The record-union., 1898-08-11
Congressman Richard P. Bland Delivers an
Address.
The Platform Opposes Acquisition
OF Philippines OF Other Terri
tory i'll the Eastern Hemisphere,
and Demands That Porto Rico
and all Spanish Territory in
West Indies, Except Cuba, Shall
BE Taken and Held by the
United States.

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 1O-A special to
the Republic from Springfield, Mo-.
says: The Democratic hosts assembled
In Baldwn's Opera-house, which has a
seating capacity of 5000 filling every
seat, and promptly at 11:55 o'clock the
convention was called to order. Richard
p Bland was made temporary Chair
man. He addressed the convention
for nearly an hour and was applauded
frequently. He spoke in part as fol-
lows:
What we do here to-day will not be
confined to our State, but will have its
influence on the whole country, so that
we should make no declarations of doc
trines respecting recent issues until we
have carefully deliberated upon them.
Mr. Bland then went at once to the
Chicago platform, recalling the finan-
cial plank, and declaring anew the ar
guments with which the people are Ia
miliar-
This domestic issue" he said, must
remain paramount until it is settled
and settled right. We propose to make
the campaign upon this issue. we do
not propose that plutocrats shall en-
tangle and confuse our minds with for
eign issues. We propose first to make
free and independent the people OF the
United States. (Applause.)
1--WE have been drawn into war
which has already cost millions OF
dollars, and put upon the common peo-
pie the burden of tax which Congress
refused to put upon the wealth OF the
country
He said the sentiments expressed IN
the declaration Of war would run par
alleled in the history of the world, in
its Justice and love of humanity, and
that no party ought to survive which
would undertake to lower that stand
ard of universal freedom of MANHOOD.
I'VE deserve the good opinion of the
world but we must also deserve the
good opinion of ourselves. | have ob-
served a tendency in some directions
to lower our principles TO those OF q
d-grabbing nation. (Faint applause
The Democratic party has always been
the party of progress in the anneXa-
ton of territory, but it was territory
bought and paid for"
After reciting the history of past ac-
uuisitions of territory, Mr.. Bland SAID;
But we are asked to-day to acquire
not only land. but people. We are
asked to connect ourselves with Tor
eign population unknown to our inter-
eSts and purposes. | don't want 10 see
this convention declare itself in favor
of anneXing Cuba. Porto Rico or the
Philippines. At the same time l 90
not wish you to declare in favor or
closing the doors to any honorable an
nexation with which we may be con-
fronted But we can declare
our adherence to the Monroe doctrine,
and no party or power can assail US.
If / could express my personal OPINION
in the platform / would declare against
the annexation of Cuba, Porto Rico or
the Philippines. and that when we snail
have wrested those islands from the
Spanish Government they should be
allowed to govern themselves. We are
not to assume that they are not ca
pable of self-government. Thomas
jefferson would have spat upon sucn
an assumption as that"
He continued in this vein for some
time. declaring his belief that eventu-
alIy Cuba and Porto Rico would come
into our country, but he desired no
declaration on that question until these
territories were prepared to come in Of
their own free will and accord and
under democratic principles.