Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-09-12
The Iowa Democratic Platform

I'VE, the democrats of Iowa, in convention
assembled. unqualitiedly and unreseryedly en-
aorse the Chicago national platform OF 1895 in
whole and in detail and declare our unwavering
fidelity and adherence to the same, and we pro-
claim our admiration for and loyalty to the
peerless exponent of democratic principles,
w. j. Bryan, and favor his nomination in 1900.
1--WE rejoice in the exalted sentiment and
motive that prompted the government OF
the United States to take UP arms in de-
Tense of the bitterly oppressed people of
Cuba, In the successful termination of the
war with Spain and in the patriotism and
unsurpassed bravery displayed by our SOL
diers and sailors on land and sea. The
war for the liberation of the tyranny
cursed island was worthy the greatest re-
public and the best civilization that has
fourished in the tides of time, but for the
same reason that we glory in the success
ful war against Spain we deprecate and
condemn the war against the Filipinos.
One war was for the emancipation of the
people, the other was for the subjugation
of the people; and If the war against Spain
was right, and 1t was, that against the
natives of the Philippines, who have COM
mttted no offense save to love liberty and to
be willing to fight and to die for it, is
wrong. The attempt, unauthorized by con-
gress, to conquer the natives OF the orient
al islands is reputation Of the American
doctrine of consent, affirmed in the declara-
ton of independence and In conflict with
the principles which George Washington
and his fellow patriots of the revolution
made sacrifices to establish. We also con-
denim the war against the Filipinos, believ-
ing 1t TO have been inspired by Great Brit
ain for the purpose of producing condi-
lions that will force an Anglo-American
alliance, and we not only protest against
che war and demand Its termination by ex-
tension to the Filipinos of the same assur-
ance given to the Cubans, but we record
our deep-seated antagonism to an alliance
with Great Britain or any other European
power, and express our detestation Of the
attempts made in British interests to dis
rupt the friendly relations which have uni
formly obtained between the United States
and Germany. We oppose conquests of the
Philippines because imperialism means
mtlitarism. because militarism means gov
ernment by force. and because government
by force means death of government by
consent destruction of political and in
dustr1ai freedom, and the obliteration Of
equality of rights. and the assassination of
democratic institutions.
I'VE view with alarm the multiplication
OF those combinations of capital commonly
known as trusts that are concentrating and
monopolizing industry. crushing out indie
pendent producers of limited means, de-
etroying competition, restricting opportu-
mites for labor, artif1cially limiting pro-
duction and raising prices and creating an
industrial condition different from state
socialism only In the respect that under So
cialism benefits Of production would go to
all, while under trust system they go to
increase the fortune of the few. These
trusts and combinations are the direct out
growth Of the policy of the republican par
ty, which has not only favored these insti-
tutions, but has accepted their support and
solicited their contributions to aid that
party In retaining power, which has placed
the burden of taxation upon those who la
Dor and produce in times of peace and who
hight our battles in time of war while the
wealth of the country is exempted from
these burdens. We condemn this policy.
and 1t Is our solemn conviction that the
trusts must be destroyed or they will de-
stroy free government, and we demand that
they be suppressed by repeal of the pro
tective tariff and other privilege-conferrin
legislation responsible for them, and by the
enactment of such legislation state and
national, as will aid in their destruction"
We condemn the present system of letting
convict labor hy contract to private persons or
corporations, as now in vogue In the state Of
Iowa, and recommend that the same be abol.
lshed, and that convict labor be employed sole
~ and only In such work will not bring it
into competition with free labor.
I'VE urge that the legislature of the state
carefully consider the existing liquor laws with
the view OF eliminating the Objectionable feat
ures OF the mulct law and substituting therefor
carefully guarded legislation, just and fair and
In the interests of true temperance.
I'VE condemn the administration of Leslie
M. Shaw and the republican party in Iowa for
weakness and ineffcef cy and for subscrvience
10 The monied and corporate interests us op-
posed TO the interests of the people,
ITO the support of he foregoing principles
we do cordially invite The active CO. operation
OF all lovers vi lihrtty ana JUS tlce"