The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-06
THE PLATFORM.
Declaration of Principles Adopted by
the Democratic National
Convention.

Kansas City, Mo, July 6.-Following
Is the official text of the platform as
adopted by the Democratic national con-
vention late yesterday.
We. the representatives of the Demo-
cratic party of the United States assem-
bled in national convention on the an
nlVersary of the adoption of the Declara-
ton of Independence do reaffirm our faith
in that immortal proclamation of the in
to the constitution framed in harmony
herewith by the fathers of the republic.
preme court that the Declaration of IN
dependence is the spirit of our govern
ment, of which the constitution is the
all governments instituted among men de-
rive their powers from the consent of the
upon the consent of the governed is a
tyranny; and to impose upon any people
a government is to substitute the methods
of Imperialism for those of a republic. We
hold that the constitution follows the
flag and denounce the doctrine that an
executive or congress, deriving their ex-
tuition exercises unlawful AUTHORITY be-
yond it, in violation of it. We assert that
no nation can long endure half republic
lean people that imperialism abroad will
lead quickly and inevitably to despotism
at home
PORTO RICO TARIFF.
Believing in these fundamental princi-
Piles we denounce the Porto Rico law en-
acted by Republican congress against
the protest and opposition of the Demo-
cratic minority as a bold and open vio-
latiOn of the nations organic law and a
fragrant breach of the national good faith
1t imposes upon the people of Porto Rico
a government without their consent and
taxation without representation 1t dis
ing solemn pledge made in their behalf
by the commanding general of our army.
peaceful and unresisted occupation of
their land. It dooms to poverty and dis
peaIs with peculiar force to our justice
and magnanimity. In this, the first act
of its imperialistic program: the Republic
can party seeks to commit the United
States to a colonial policy inconsistent
with republican institutions and condemn
ed by the supreme court in numerous de-
cisions.
We demand the prompt and honest full
fllment of our pledge to the Cuban peo-
pie and the world that the United States
has no disposition nor intention to exer-
else sovereignty, Jurisdiction, or control
over the island of Cuba, except for its
pacificatiOn- The war ended nearly two
Years ago. profound peace reigns all over
keeps the government of the island from
its people, willis Republican carpet-bag
officials plumber its revenues and exploit
the colonial theory to the disgrace of the
American people.
We condemn and denounce the Philip
pine policy of the present administration
essary war, sacrificed the lives of many OF
its noblest sons and placed the United
States, previously known and applauded
throughout the world as the champion OF
freedom, in the false and un-American
position of crushing with military force
the efforts of our former allies to achieve
liberty and government. The Fill
pinos can not be citizens without endan-
gering our civilization; they can not be
subjects without imperilling our form of
government, and We are not willing
fo Surrender our civilization or to convert
the republic into an empire, we favor an
immediate declaration of the nations
purpose to give to the Fflipinos first, a
state of government: second. fndepend-
ence, and third, protection from outside
interference such as has been given for
nearly a century to the republics OF Cen
trail and South America
The greedy commercialiSm which dc
tated the Philippine policy of the Republic
can administration attempts to Justify it
with the plea that it will pay, but even
brought to the test of facts. Tie war of
criminal aggression" against the Fill
pinos, entailing an annual expense of
many millions. has already cost more
than any possible profit that could accrue
from the entire Philippine trade for years
to come. Furthermore, when trade Is ex-
tended at the expense of liberty the price
is always too high.
We are not opposed to territorial expan-
sion when it takes In desirable territory
which can be erected into states in the
Union and whose people are willing and
fit to become American citizens.
We favor trade expansion by every
peaceful and legi nate means. But we
purchasing of distant islands TO be gov
erned outside the constitution and whose
We are in favor of extending the repub-
lies influence among the nations, but be-
not be force and violence. but through
the persuasive power of a high and hon
orable example.
IMPERIALISM PARAMOUNT ISSUE
The Importance of other questions now
pending before the American people is in
no wise diminished and the Democratic
marty takes mo backward step from its
position on them. but the burning issue of
Imperialism growing out of the Spanish
war involves the very existence of the re-
public and the destruction of our free in
stftutions- We regard 1t as the paramount
issue of the campaign
The declaration in the Republican plat
form adopted at the Philadelphia con-
ventfon held in June, 1900 that the Repub-
| lican party ''steadfastly adheres to the
policy announced in the Monroe doctrine. -
| is uanifeStly insinceTe and deceptive.
| This profession is contradicted by the
| avowed policy Of that party in opposition