The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-04-01
NEW POLITICAL
PARTY ORGANIZED
Porto RiCanS Express Loyalty to the
American Flag.
THE PRESIDENT C0MMENDE
For His Course During and Alter Var
With Spain.
THE PRESIDENT COMMENDED
ANNEXATION TO THIS COUNTRY
Is Hailed With Pride, and the Members
Pledge Themselves to Uphold the
United State-American Sys-
TEN of Government.

San Juan, p r., March 91.-A new politi-
party Of Porto Rico.
Though the party was organized by the
radicals under its leadership of Manuel
Rosy, it has for its object the association
of all political elements on this Island, and
they have agreed upon platform which is
pronounced to be faultless in its Ameri-
canism- The platform, in part, is as fol-
lows:
"Tbat it is the highest duty of every
citizen to uphold the integrity OF the coun-
try and the laws of the land. That we
pledge ourselves as men. animated by a
common cause, aiming at a common OBJ
ject, to do all in our power for our govern
ment We endorse and commend the able,
patriotic and true American spirit mani
tested by Hon. william Mckinley, presi-
dent of the United States in releasing us
from the misrule of Spain and we pledge
our faithfulness to adhere to the new
principles of our new country and have
for our aim harmony, unity and good gov
eminent, relying with confidence upon the
hope of a speedy settlement of our nation
al affairs.
Loyalty to Our Flag
1.-THE name of our party shall be the Re
publican Party of Porto Rico We de-
clare our sincere loyalty to the American
flag. and American ideas, and American
pledge ourselves to strive to become
worthy of the great nation of which we are
now a part.
1--WE hail with pride our annexation to
the United States.
1--WE believe that the people of Porto Ri
co could be trusted with the civil govern
ment of the island, but as that authority
only emanates from the congress of the
United States, it is but our duty to await
their action, and while under military gov
eminent awaiting action by congress we
desire that all civil offices should be filed
by men capable, honest and of unquestion-
ed loyalty to the government of the United
States, and disposed to act singly for the
best interest of this island and our COM
mon country without distinction, thereby
affording an opportunity to demonstrate
our fitness for self-government, with all
the burdens and responsibilities which it
entails. and which will hasten the day when
our island will have a place among the
states of the union"
Succeeding plsnks declare in favor of a
universal suffrage, and oppose the intro
duction into the island of foreign labor,
express devotion to liberty of conscience
and speech, and plead the freedom of the
press. and depreciate any union of church
and state.
Free Schools Are Demanded
Free schools and the teaching of English
are demanded. A change in the present
system of taxation and free trade between
Porto Rico and the United States are ad-
voeated.
The exchange of the provincial money for
money of the United States Is advocated
on a gold basis, "as it is right and proper
that every dollar, paper or coin. issued by
the government, be as good as any other. y
The establishment of an American system
of courts is favored.
The platform concludes thus:
I'VE congratulate ourselves and our
country on being Under the protection OF
the American flag, the recognized emblem
of liberty and will lend every effort to
advance civilization, to teach loyalty to
love American institutions and honor
Washington, Lincoln and Mckinley, whose
names are household words In the land"
1t Is said by the organizers of this party
that the name Republican is used In its
general sense, and has no relation to the
party of that name In the United States
1t is understood that General Henry Is in
entire accord with the establishment of a
new American party.