The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-17
Policies Are Announced But
 Are Subject to Change
PRAISE FOR ROOSEVELT
Platform Proposes to Revise the Tariff and do Thousand Other Things. All Credit for Progress Is
 Claimed by Republicans.

Once more the republican party in n1- tional convention assembled submits its l cause to the people. This great historic organization that destroyed slavery. pre- served the union, restored credit, expand ed the national domain. established s sound financial system, developed the in- dustries and resources of the country and gave to the nation her post of honor in the councils of the world now meets the new problems of government with the same courage and capacity with which it solved the old In this, the greatest era of American advancement, the republican party reached it's highest service under the leadership of Theodore Roosevelt. His administration is an epoch ill American history. In no other period since national sovereignty was won un- der Washington or preserved under Lin coin, has there been such mighty prog ress in those ideals of government which make for justice, equality and fair deal Ing among men. The highest aspirations of the American people have found a voice. Their most exalted servant has come. to represent not political soyer- eighty alone, but the best aims and worthest purposes of all his country men.
 Sence of Duty.
 American manhood and womanhool have been lifted to nobler sense of duty and obligation. Conscience and courage in public station and higher standards of right and wrong in private life have be- come the cardinal princi )les of political faith, capital and labor have been brought into closer relations of confidence and in- ff r1pnpndpnPa hn a bt1c of ha tyranny of power and all the evils of privi- iege and favoritism have been put to scorn by the simple, manly virtues of justice and fair play. The great accom- rlishments of President Roosevelt have been first and foremost. brave and impartial enforcement of the law. the prosecution of illegal trusts and monopo- les. the exposure and punishment of evil ooers in the public service. the more of fective regulation of the rates and serv- ice of the great transportation lines; the complete overthrow of preference re- bates and determinations; the arbitration of labor disputes. the amelioraton of the conditions of wage-workers every where, the conservation of the natural resources of the country: the forward step in the improvement of the inland waterways and always the earnest sup port and defense of every wholesome safeguard which has made more secure the guarantee of life. liberty and pros perity.
 These are the achievements that will make for Theodore Roosevelt his place in history. But more than all else the great things he has done will be an in- riration to those who Lave yet greater things to do. We declare our unfalter- ing adherence to the policies thus in- augurated and pledge their continuance under a republican administration of the government
 Growth of Nation
 Under the guidance of republican prn- ciples the American people have become the richest nation in the world Our wealth today exceeds that of Egypt and all her colonies and that of France anl Germany combined. When the republican party was born the total wealth of the country was s16OOO,Oo0OOO It has leaped io $110,00 GOO in a generation. while Great Britain has gathered but s60, ,000, 900, GOO in 800 years.
 The United States now owns one- fourth of the worlds wealth and makes one-third of all manufactured prod ucts. In the great necessities of ciyi- lization such as coal, the motive power of all activity; iron, the chief basis of all industries; cotton the staple foun- dation of all fabrics. wheat, corn and all the agricultural products that feed mankind, American supremacy is un- disputed.
 And yet her great natural wealth has been scarcely touched. We ha vg vast domains of 10000, 900 square mile1 literally bursting with latent Urea sure still waiting the magic of capital and industry to be converted to the prac- l tical uses of mankind: country rich | in soil and climate; in the unharnessed I energy of its rivers and in all the 1 varied products.
 l Gratitude to God.
 i With gratitude for Gods bounty, witt l pride in the splendid productiveness of the past and yet with confidence ir the prosperity of the future. the repub. l lcan party declares for the principle that in the development and enjoyme :f of wealth so great and blessings sC l benign there should be equal oppor | tunty for all. Nothing so clearly demonstrates tn. sound basis upon which our commer | cial and agricultural interest are found ! ed and the necessity of promoting tn ei | continued welfare through the oper ] ation of republican policies as tn;
 recent safe passage of the America, people through a financial disturbance
 which, if appearing in the midst Q l democratic rule, or the menace of it
 might have equalled the familiar dem l ocratic panics of the past. We con | gratulate tLe people upon this renewe. l evidence of American supremacy an,
 hail with confidence the signs nov | manifest of a complete restoration O
 business prosperity in all lines of trade commerce and manufacture.
 Since the election of William McKin l ley in 1896 the people of this countr,
 have felt anew the wisdom of intrust
 ing to the republican party through de
 cisive majorities the control and di
 rection of national legislation Tn
 many wise and progressive measure
 adopted by recent sessions of Congres
 have demonstrated the patriotic resolv
 of republican leadership in the execu
 tive department to keep step in tn
 forward march toward better govern
 ment only the obstrpction and flibus tering of a democratic minority in tn last House of Congress prevented tn enactment of number of measures 3 great public benefit, the considerat tio of wh ich can only be intrusted to an
 other republican majority. But man wholesome and progressive laws are en acted, and we especially commend tn passage of the emergency currenc bill, the appointment of national mono tary commission, the employers an government liability laws, the measure for the greater efficiency of the arm and navy, the widows pension bill. tn model child labor law for the Distrit of Columbia. designed for emulation b the states; the new statutes for tn
 safety of railroad engineers and fir,
 men and many acts conserving tho pull
 lic welfara