Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-07-10
Democratic Platform.
Imperialism the Paramount Issue
MiIitarism Denounced-N Tariff
for the Trusts Sixteen-to-
One Plank Sympathy for
the Beers, Etc.

cratic party of the United States, assem-
bled in national convention, on the ami
versary OF the adoption of the Declaration
of independence. do reafirm our faith II
that immortal proclamation of the inalien
able rights of man and our allegiance tc
the Constitution framed in harmony there
with by the fathers of the Republic We
hold with the United States Supreme
Court that the Declaration of Independ
ence is the spirit of our government, OF
which the Constitution is the form and
letter.
We declare again that all govern
ments instituted among men derive their
just powers from the consent of the gov.
erned; that any government not based
upon the consent of the governed is a ty-
ranny, and that to impose upon any peo-
pie government of force is to substitute
the methods of Imperialism for those of a
republic. We hold that the Constitution
follows the flag, and denounce the doc
trlne that an Executive or Congress, de
irving their existence and their powers
from the Constitution, can exercise lawful
authority beyond it or in violation of it.
I'VE assert that no nation an1ong en-
dure half republic and half empire, and
we warn the American people that impe-
rialism abroad will lead quickly and in
evitably to despotism at home.
PORTO R1cAN LAW DENOUNCED.
Believing in these fundamental prin-
cIples, we denounce the Porto Rican law,
enacted bya Republican Congress against
the protest and opposition of the Demo
cratic minority, as bold aud open viola
ton of the nations organic law and a fla
grant breach of the national good faith.
It imposes upon the people of Porto Rico
a government without their consent and
taxation without representation. 1t dis
honors the American people by repudia-
ting a solemn pledge made in their behalf
by the commanding general of our army,
which the Porto Ricans welcomed to a
peaceful and unresisted occupation of
their land. 1t doomed to poverty and
distress a people whose helplessness ap-
peals with peculiar force to our justice
and magnanimitY.
In this, the first act of its imperialistic
program, the Republican party seeks to
commit the United States to a colonial
policy. inconsistent with republican insti-
tutions and condemned by the Supreme
Court in numerous decisions.
CUBA AND THE PHILIPPINES.
we demand the prompt and honest
tulfIlment of our pledge to the Cuban
people and the world that the United
States has no disposition nor intention to
exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or con.
troll over the Island of Cuba except fol-
its pacifcation. The war ended nearly
two years ago, profound peace reigns
over all the island. and still the Admins.
tration keeps the government of the is.
land from its people. while Republican
carpet-baR officials plumber its revenues
and exploit the colonial theory, to the dis
grace of the American people
eve, condemn and denounce the Philip.
pine policy of the present Administration.
1t has involved the Republic in unneces-
sary war, sacrificed the lives of many OF
our noblest sons aud placed the United
States, previously known and applauded
throughout the world as the champion OF
freedom, in the false and un- American po.
sition of crushing with military force the
efforts of our former allies to achieve lib.
erty and self government. The Filipinos
cannot be citizens without endangering
our civilization they cannot be subjects
without imperiling our form of govern
ment, and as we are not willing to sur
render our civilization OF to convert the
Republic into an empire, We favor an
immediate declaration. of the nation 5
purpose to give the Filipinos, first, q
stable form of government; second, IN.
dependence, and third. protection from
outside interference, such as has beer
given for nearly century to the repnb
lies of Central and South America.
The greedy commercialism which die
tated the Philippine policy of the Repub
lican Administration attempts to justify
it with the plea that it will pay, but ever
this sordid and unworthy plea fails wher
brought to the test of facts. The war o
criminal aggression against the Filipinos
entailing an annual expense of many mil
lions. has already cost more than any pos
sible profit that could accrue from the en-
tire Philippine trade for years to come
Furthermore, when trade is extended a
the expense of liberty the price. Is a1way
too high.
FOR EXPANSION. NOT IMPERIALISM.
I'VE are not opposed to territorial ex
pansion when it takes in desirable terri
tory which can be erected into States il
the Union and whose people are willing
and fit to become American citizens. w
fayoS expansion by every peaceful an,
legitimate means. But we are unalterabl
opposed to seizing OF purchasing d1stan
islands to be governed outside the Consti
tuition and whose people can never be
come citizens.
We are in favor of extending the Re
publie's influence among the nations, bu
believe that influence should be extende
!. not by force and violence but throug
: the pursuasive power of high and hor
orable example.