The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-06-29
REPUBLICAN
PLATFORM

The Republican party, assembled
by its representatives In national con-
vention. declares It's unchanging faith
In government Of the people, by the
people. for the people. We renew our
allegiance to the principles OF the
Republican party and our devotion to
the cause Of Republican institutions
sstabli shed by the fathers.
II 10 appropriate that We Should
now recall with sense Of veKeratfon
and gratitude the name of our first
great leader who was nominated In
this city. and whose lofty principles
and superb devotion to his country
are an Inspiration to the party be
honored-Abraham Lincoln. In the
present state of public affairs we
should be inspired by his broad
statesmanahip and by his tolerant
spirit toward men.
Views Record with Pride.
The Republican party looks back
upou its record with pride and salts
faction, and forward to tts new re-
sponsibilitles. with hope and conf
dsnce. it, achievements in govern
ment constitute the most summons
pages Ia our history. Our greatest
national advance has been made dur
ing the years Of ito ascendeney in
public affairs. II has been genuinely
and always o party Of progresA: 1t
has never been either stationary or
reactiouary. 1t has gone from the
fulhllment Of one great pledge to the
fulnllment Of another In response to
the public need and to the popular
will.
We believe In our self-controlled
representative democracy. which 10 a
government of laws not of men, and
In which order 10 the prerequisite OF
progress.
The principles Of constitutional gov
srnment which make provision for
orderly and effective expression OF
the popular will. for the protection
OF civil liberty and the rights of men,
and for the Interpretation Of the law
BY an untrammsled and independent
judiciary, have proved themselves
capable OF sustaining the structure of
government which. after more than
. century Of development, embraces
to0.000,000 Of people, scattered over a
vide and diverse territory. but
bound by common purpose, common
ideals. and common affection to the
constitution Of the United States.
Growth Of United States.
Under the constitution and the
principles asserted and vitalized by II
the United States has grown to be
one OF the great civilized and civiliz-
Ing powers OF the earth. 1t offers a
home and an opportunity to the am.
bilious and the industrious from 9th.
Or lands. Resting upon the broad
basis OF Q peoples confidence and a
peoples support, and managed by the
people themselves. the government Of
the United States will meet the prob
lens of the future as satisfactory as
II has solved those of the past.
The Republican party is now. as
always. a party Of advanced and con.
struEiys ststssmenship, It is pre-.
W eo ioIwoTu WIN the G0lu-
tio9 OF those new questions which
social. economic, and political devel-
opment have brought into the fore
front OF the nations interest. It will
strive. not only In the nation but in
the several states. to enact the nee.
essary lesialation to safeguard the
public health; to limit effectively the
labor Of women and children; to pro
tect wage earners engaged In dan.
gerous occupations; to enact compre.
hensive and generous workmen's
compensation laws In place of the
present wasteful and unjust system
of employers liability; and in all pos
sible ways to satisfy the jus, demand
OF the people for the study and solu.
tion OF the complex and constantly
changing problems Of social welfare
Rights OF the Individual.
In dealing with these questions It is
important that the rights of every in.
dividual to the freest possi le deyeI.
opment OF his own powers and re-
sources and to the control of his own
Justly acquired property, so far as
those are compatible with the rights
OF others. shall not be interfered with
or destroyed.
The social and political structure
OF the United States rests upon the
civil liberty of the individual. and
ior the protection Of that liberty the
people have wisely. In the national
and state constitutions. put definite
limitations upon themselves and upon
their governmental officers and
agencies. To enforce these limita.
uons' to secure the orderly and CO
herent exercise Of government DOW.
ers. and to protect the rights OF even
the humblest and least favored in