The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-07-29
mY nos. NJ. Nj. cnANEl

The platform adopted by the National
democratic convention at Kansas City, like
most other platforms. and like judicial
decisions, consists OF arguments and con-
illusions. The arguments are the glitter
ing generalitles and abstract statements
made preliminary to announcing the con-
illusions. The conclusions are the acts
which the platform either commands or
prohibits.
Few thoughtful men OF any party ever
indorse all that e said in a long platform.
They oftentimes disapprove the arguments,
while indorsing the conclusions. 1t is as
immaterial what arguments are used in a
platform as in judicial opinion. II the
conclusions are satisfactory. The things
that 1t commands to be done, or that it
prohibits from being done, are the really
important points aud conclusive on all
party adherents. Examined from this
standpoint, 1t will be found that the Kan
sas City platform has little in it to which
q democrat can reasonably object.
Those who are in favor of territorial
expansion need not complain, because 1t
declares in explicit terms that its makers
are not opposed to expansion OF territory,
provided the territory be desirable and
Its inhabitants fit for citizenship in the
United States Whether the particular
territory is desirable. or whether its in
habitants are fit for citizenship, will al
ways be open for debate The decision in
reference to each particular territory will
be made on It's merits alone. This dec
;aration is particularly gratifying to me
because in accord with a view | expressed
in a communication to the press, made on
July 20, 1893. in which used the follow
ing language.
1T seems, therefore that when the
question Of territorial expansion shall be
presented. we ought to dispose of 1t on its
merits. II the acquisition OF the particu
lar territory offered should be helpful to
us let us take it il we can do so
honorably. But II the acquisition OF the
territory, by reason OF its remotenees
from the United States. or would involve
us in complications without sufficient cor
responding benent. we can refuse to take
It, because OF the evil consequences re-
sultng from It's acquisition and not be-
cause 1t Is wrong per Sc or undemocratlc
to extend our possessions or to enlarge our
boundaries"
That seemed to me then to be the logical
position OF the party, and one from which
1t could not safely depart The question
of the acquisition Of territory is largely
one of expedtency and policy The plat
form fairly combats the undemocratic
argument thnt we have reached the limit
of the acquisition Of territory, and that
We need no other Il keeps us In line with
the teachings Of the fathers, and relieves
MS from the necessity Of apologizing FOR
Mr.. Jefferson and those who agree with
him 1t Is well known that he earnestly
desired to acquire cuba, and that the dem
ocratlc party has always sympathiaed with
that desire.
~
To those who favor the retention OF
Puerto Rico by the United States govern
ment, the platform is all that can be de-
sired II explicitly declares for terri
torial form OF government for Puerto Rico
and Alaska. BY necessary implication,
therefore. It declares for the retention OF
Puerto Rico. 1t would be worse than Hog
ic1l--it would be absurdly fcolsh-for a