The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-06-25

| navy. Although at peace with ali the
! world, and secure in the consciousness that
! the American people do not desire and will
| not provoke war with any other country
we nevertheless declare our unaIterable de
votion to policy that Will keep this re-
public ready at all times to defend her fra
ditional doctrines and assure her appro
pirate part in promoting permanent tran
quillity among the nations
Foreign Commerce..
Under the administration of the Repub
| llcan party the foreign commerce of the
nited States has experienced p remark
able growth, until 1t has present annual
valuation OF approxima tely $4,000 600 0OO
ana gives employment to a vast amount
/ OF labor and capital which would otherwise
| De Idle 1t has inauglrated, through the
recent visit of the Secretary of State to
| South America and Mexico. a new era OF
pan-Amerlcan commerce and comfy which
| is bringing us into closer touch with our
twenty sister American republics, having a
common historical heritage. n republican
form OF government and Offering US a limit
| less field of legitimate commercial expan-
sion.
Arbitrafions Treaties.
The conspicuous contributions of Ameri-
can craftsmanship to the great cause of
| international peace, So signally advanced
| In The Hague conferences are an occasion
Tor lust pride and qualification. At the
| last session of the Senate of the United
states eleven Hague conventions were rati-
-.
OF war on land. restriction of submarine
| mines. limiting the use of force for the
collection of debts governing the opening
OF hostilities, extending the application of
Geneva principles and. I'm many WAYS. less
ening the evils of war and promoting the
peaceful settlement OF international con-
troversies
1t the same session twelve arbitration
conventions with great nations were con-
f:rmed. and extradition, boundary and ned
'iaiizatlon treaties OF supreme Importance
were ratified.
We indorse such achievements as the
highest duty a people can perform and pro-
claim the obligation 90 further strengthen
ing the bonds of friendship and good will
with all natiois of She world.
Merchant Marine.
We adhered to the Republican doctrine of
announcement 10 American shipping and
merchant marine prestige of the country so
essential to national defense. the enlarge
ment of foreign trade. and the industrial
prosperity of our own people
Veterans OF the War;.
Another Republican policy which must
be ever maintained is that of generous pro-
vision for those who have fought the coun-
try's battles and for the widows and or
phaIs OF those who have fallen. We com
mend the Increase In the widows pensions
made by the present Congress and declare
for q liberal administration of ali pension
laws. TO the end that the peoples gratitude
may grow deeper as the memories of heroic
sacrifice grow more sacred with the passing
years.
Civil Service.
We reafirm our former declarations that
the civil service laws enacted. extended and
enforced by the Republican party. shall con-
tinue to be maintained and obeyed.
Insular Affairs.
The American government. in Republican
hands, has freed Cuba, given peace and
protection to Porto Rico and the Philippines
under our flag and begun the construction
of the Panama Canal.
The present conditions In Cuba vindicate
the wisdom of maintaining between that
republic and this, imperishable bonds of
mutual interest. and the hope is now ex-
pressed that the Cuban people will soon
again he ready to assume complete sover-
eighty over their land
Ia Porto Rico the government of, the
United States r. meeting loyal and patri-
otto support order and prosperity prevail.
and the ellbeing of the people Is in every
respect promoted and conserved. We be-
iieve that the native inhabitants OF Porto
Rico should bs at once collectively made
citizens of the United States. and that all
others properly qualified under existing
laws residing in said island should have
the privilege of becoming naturalized.
In the Philippines instruction has been
suppressed. law established and life and
property made secure. Education and prac-
teal experience are there advancing the ca
pacity of tie people for government. and the
policies OF Mckinley and Roosevelt are lead
ing the Inhabitants step by step to an ever
increasing measure of home rule.
Time has justified the selection of the
Panama route for the great isthmian canal.
and events have shown the wisdom of Sc
curing authority over the zone through
which 1t is to be built. The work Is now
progressing with a rapidity far beyond ex-
pectations, and already the realization of
the hopes Of centuries has come within the
vision of the near future.
Admission of states.
We favor the Immediate admission of the
Territories of New Mexico and Arizona as
separate States in the Union.
Democratic Incapacity.
We call the attention of the American
people 20 the fact that none OF the great
measures here advocated by the Republican
party could be enacted, and none of the
steps forward here proposed could be taken,
under a Democratic administration or under
one In which party responsibility Is divided
The continuance OF present policies there
fore. absolutely requires the continuance in
power Of that party which believes In them
and Itch possesses the capacity to gut
them into operation.
Differences of Parties.
Beyond all platform declarations there are
fundamental differences between the Repub-
lican perty and its chief opponent which
make the one worthy and the other I'M
worthy OF public trust
In history, the difference between Democ-
racy and Republcanism Is that the one
stood for debased currency, the other for
honest currency; the one for free silver, the
other for sound money the one for free
trade, the other for protection the one for
the contraction OF American influence the
other for Its expa aston; the one has been
forced to abandon every position taken en-
the great issues before the people, the other
has led end vindicated all.
In experience the difference between De
mocracy and Republicanism is that one means
adversely, while the other means prosperity
one means low wages. the other means high;
the one means doubt and debt, the other
means confidence and thrift.
In principle, the difference between De-
moeracy and Republicanism is that one stands
for vacillation and timidty In government,
the other for strength and purpose; one
stands FOR obstruction, the other for con-
structios: one promises. the other performs
one finds fault. the other finds work
The present tendencies of the two parties
are even more marked by inherent differ
ences. The trend of Democracy Is toward
Socialism, while the Republican party
stands for wise and regulated individual
ism. Socialism would destroy wealth Re
publicauism would prevent its abuse. Social
ism would give to each an equal right to
take; Eepublicanism would give to each an
equal right to earn Socialism would offer
an equality of possession which would soon
leave no one anything to possess Repub-
licanisni would give equality OF opportunity
which would assure to each his share of a
constantly increasing sum or possessions
In line with this tendency, the Demo
cratic party of to-day believes in govern
ment ownership, while the Republican party
believes In government regulation. tIlti-
lnately, Democracy would have the nation
own thu people, while Republicanism would
have thu people own the nation.
Upon this platform Of principles and pur-
poses, reaffirming our adherence TO every
Republican doctrine proclaimed since the
birth a. the party, we go before the coun-
try. asking the support not only of those
who have acted with us heretofore, but OF
all our fellow citizens, who regardless Of
past political differences. unite In the desire
to maintain the policies. perpetuate the
blessings and make secure the achievements
of a greater America.
- Things