The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-08-11

ana Independent People of the
united States - Common People
Carry the Burden of war Tax,-
ton - Bland Would Declare
Against the Annexation of Cuba.
Porto Rico or the PhiIiupipe.
and the Convention FartIy Sup
ported Him.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo-, Aug. 10.-The
feature of moment in the Democratic
state convention today was the action
TO be taken in the platform with ref
erence to the acquisition of territory as
| result of the war with Spain. Late
tonight the committee on resolutions
agreed to a platform which indorses
the Chicago platform, insisting on the
strict maintenance Of the Monroe doc
trine, opposes the acquisition Of the
Philippines or other territory in the
Eastern hemisphere; approves the con-
struction of the Nicaraguan canal,
which should be controlled by the
United States; declares our navy
should be kept equal to any emergency,
demands that Porto Rico and any
other territory in the Western hemi-
| sphere taken should be held by the
United States, with the exception of
Cuba, which is to be allowed to select
| a government Of its own people.
| BLANDS KEY NOTE.
| Early in the day it was known that
| Congressman Bland and his followers
! had broken away from Stone, on the
| question of territorial expansion, and
had declared against such policy.
| Baldwin's theater was crowded when
| Chairman S. B. Cook, of the state COM
mittee, called the convention to order
| at exactly noon. Congressman Richard
| P. Bland, introduced as temporary
chairman, was received with great ap-
plause. In the course of his address,
Chairman Bland said:
| What we do here today will not be con-
fined to our state, but will have its iniu-
ence on the whole country that should
make no declarations of doctrines respect
| ing recent issues, until we have carefully
| deliberated upon them.
| Mr.. Bland then went at once to the Chi
cago platform recalling the financial plank,
| and declaring anew the arguments with
/ which the people are familiar
/ IllS d0neStlc issue must remain paramount
until it is settled and settled right. We pre-
pose to make the campaign upon this issue.
We do not propose that plutocrats shall
! tangle and confuse minds with foreign
| issues. We propose first to make free and
| Independent the people of the United States.
! (Applause.) We have been drawn into war
which has already cost millions of dollars
and put upon the common people 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 were unparallel in the
| history of the world in its justice and love
| of humanity and that no party ought to sur
vve which undertakes to lower that standard
| of universal freedom Of manhood.
We deserve the good opinion Of the world.
but we must also deserve the good opinion
of ourselves. l have observed tendency In
| some directions to lower our principles to
| those of a land grabbing nation. Faint ap-
| plause0 The Democratic party has always
| been the party of progress in the annexa-
| ton Of territory, but 1t was territory bought
| and paid for.
] Reciting the history OF past acquisitions OF
| territory, Mr.. Bland said: But we are asked
| today to acquire not only land but people.
We are asked to connect ourselves with
| foreign population unknown to our interests
| and purposes. l do not want to see this cSn-
| vention declare itself in favor of annexing
| Cuba, or Porto Rico. the Philippines At
the same time l do not wish to declare
| in favor of closing the door to any honor
| able annexation with which we may be con-
| fronted.
! We may make a declaration here for which
| we may be sorry before the year is out. But
| We can declare our adherence to the Monroe
| doctrine. and no party or power assail
| us in upholding it. II l could impress my
personal opinion in the platform, 1 would
declare against the annexation of Cuba, Porto
| Rico or the Philippine islands, and tha',
| when shall have wrested these Islands
| from the Spanish government, they should be
| allowed to govern themselves. We are not
to assume that they are not capable of self
| government. Thomas Jefferson would have
| spat upon such assumption as that
He continued in this vein for some time
! declaring his belief that, eventually Cuba
| and Porto Rico would come into our coun-
| try, but he desired declaration on thai
question until these territories were prepared
| to come in of their own free will and accord
| and under Democratic principles
| AT the conclusion of Chairman
BANDS address, committees were ap-
| pointed and a recess was taken until
| 2:30 p M
| SUPREME JUDGES NAMED.
When the convention reassembled
| former Gov. Stone was called upon
| for speech. He replied briefly, and
| in referring to the foreign situation
| said:
| l would annex the island of Porto Rico to
| the American union. 1 am in favor Of taking
| 1t because we want it. 1t is necessary to our
| coast defense. So is Cuba. 1t is necessary
| to our commerce and to our dominion of the
| Gulf of Mexico
! He declared that every Democratic presi-
| dent from Jefferson to Buchanan favored ter
| rftorial annexation, and that Jefferson advised
! the annexation of Cuba repeatedly. He also
| favored building the Nicaraguan canal a
| greater navy and an increase in the merchant
| marine.
When Gov. Stone ceased speaking the
regular order of business was taken
| up.
| Congressman r. E. Benton was elect
ed permanent chairman. He addressed
| the convention for fifteen minutes, say
ing that he favored making the free
| coinage of silver as paramount an is
sue during the present campaign as it
was in 1896.
For supreme judge, the names of
Henry M. Ramey, of st. Joseph; Noah
M. Givin, of Cass; William c. Marshall
and Judge Leroy B. Valiant were plac-
ed before the convention. John w.
Halliburton, of Jasper county, was
nominated for the short term
The first ballot resulted in the Sc
lection of Judge William c.. Marshall
for supreme judge, long term, and