Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1900-07-07

ADOPTED At KANSAS CITY, THURSDAY. JULY 5rH)

republics influence among the ma
tions. but believe that influence should
be extended, not by force and violence
but through the persuasive power ol
high and honorable example.
The Paramount issue.
The Importance of other questions
now pending before the American
people is in no wise diminished, and
the democratic party takes no back
ward step from its position on them,
but the burning issue Of Imperialism,
growing out of the Spanish war. In
wolves the very existence of the repub-
lie and the destruction Of our free In
stitutions. We regard it as the para
mount issue of the campaign.
insincerity and Deception.
The declaration in the republican
platform adopted at the Philadelphia
convention held in June, 1900, that the
republican party "steadfastly adheres
to the policy announced in the Monroe
doctrine" is manifestly insincere and
deceptive. This profession is contra
dicted by the avowed policy Of the
party in opposition to the spirit of
the Monroe doctrine, to acquire and
hold sovereignty over large areas of
territory and large numbers Of people
in the eastern hemisphere We insist
on the strict maintenance of the Mon
roe doctrine, and on all its integrity,
in letter and in spirit, as necessary
to prevent the extension of European
authority on this continent, and as
essential to our supremacy in Ameri-
can affairs. At the same time we de-
clare that no American people shall
ever be held by force in unwilling
subsection to European authority.
Opposed to Militarism.
We oppose militarism. It means
conquest abroad and intimidation and
oppression at home. 1t means the
strong arm which has ever been fatal
to free institutions. 1t is what mil
lions of our citizens have fled from in
Europe. 1t will impose upon our
peace loving people large standing
n orrav nm r,nnoooceo,. ,.xr hurdo,, oe fayo
tion and a constant menace to their
liberties. A small standing army and
a well-disciplined state militia are
amply sufficient in time of peace. This
republic has no place for vast mill
tary service and conscription. When
the nation is in danger the volunteer
soldier is his country's best defender.
The national guard of the United
States should ever be cherished in the
patriotic hearts of a free people. Such
organizations are ever an element of
strength and safety. For the first
time in our history and coevil with the
Philippine contest has there been a
wholesale departure from our time
honored and approved system of vol
unteer organization. We denounce it
as un-American, un-democratic and un-
republican, and as subversion of the
ancient and fixed principles OF free
people.
Combinations Denounced.
Private monopolies are indefensible
and intolerable. They destroy com
petition, control the price of all ma
terial and finished product, thus rob
bing both producer and consumer.
They lessen the employment OF labor
and arbitrarily fix the terms and con
ditions thereof, and deprive individ-
ual energy and small capital of their
opportunity for betterment
They are the most efficient means
yet devised for appropriating the fruits
Of industry to the benefit of the few
at the expense of the many, and un-
less their insatiate greed is checked
all wealth will be aggregated in few
hands and the republic destroyed. The
dishonest paltering with the trust
evil by the republican party in state
and national platforms is conclusive
proof of the truth of the charge that
trusts are the legitimate product OF
republican policies. that they are fos.
tered by republican laws, and that they
are protected by the republican ad--
ministration in return for campaign