The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-07-06
PLATFORM is ADOPTED.
imperialism the Paramount Issue, With
Silver Given Due Emphasis.

AmPefiallsM tne paramount Issue, With
Silver Given Due Emphasis.
We, the representatives of the Demo-
cratic party of the United States, assem-
bled in national convention on the ami
versary OF the adoption of the Declaration
OF Independence, do rcatlirm our faith in
that immortal proclamation of the inal-
ienable rights of man and our allegiance
to the constitution 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 not based upon the
consent of the governed is a tyranny;
and that to impose upon any people gov
ernment of force is to substitute the meth
ods of imperialism for those of IL republic
We hold that the constitution follows the
flag and denounce the doctrine that an
executive or congress deriving their exist
ence and their powers from the constitu-
tion can exercise lawful authority beyond
1T, or in violation of it. We assert that
no naUlon can long endure half republic
and half empire and we warn the Ameri
can people that Imperialism abroad will
lead quickly and inevitably to deSpotism
at home.
Believing in these fundamental princi-
pies, we denounce the Porto Rico law, cil-
acted by a Republican congress against
the protest and opposition of the Demo
cratic minority, as II bold and open viola
ton of the nations: organic law and il
| fragrant breach of the national good faith.
1t imposes upon the people of Porto Rico
Il government without their consent and
taxation wi hout representation.
1t dishonors the American people by re-
pudiuting u solemn pledge made in their
behalf bv the commanding general OF our
army, which tho Porto Ricans welcomed
to u peaceful and unresisted occupation of
their land. II doomed to poverty and
distress people whose helplessness APP
! peals with peculiar force to our justice
and magnanimity. In this, the first act
OF its imperialistic program, the Repub-
| lican party seeks to commit the United
/ States to Il colonial policy, inconsistent
with republican institutions and con
demnejl by the supreme court in nuner
Gus decisions
We demand the prompt and honest full
and the word that the United States has
no disposition nor intention to exercise
sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control ovel
| the island OF Cuba except for its pacitica
ton. The war ended nearly two years
ago profound peace reigns over aI the
/ island. and still the administration keep.
the government of the island from its
people, while Republican carpet-bag otfi
| cials plundcr its revenues and exploit The
! colonial theory to the disgrace of tht
American people
Denounce Philippine Policy
We condemn and dcnouncc the Philip
pine policy of the present administration
1t has embroiled the republic i'll an un
necessary war, sacrificed the lives of man,
of its noblest sons and placed the United
1 States, previously known and applaudeI
/ throughout the world as the champion o
freedom, in the false and un-Americai
position of crushing with military fore
the efforts of our former allies to achleS
liberty and self government The FIJI
pinos cannot he citizens without endafi
gering our civilization; they cannot b
subjects without imperilling our form o
government, and as we are not willing
surrender our civilization or to conNcf
the republic into an empire, we favor ~
immediate declaration of the nation 5 pur
pose to give to the Filipinos: first, Il stabl
|, form of government; second independ
ence; and third, protection from outsid
interference, such as has been given TO
nearly IL century to the republics of Cen
tral and South America.
The greedy commerciaiism which dicta
ted the Philippine policy of the Republica
administration attempts to justify wit
the plea that it will pay, but even thl
sordid and unworthy plea fails whe