Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1900-07-13
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
IMPERIALISM Takes Up First and Fore
most Attention, But Silver
Plank Gets In.


Kansas City (SpeciaD.-FolIowing Is
the platform, IN part, adopted unani
,,orsly nv the Democratic National
Conventions:
We.the representatives of the Demo
orot;c Marty CT the United States, as
semhled in convention on the anniver'
gary Of the adoption Of the Declaration
Of independence, do reaftiI'm ouI
faith in that immortal ptoclama'
tion of the inalienable rights OF mar
and our allegiance to the Constitution
framed in harmony herewith by the
fathers Of the Republic. We hold
with the United States Supreme Court
TINT the Declaration Of independence
ys the spirit of onrx Government, OF
which the Constitution is the form ano
letter.
We mold that the Constitution fo''
lows the flag, and assert that no nation
can long endure half republic and naii
empire. and we warn the American
people that Imperialism abroad VIII
lead quickly and inevitably to despot'
ism at home.
The Porto Rico law enacted by Con
rress is denounced, and 1t Ia declared
that the law imposes upon the people
Of the island government withou'
their consent and taxation without
their representation.
The demand is made for the prompt
fulG,lment of the pledge to the CUBAN
neople til t the United States mas TO
intention to exercise sovereignty, Juris'
dlction or control over the ,slano eK-
cept for It's pacifcation.
The Philippine policy Of the ADMIN
istration is denounced, which, Il IS &c
clared. involved the Republic in I'M
necessary war. An immediate declar
ation of the nations purpose. to give
to the Filipinos, first, stable lornl
Of government second, independence
and third, protection from OUTSIDE III
reference, is favored
Territorial expansion, when 1t taxes
in desirable territory when can pe
erected into States in the Union, ana
whose people are willing and TT TO De-
come American citizens, is favored
while unalterable opposition TO sel7ins
or purchasing distant islands OUTSIDE
the Constitution and whose people can
never become citizens Is expressed
The burning issue OF lmperlaiisn
growing out of the Spanish war, IN
yolylng the very existence of the Re
nubljc and the destruction OF our free
| institutions, is regarded as the para
| mount issue of the campaign.
The strict maintenance Of the MOE
roe Doctrine, both in letter ana ID
spirit, is insisted upon.
Opposition to militarlsm is declared
! A small standing army and a WeII-
| disciplined State militia are amply SUI
ficient in time Of peace. When the
nation is in danger the volunteer SOL
der is. his country's best defender,
The Democrat party is pledged 10
an unceasing warfare In nation, STATE
and city against private monopoly ID
| every form Existing laws against
trusts must be enforced and more
stringent ones must be enacted IN order
! TO curtail the absorbing power OF
| trusts and illegal combinations. "arlH
laws should be amended by putting
| the products of trusts upon the Tree
list to prevent monopoly under the
plea of protection.
The Dingley Tariff law is con-
demned, and the enlargement of the
Interstate Commerce law is favored.
The principles Of the national DEM
ocratic platform adopted at Chicago il
| 1896 are reafiirmed and Endorsed, and
| the immediate restoration OF the zee
and unlimited coinage of silver and
gold at the present legal ratio of u
| to /, without waiting for the consent
Of any other nation, is demanded.
The currency bill enacted by Con-
gress is denounced, and the retirement
| of the national bank notes as fast as
Government paper or silver certificates
| can he substituted for them Is demand
| ed.
| An amendment to The Constitution
| providing for the election Of Senators
| by the direct vote Of the people is
| favored.
Opposition to Government by injunc-
ton is declared, and arbitration as a
means of settling labor disputes la fa-
yored. A Department Of Labor with q
seat in the Cabinet is also favored.
| Liberal pensions to soldiers and sail
ors are favored.
The immediate construction, owner
ship and control Of the Nicaragua
Canal by the United States is favored.
The territories Of Arizona, New Mex
| leo and Oklahoma are promised State
hood, and Alaska and Porto Rico home
rule and a territorial form Of govern
| ment.
The improvement of the arid Islands
| of the West is favored.
The enforcement and extension OF
| the Chinese exclusion law Is favored.
An entangling alliance with any for
eign nation is condemned, and SYM
pathy with the Beers in their struggle
to- maintain their liberty is expressed.
che repeal or the war taxes aud
return to the Democratic policy OF
strict economy Of Government expend-
itures are favored.
Believing that our most cherished
institutions are In great peril, that the
very existence Of our Constitutional
Republic is at stake. and that the
| decision now to be rendered will de-
| termine whether or not our children
are to enjoy those blessed privileges
Of free government which have made
the United States great, prosperous aud
honored. we earnestly ask for the fore
going declaration of principles the
support of the liberty loving American
| naonlo repardlpss Of Drpyious marty