Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-10-07

The democracy Of Iowa in state conven-
ton assembled discern in the democratic
national platform of 1895, which we hereby
heartily affirm, as the expression of demo-
CRATIC principles enunciated since Thomas
Jefferson wrote the declaration Of indie
pendence. The utterances of that plat
form concerning finance explicitly define
our faith on the money question.
The free and unlimited coinage Of silver
and gold at the ratio of sixteen to one we
hold to be indispensable to the financial,
Industrial and political independence Of our
people, and, recognizing William ]. Bryan
a. preeminently the representative and eX-
ponent OF the platform, we earnestly favor
bis nomination for president Of the union
We lppeaoh the republican party for
criminal insinoerity In declaring for BIZ
Ahd 1892 and for international bimetallism
IN 1895, and now, in Its latest state platform,
hhAou!voeally committing itself to the
gold standard. And we 6enounoe as being
dangerous to the public welfare Its pro-
posal tor legislation involving the CONVEX
etop OF the 600,000.0o0 silver dollars and the
l846, 900 Of greenbaoks first into exclusive
fold obligations and next into an interest
soaring bonded debt and filling the vacuum
created By the obliteratiop Of the nearly
II. ooQ, 900 Of legal tender money with noh-
legal tender bank notes.
domination Of the late republican state oon-
ytntion By the railroad corporations, and
we call upon the people to throw off the
corporation yoke by repudiating the party
which Is thus fagrantly betraying them.
The war with Spain was necessary and
undertaken In the interest Of humanity,
&nd we commend the action Of the demo-
nfAts ID congress who voted ample supplies
tor pr3seouting 1t to q successful oonc1u-
sion. We demand that the solemn declara-
tiors 20 to the purposes OF the war be
faithfully carried out by the government.
We glory IN the valor Of the soldiers and
sailors Of the army and navy and rejoice
IN their unexampled victory on land and
sea,
The congress provided amply in money to
furnish them supplies and the best Of care
when they became disabled by wounds or
disease, and we denounce the criminal In
competency and negligence Of the agents Of
the government who have caused them to
suffer and die In camp and hospitals for
the lack OF that care which humanity and
Justice demands. And we insist upon
speedy, searching and impartial investi-
CATION TO the end that the guilty may be ex-
posed and flttingly punished.
We express our unbounded admiration
OF the patriotism and self-sacrif1cing cour-
age of the soldiers who enlisted, but were
not sent to the front. as well as of those
who faced shot and shell and deadly dis
case on foreign soil, and we hold that all
are equally deserving Of the love and graf
1tude OF the republic.
While recognizing the Importance and de-
manding the maintenance Of an effective
navy, we hold that mllitarism is a menace
to free Institutions. and we oppose any
policy that will supply a reason or pretext
for supporting a large standing army In
time OF peace. The immortal Washington,
Tor profound reasons, wisely warned his
countrymen against entangling foreign al
llanoes. The edmonition Is as pertinent
as when 1t was uttered a century ago.
Therefore, while sincerely desiring friendly
relations with all nations, we earnestly pro-
test against alliance with any.
Az It 10 an obvious necessity and would
double the efficiency of our navy, we favor
the speedy construction Of the Nlcara guam
canal by the government of the United
States.
we believe that the constitution of the
United States is the most excellent organic
law ever adopted by any people, and we
feel Just pride in the loyalty to 1t which
the democratic party has ever shown. But
we believe that the lapse of years and
changed conditions have brought about the
time when further amendments should be
Drought forward for adoption. We hold
that Its provisions for Its own amendment
are utterly inadequate to give expression
20 the Will OF the people, and we therefore
favor the amendment of Article 8 Of the
constitution OF the United States, to the
END that whenever majority Of both
houses OF the congress shall deem 1t nee
essary the congress shall propose amend
ments to the constitution, which shall be
submitted to the popular vote and shall
be valid as a part thereof when ratified
by majority of the votes of the people of
the United States cast at any general or
special election at which such question
shall be submitted to vote.
We are In favor of legislation which shall
make 1t a misdemeanor for any public
officer of the state to accept any pass.
passes, mileage or transportation from any
railroad company in this state or to accept
any frank or pass from any telegraph tel
epnone or express company doing busi-
ness In this state.
we believe In the just and equal distribu-
tion or the taxes of the government. that
It's burdens and Its blessings may fall Just
ly and impartially upon all alike. We da-
mand that capital as we'll as toll shall nav
Its Just proportion of the expenses. and
that by just and complete Equality" law
for the taxation OF incomes shall be no
longer fiction, but fact.
= We renew our adherence to the Monroe
doctrine, asserting that our national
sphere of influence comprehends and en-
braces the entire western hemisphere, and
that beyond securing coaling and naval
stations In other parts of the world for
the convenience and protection of our COM
merce we should seek to acquire no ter
ritory.
Hpv, oaIyo