The herald., 1898-10-16

Tho Democratic party Of California, 4
state convention assembled. hereby re
:, affirms its adherence to the tine-honores
: principles of Democracy enunciated b.
= Thomas Jefferson and grandly upheld an
!, enforced by his Democratic successors Il
, the presidential office.
We reaffirm our allegiance to the ma
tic nal platform of the Democratic part.
adopted at Chicago In 1896, and spec.flcall!
, declare our adherence to the paramount
, purpose enunciated in that platform viz
, A return to the constitutional system O.
, free and unlimited coinage of both golk
and silver as money at the ratio Of 16 to
without waiting for the consent of any
/. other nation.
We indorse the action of congress in de
claring war against the government OF
Spain for the purpose Of securing liberty
to the people of Cuba, and of putting an
end to the long-continued oppression and
gross misgovernment under which they
have suffered. We congratulate the peo-
pie of the United States upon the speedy
and successful termination of the war for
the accomplishment of this purpose. We
rejoice in the success that has come to
American arms on land and sea, and glory
in the bravery and skill of the soldiers and
sailors of our country. The sublime cour-
age and fortitude displayed by our land
and naval forces In achieving the victories
of Manila and Santiago have shown to the
world the value Of free institutions. uni
versal suffrage and general public educa-
ton in developing the highest qualities of
character. intelligence and courage. MAX
ing our volunteer soldiers trained in the
schools Of the state militia organiza tions
move than equal to those who compose the
great standing armies of Europe.
We favor the fullest investigation of all
conditions existing in the Philippine islands
affecting the interests and obligations of
our country in the matter of their future
treatment and disposition. to the end that
the final action In relation thereto shall be
Intelligent, and based upon full knowl-
edge of all facts that can affect the inter-
ests of the United States.
While we do not favor an aggressive pol
icy of territorial expansion, we are opposed
to the surrender of Spain of any Of the ter
ritory that has been acquired by American
valor and the expenditure of the blood
and trea sure of Our people. And we do not
flavor the surrender to Spanish dominion
of the people of any of the Spanish colonies
. who co-operated with our forces against
our enemy in the late war.
We are unalterably opposed to the as
sumption by this government of any por-
ton of the debts of Spain incurred in main
tanning her sovereignty in Cuba, and to
the imposition Of any portion thereof upon
the people of that island or to any recogni-
tion thereof.
One of the results Of the war to our own
country has been the obliteration Of all
sectional lines and differences among our
people resulting from memories of the
civil war The people of all parts Of the
country have united with common devo-
ton, common patriotism and a common
spirit of self-sacrifice in the support of our
flag, In the crisis through which we have
passed and have thus forever banished Sec
tional animosities and made appeals to
sectionalism in the future campaigns i'm
possible.
We commend the course of the Demo-
cratic minority in congress In having acted
with unanimity and without partisan di
vision in all measures for the support of our
arms in the war with Spain. and We COM
mend the course of the Democratic senators
and representatives in congress in oppos-
ing the unjust and discriminating war
revenue measure Of the Republican admin
istration under which, by far, the greater
portion Of the cost of the war is levied upon
the laboring classes Of the country. and by
which unnecessary burdens In the form
of bonds have been imposed upon the peo-
pie of the United States.
We heartily endorse and commend the
faithful and efficient services of our Demo-
cratic senators and representatives In con-
gress from California.
We appreciate not only the splendid
achievements of our naval heroes but also
rejoice in the magnificent work accom-
plished by American labor and skill in the
construction of our ships of war and their
armament.
We are particularly gratified at the per-
fection manifested in the Oregon, Olympia
and like vessels built in California waters,
and insist that further similar work shall
be done here. The necessities of our grow
Ing Importance, the extension of our for
eign trade and the interests Of our country
and citizens abroad demand such navy
as shall render aggression from foreign
shores absolutely futile. 1t is the duty OF
congress to make corresponding appropria-
tions and to give us a navy capable Of en-
forcing our rights wherever questioned.
We favor the immediate construction Of
the Nicaragua ship canal by the United
States government, and its ownership, op-
Grafton and permanent control by the gov
ernment.
We denounce the measure recently
adopted by the Fifty-fifth congress pro-
viding for refunding the debts of the Cen
trail Pacific Railroad company to the
United States government, as an unusual
and vicious act of favoritlsm to powerful
corporation, the effect of which will be to
extend for a long period the Southern Pa
cific company's monopoly of railroad
transportation to California. We also de-
nounce the proposition to further extend
the period of payment of said debts, and
pledge our candidates for congress to OPP
pose the same We also pledge our cancii-
dates for the legislature not to vote for
any candidate for United States senator
who Is not opposed to any extension Of
such time upon any terms whatever.
We favor the foreclosure of the govern
mcnts liens upon the Central Pacific and
Western Pacific railroads and their sale
for an amount sufficient to pay the entire
claims of the government, or If price suf-
ncient for that purpose cannot be obtained,
that the government bid in said roads at
the foreclosure sales and hold them as
public highways for the benefit of the
whole people.
We commend the efforts of the Demo-
cratic majority of the present state rail-