The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-07-06
WILLIAM j. BRYAN.

brought TO the test OF racts. Inc war vi
'!criminal aggression against the Fill
pinos, entailing an annual expense OF
many millions, has already cost more
than any possible profit that could accrue
from the entire Philippine trade for years
to come. Furthermore, when trade is ex'
tended ut the expense of liberty the price
is always too high.
We are not opposed to territorial ex
pansion when it takes in desirable terri,
rory which can be erected into states in
the union and whose people are willing
and fit to become American citizens. We
favor trade expansion by every peaceful
and legitimate means, but we are unalter
ably opposed to the seizing or purchasing
oI distant islands to be governed outside
the constitution and whose people can
never become citizens.
We are in favor of extending the re-
public's influence among the nations, but
believe that influence should be ex-
tended not by force and violence, but
through the persuasive power of high
and honorable example.
Imperialism 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 ba' Sward step from its po-
sition on them, but the burning issue of
imperialism growing out of the Spanish
war involves the very existence of the re-
public and the destruction of our free in
stitutions. We regard it as the para
mount issue of the campaign.
The declaration iii the Republican plat
form adopted at the Philadelphia conver-
tiou held in June 1900. that the Repub-
f,. Al
policy announced in the Monroe doc
trine, is manifestly insincere and decep-
! 1--WE This profession is contradicted by
the avowed policy of that party in opposi-
ton to the spirit of the Monroe doctrine,
to acquire and hold sovereignty over
large areas of territory and large mum
bers of people in the eastern hemisphere
We insist on the strict maintenance of
the Monroe doctrine in al its integrity
both in letter and in spirit, as necessary
to prevent the extension of Europeal
authority on this continent and essential
to our supremacy III American affairs.
At the same time t1e declare that no
| American people shall ever be held by
force in unwilling subsection to European
authority
We oppose militarism. 1t means con-
quest abroad and intimidation and op-
preston at home. 1t means the strong
arm which has ever been fatal to free in
stitutions. 1t is what millions of our cit
liens have fled from in Europe. 1T will
impose upon our peace loving people Il
large standing army, and unnecessary
burden of taxation and IL constant menace
to their liberties. a small standing army
and IL we'll disciplined state militia are
amply sufficient in time of peace This
republic has no place for IL vast military
service and conscription When the ma
ton 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 II
free people. Such organizations are ever
! an element of strength ana safety For
the first time in our history, and coeval
with the Philippine conquest, has there
been Il Wholesale departure from our
time honored and approved system of vol
unteer organization. We denounce it rs
1 un-American, undemocrati" and uure-
publican and us II subverSion of the an
cient and fixed principles of II free people.
Pledge War on Trusts.
Private monoplies are indefensible and
intolerable. They destroy com petition.
control the price of all material and of
the finished product, thus robbing both
producer and consumer. They lessen the
employment of labor and arbitrarily fix
the terms and conditions thereof and de
prive individual energy and small capital
of their opportunity for bctterment
They are the most efficient means yet
devised for appropriating the fruits of in
dusrry to the benefit of the few at the ex-
pense of the many and unless their insati-
ute greed is checked all wealth will be
aggregated in u few hands and the re-
public destroyed. The dishonest palter-
inc. with the trust evil by the Republican