The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-11
SILVER IS PARAMOUNT
Richard p. Bland Talks to the
Missouri Democrats.
THE PLATFORM ADOPTED
1t Opposes the Acquisition OF the Phil
ippines and Demands That the Span
ish West Indies, Except Cuba,
Be Taken by the U. 5.

St Louis, Aug. 10.-A special to the
Republic from Springfield. Mo. says
The democratic hosts assembled in
Baldwin's opera house. which has a
seating capacity of 5000. filling every
seat, and promptly at IL SO o'clock the
convention was called to order. Rich
ard L. Bland was made temporary
chairman. lie addressed the conven-
tion for nearly an hour and was ap-
plauded frequently. He spoke in part
as follows:
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 re-
specting recent issues until we have
carefully deliberatod upon them"
Mr.. Bland then went at once to the
Chicago platform, recalling the inan-
cial plank. and declaring anew the ar
gument with which the people are "a
miliar.
This domestic issue" he said.
must remain paramount until 1t is
settled and settled right We propose
to make the campaign upon this issue.
We do not propose that plutocrats shall
entangle and confuse our minds with
foreign issues. We propose first 20
make free and Independent the people
of the United States. CApplauseD We
have been drawn into a war which
has already cost millions of dollars and
put upon the common people the bur
den of a tax, which congress refused
TO put upon the wealth of the coun-
try"
He said the sentiments expressed in
the declaration Of war were unparal-
leled in the history of the world, in
it's Justice and love and humanity. and
that no party ought to survive which
would undertake to lower that stand
ard of universal freedom of manhood.
we deserve the good opinion of the
world. but we must also deserve the
good opinion of ourselves. | have OBJ
served tendency In some directions
to lower our principles to those of
undertaking nation. Faint applausc.)
The democratic party has always been
the party of progress in the anneXa-
tion of territory, but 1t was territory
bought and paid for"
After reciting the history Of past ac-
quisitions 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 a for
eign population, unknown to our inter
ests and purposes | don't want to see
this convention declare itself in favor
of annexing Cuba or Porto Rico, or the
Philippines. At the same time, do
not wish to declare in favor of closing
the doors To any honorable annexation
with which we may be confronted. "ss
But we can declare our adherence
10 the Monroe doctrine, and no party
or power can assail us. If 1 could ex-
press my personal opinion on the plat
form | would declare against the an
neXation of Cuba, Porto Rico or the
Philippine islands. and that when we
shall have wrested the islands from
the Spanish government they should
1fsaas- #l.
are not To assume that they are not
capable of SELF government. Thomas
Jefferson would have spat upon an as
sumption such as that"
He continued i'm this vein for some
time, declaring his belief that eventu-
ally Cuba and Porto Rico would com =
into our country, but he desired no
declaration on that question until those
territories were prepared to come in of
their own free will and accord and I'M
der democratic principles
a short address of welcome was de-
livered by Major Hall and recess was
taken.
When the convention reassembled az
3 o'clock Congressman NJ L. Benton of
Newton was elected permanent chair
man. Nominations for supreme Judge
were then made and balloting COM
menced. The first ballot resulted i'm
the election OF Judge William c. Mar
Sidil l!i EhDItiilt JuuEt TOT tne tOn8
term and Judge Leroy B. Valiant for
the short term of the same office. The
then. at 3 p. m, adjourned
until tomorrow.
Late tonight the committee on res
olutions agreed on a platform which |
ndorses the Chicago platform: opposes
acquisition Of the Philippines or other
territory in the Eastern hemisphere:
approves the construction Of the Mica
raguan canal. which should be con-
trolled by the United States: declares |
that our navy should be kept equal to |
any emergency. and demands that |
Porto Rico and all territory in the West |
Indies except Cuba shall be taken ana |
held by the United States. Cuba to be |
allowed to tablish it's own govern |
ment and TO be annexed only at the de- |
sire of the people of the island.