Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1896-09-18
the Amerlcas which has been dedicnled 70

No nation can afford To be unjust to its
defenders The care of those who have
suffered injury in the military and naval
service OF the country is sacred duty. A
nation which, like the United States, relies
upon voluntary service rather than upon a
large standing army, adds to its own secur-
itY when it makes generous provisions for
those who have risked their lives in its de-
tense, and for those who are dependent upon
them.
Labor creates capital. Until wealth is
produced by the application of brain and
muscle TO the resources of this country there
is nothing to divide among the non-p roduc
ing classes OF society. Since the producers
OF wealth create the nations prosperity in
time OF peace, and defend the nations flag
in time OF peril, their interests ought at all
times to be considered by those who stand
In official positions. The Democratic party
has ever found its voting strength among
those who bre proud to be known as the
common people, and it pledges itself to pro-
pose and enact such legislation as is neces-
sary to protect the masses in the free exer-
else OF every political right and in the en-
joyment OF their just share of the rewards
of their labor.
desire to give special emphasis to the
plank which recommends such legislation
as is necessary to secure the arbitration of
interstate commerce and their employees
Arbitration is not a new idea--it is simply
an extension of the court of justice. The
laboring men of the country have expressed
desire for arbitration and the railroads
cannot reasonably object to the decisions
rendered by an impartial tribunal. Society
has an interest even greater than the inter
est of employer or employe, and has right
to protect itself by courts of arbitration
against the growing Inconvenience and en-
barrassment occasioned by disputes between
those who own the great arteries of com
MERGE on the one hand and the laborers who
operate them on the other.
While the Democratic party welcomes to
the country those who come with love for
our institutions and with the determination
and ability to contribute to the strength and
greatness of our nation, it is opposed to the
dumping of the criminal classes upon our
shores and to the Importation OF either
pauper or contract labor to compete with
American labor.
The recent abuses which have grown out
OF injunction proceedings have been so en-
phatically condemned by public opinion
that the Senate bill providing for trial by
jury in certain contest cases will meet with
general approval.
The Democratic party is opposed to trusts.
1t will be recreant to its duty to the people
if it recognized either the moral or the legal
right OF these great aggregations OF wealth
to stl1e competition, bankrupt rivals, and
then prey upon society. Corporations are
the creatures OF law and they must not be
permitted to pass from under the control OF
the power which created they are permit
ted to exist on the theory that they advance
the public veal and they must not be al
lowed to use their powers for the public
injury.
The right of the United States govern
ment TO regulate interstate commerce can
not be questioned, and the necessity for the
vigorous exercise OF that right is becoming
more and more imperative. The interests
of the whole people requires such an en-
.argement OF the powers of the Interstate
Commerce Commission as will enable il to
prevent discrimination between persons and
and places and protect patrons from I'M
reasonable charges.
The government cannot afford to dis
criminate between its debtors, and must
therefore prosecute its legal claims against
the Pacific railroads. Such a policy is ne
cessary for the protection of the rights of
patrons as well as for the interests of the
government.
The people of the United States, happy
in the enjoyment of the blessings of free
government feel a generous sympathy to-
ward all who are endeavorlng to secure like
blessings for themselves. This sympathy,
while respecting all treaty obligations, is
especially active and earnest when excited
by the struggles of neighborng peoples,
who, like the Cubans, are near enough to
observe the workings of a government
which derives all its authority from the con
sent of the governed.
That the American people are not in favor
OF life tenure in the government service is
evident from the fact that they, as q rule,
make frequent changes in their official rep
resentatives when those representatives are
chosen by ballot. A permanent office hold
ing class is not in harmony with our insti
tutions. fixed term in appointive offices,
except where the Federal constitution now
provides otherwise, would open the public
service to larger number of citizens with
out impairing its efficiency
The territorial form of government is tenn.
porary in its nature and should give way as
soon as the territory is sufficiently advanced
to take its place among the States. New
Mexico, Oklahoma, and Arizona are emit.
tied to Statehood, and their admission is de-
mandcd by the material and political inter.
ests. The demand OF the platform that Off.
cials appointed to administer the govern
ment OF the Territories, the District of Co.
lumbia and Alaska should be bonafid9 resi-
dents of the Territories or district is entirely
in keeping with the Democratic theory of
home rule, am also heartily In sympathy
with the declaration that all public lands
should be reserved for the establishment Of
Tree homes for American citizens.
The policy of improving the great water
ways of the country is justified by the ma
tional character of those waterways and the
enormous tonnage borne upon them. Ex-
aria k.nl
appropriations are in the end more econom.
ical than single appropriations separated by
long intervals
1t is not necessary to discuss the tariff
question at this time. Whatever may be
the individual view of citizens as to the rola.
tive merits of protection and tariff reform, all
must recognize that until the money question
is fully aud finally settled the American peo-
pie Will not consent to the consideration of
any other important question. Taxation
presents problem which 10 some form is
continually present, and postponement of
definite action upon it involves no sacrifice
of personal opinion or political principles,
but the crises presented by financial cohdi.
tons cannot be postponed. Tremendous
results will follow the action taken by the
United States on the money question, and
delay is impossible. The people of this
nation, sitting as high court, must render
judgment in the cause which greed is prose.
cutting against humanity. The decision will
either give hope and inspiration to those
who toll or "shut the doors Of mercy on
mankind" In the presence of this over
shadowing issue differences upon minor
questions must be laid aside in order that
there may be united action among those
who are determined that progress toward
an universal gold standard shall be stayed
and the gold and silver coinage of the Con-
stitution restored.
w. j. BRYAN