fractional dfssensions and bitternesses. 1t WIFI go
| into the Presidential campaign expecting success
because it has fully and honestly earned it.