Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1908-06-24
THE NATIONAL PLATFORM

on by the Republican Party in Ma.
tional Convention Assembled at
Chicago.
The platform of the Republican
party, upon which it goes before the
nation in the coming campaign is-as
follows, paragraphs of minor import
ance being given only in substance
and the more vital ones in full:
Once more the Republican party,
in national convention assembled,
submits its cause to the people. This
great historic organization that des-
troyed slavery, preserved the Union,
restored credit, expanded the nation
al domain, established a sound fnan-
cial system, developed the industries
and resources of the country, and
gave to the nation her seat of honor
in the councils of the world now
meets the new problems of govern
ment with the same courage/and CO.
pacity with which it solved the old.
In this, the greatest era Of Ameri-
can advancement, the Republican
party has reached its highest service
under the leadership of Theodore
Roosevelt. His administration is an
epoch in American history. In no
other period since national sovereign
ty was won under Washington or
preserved under Lincoln has there
been such mighty progress in these
ideals Of government which make for
justice, equality and fair dealing
among men. The highest aspirations
Of the American people have found a
voice. Their most exalted servant has
come to represent not political SOW
ereignty alone, but the best aims and
vorthiest purpose Of all his country
ns'' Justice and Fair Play.
American: manhood and woman
hood have been lifted TO a nobler
sense of duty and obligation. Con-
science and courage II public station
and highest standards of right and
wrong in private life have become the
principles of political faith; capital
and labor have been brought into
closer relations of confidence and in
dependence; the abuse of wealth, the
tyranny Of power and all the evils Of
privilege and favoritism have been
put to scorn by the simple, manly
virtues Of justice and fair play. The
great accomplishments Of President
Roosevelt have been first, and fore
most, brave and impartial enforce
ment of the law, the prosecution of
illegal trusts and monopoies, the
punishment of evil doers in the pub
lie service, the more effective regula-
tions of the rates and service of the
great transportation lines, the CON-
pletc overthrow of preference, re.
bates and determinations; the arbi-
tration of labor disputes, the ameli-
Grafton of the condition Of wage
workers everywhere, the conservation
of the natural resources of the coun-
try, the forward step in the improve
ment of the inland waterways, and
always the earnest support and de
fense of every wholesome safeguard
which has made more secure the
guarantees of life, liberty and pros
perity.
Americas Wealth.
Under the guidance of Republican
principles the American people have
become the richest nation in the
world. Our wealth today exceeds
that Of England, and her colonies,
combined. When the Republican par
ty was born the total wealth Of the
country was $16,OOO,00O,OOO. 1t has
leaped to s11O,OOO,O0O,0OO in gen
Grafton while Great Britain has
gathered but. $6O,OOO,oO0,OOO in 500
years.
The United States now owns one
fourth of the world IS wealth and
makes one-third of all manufactured
products.
In the great necessities Of civiliza-
tion, such as coal, the motive power
Of all activity; iron, the chief basis
of all industries; cotton, the staple
foundation Of all fabrics; wheat, corn
and all the agricultural products that
feed mankind. American supremacy
is undisputed.
And yet her great natrual wealth
has been scarcely touched. We have
vast domains of aO,OOO,0OO squal>
miles literally bursting with latent
treasure, still waiting the magic of
capital and industry to be converted
to the practical uses of mankind; a
country rich in soil and climate, in
the embarrassed energy of its rivers
and in all the varied products.
With gratitude for Gods bounty,
with pride in the splendid produc-
tiveness Of the past and with conf
dcnce in the prosperity of the future,
the Republican party declares
for ihe principle that in the
development and enjoyment of
wealth so great and blessings so be-
nign there shall be equal opportunity
for all.
The trust plank is as follows:
"The Republican party passed the
Sherman antitrust law over Demo
cratic opposition and enforced it af-
ter Democratic derelietion. 1t has
been o wholesome instrument for
good in the hands of a wise and fear
less administration.
T..ilroad Plank.
"We approve the enactment of n
railroad rate low and vigorous ell
forcenent of the present administra-
ton of the statutes against rebates
and discrimination as result OF
which the advantages formerly pos
sessed by the large over the small
shipper have substantially disappear
ed. In this connection we commend
the appropriation of $35O,OoO by the
present Congress in order to enable