The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-07


Daily average Sunday, 1o.c0s. excepted. <2,2s
The Democratic Platform md the
Democratic Candidate.
Heretofore we have predicted that in the
struggle Of 1900 Mr.. Bryan himself. rather
than a formal declaration of principles
would be the Democratic. platform. We
have now to amend that opinion by saying
that the Kansas City platform and candi-
date are homogeneous and absolutely on
ali fours with each other. The candidate
cheerfully and wholly endorses the plat
form, and the platform represents the
views and purposes of the candidate. There
Is complete agreement between them, and
both are plainly and convincingly honest
and sincere II is this element of fearless
s;raiehtforwardness that will tend to at
tract the independent, unmuzzled vote OF
the country. which always constitutes the
balance Of power in Presidential elections,
TO the Democratic ticket in the present
year. When the Kansas City platform.
with its clear ar!i unmistakable denuncia-
ton of trusts, and its plan for their re-
preston; with its arraignment of Repub-
lican carpetbag Imperialism, exemplifed in
the violation of the Federal Constitution
by the party that Porto Rico might be en-
shaved for the benefit of exploiting monop-
olies; and with its ringing Indictment of
the national bank money trust and other
abuses of power and opportunity by the
financial and industrial oligarchy behind
the national boss, Mark Hanna, is COM
pared with the apologize, evasive, and
hypocritical Philadelphia platform, it
should not be a question which the decent
o...;-en will accept as his political gospel.
Really there is but one prime issue in
the struggle of 1900. 1t is the trusts and
all the others grow out of it But for the
trusts, which forced Mr.. Mckinley and his
adherents in Congress to violate the Con-
stitution and to depart from our plain
duty to Porto Rico" there would have
been little heard of that question. There
never was the slightest reason why Porto
Rico should not have been received as g
regular Territory Of the United States, I'M
der the Constitution, and treated at ieas,
as well as the Distric. Of Columbia in
h. ~
its people, but for the fact that the oil
sugar, tobacco, and rum barons demanded
that the island should be considered for
eign country In order that its domestic
trade with other portions Of the United
States should be subjected to tariff taxation
for their benefit. 1t is notorious that it
was Mr.. McKinleys intention to govern
Porto Rico under the terms. provisions, and
prohibitions of the Constitution, because
he knew that there could be but one opin-
ion as TO their meaning, and that bis oath
Of Office made 1t mandatory upon him TO
obey them. But, In this case, the threat
of the trusts to withhold their campaign
contributions was more potent 'thsz con-
science. Says the Kansas City platform:
eve hold that the Constitution follows the flag
and denounce the doctrine that an Executive or
Congress deriving their existence and their powers
from the Constitution, exercise lawful
thority beyond it or in violation OF 1t.
1--WE assert that nation long endure
half republic and half empire, and we warn the
American people that imperialism abroad will
lead quickly and inevitably to despotism at
home''
the American people allow their unworthy
servants to treat Porto Rico as they are
doing the same methods, later, will be ap-
piled in the Philippines and finally in the
United States The platform continues.
Relieving in these fundamental principles we
dsnounce the Porto Rico law, enacted by Re-
publican Congress against the protest and opposi
tion Of the Democratic minority, a bold and
open violation Of the nations organic law and
fragrant breach Of the national good faith II
imposes upon the people Of Porto Rico govern
ment without their consent and taxation without
representation. II dishonors the American people
BY repudiating solemn pledge made in their
behalf by the Commanding General Of our Army
which the Porto Ricans welcomed to a peaceful
and unresis,ed occupation Of their land. 1t doom
ed to poverty and distress a people whose help
lessness appeals with peculiar force 10 our justice
and magnaninity. In this, the first act Of its
imperialistic programme, the Republican party
seeks to commit the United States to colonial
and condemned by the Supreme Court in numerous
decisions
We are in hearty sympathy with the
plank devoted to Republican mendacity in
regard to the Monroe Doctrine. 1t says
that "the declaration of the Republican
platform adopted at the Philadelphia Con-
vention. held in June, 1900. that the Re-
publican party steadfastly adheres TO the
policy announced in the Monroe Doctrine
IS manifestly insincere and deceptive"
The Hay Pauncefote Treaty is proof posi-
tive that the Republican party and the
Mckinley Administration are determined
upon the destruction Of the Monroe Doc
trine.
Every voter in the nation who cares for
the perpetuity Of free institutions and the
privilege to the citizen Of earning his
bread otherwise than as serf of moaop-
oily, will be cheered by the battle cry OF
the Kansas City platform against the
trusts While the Philadelphia platform
'driveled" away from the issue under
bsver Of . few meaningless phrases. the