People's voice., 1900-07-12
National Democratic Platform.

National Democratic Platform.
Following is the official text of the
platform as agreed upon by the commit
tee on resolutions and adopted by the
Democratic convention:
IMPERIALISM
We, the representatives OF the Demo-
cratic party of the United States, as
sembled in national convention on
the anniversary of the adoption OF the
Declaration of independence, do re-
affirm our faith in that immortal proc
lamation of the inalienable rights OF
man and our allegiance to the constitu-
ton framed IN harmony Herewith by
the fathers of the republic. We hold
with the United States supreme court
that the Declaration of Independence is
the spirit of our government, of which
the constitution is the form and letter.
We declare again that all governments
instituted among men derive their Just
powers from the consent of the governed;
that any government rot based upon the
consent OF the governed is tyranny; and
that to impose upon any people a gov
ernment of force is to substitute the
methods of imperialism for those of
a republic. We hold that the con-
stitution follows the flag and de-
nounce the doctrine that an executive
or congress, deriving their existence and
their powers from the constitution, can
exercise lawful authority beyond it or
in violation of it. We assert that no ma
ton can long endure half republic and
half empire, and we warn the American
people that imperialism abroad will lead
quickly and inevitably to despotiSm at
home.
PORTO RICO.
Believing in these fundamental prin-
ciples, we denounce the Porto Rico law,
enacted by Republican congress against
the protest and opposition of the Demo
cratic minority, as bold and open vio-
lation of the nations organic law and a
fragrant breach of the national good
faith. 1t imposed upon the people of
Porto Rico a government without their
consent and taxation without represent
alton. 1t dishonors the American peo-
pie by repudiating a solemn pledge
made in their behalf by the command
ing general of our army, which the
Porto Ricans welcomed to a peaceful
and unresisted occupation of their land.
1t doomed to poverty and distress peo-
pie whose helplessness appeals with
peculiar force to our justice and mag
nanimity. In this, the first act of its
imperialistic programme, the Republican
party seeks to commit the United States
to a colonial policy, inconsistent with
republican institutions and condemned
by the supreme court in numerous de-
cisions.
CUBA AND PHI. .IPPINES.
We demand the prompt and honest
fulfllment of our pledge to the Cuban
people and the world that the United
States has no disposition nor intention
to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or
control over the island of Cuba except
for its pacifcation. The war ended
nearly two years ago, profound peace
reigns over all the island and still the
administration keeps the government of
the island from its people, while Re-
publican carpetbag 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 administra-
ton. 1t has embroiled the republic in
an unnecessary 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-An erican position of crushing
with military force the efforts of our
former allies to achieve liberty and self
government. The Filiplnos cannot be
citizens without endangering our civili-
zation; they cannot be subjects without
imperilling our form of government, and
as we are not willing to surrender our
civilization or to convert the republic
into an empire, we favor an immediate
declaration Of the nations purpose to
give to the Filipincs:
First-A stable form of government.
Second-Independence; and
Third-Protection from outside inter
ference such as has been given for nearly
century to the republics of Central
and South America.
The greedy commercialism which die
tated the Philippine policy of the Re-
publican administration attempts to JUS
tify it with the plea that it will pay,
but even this sordid and unworthy plea
fails when brought to the test of facts
The war of ciminal ACCESSION against
the PHILIPPINES, entailing an annual ex-
pense of many millions, has already cost
more than any possible profit that can
accrue from the entire Philippine trade
for years to come. Furthermore, when
trade is extended at the expense of lib
erty, the price is always too high.
EXPANSION.
We are not opposed to territorial ex-
pansion, when it takes in desirable ter
ritory which can be erected into states
in the union and whose people are will
ling and fit to become American citizens.
We favor trade expansion by peaceful
and Legitimate means. But we are un-
alterably opposed to the seizing or pur-
chase of distant islands to be governed
outside the constitution and whose peo-
pie can never become citizens.
We are in favor Of extending the re.
public's influence among the nations, but
believe that influence should be extended
not by force and violence, but through
tie persuasive power of high and hon
orable example.
PARAMOUNT ISSUE.
The Importance of other questions now
pending before the American people is in
no wise diminished and the Democratic