The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1900-07-11


ment
The subcommittee gave brief
hearing to Mrs. Gait, president Of the
Equal Suffrage asso on In favor Of
plank recommending an amendmeht 10
the constitution.
When the full committee convened at
IL a. m. the subcommittee presented
a complete draft of the platform as
tentatively agreed upon. While there
was no criticism of the work of the
subcommittee or of general sentiment
of the various planks, several of the
members manifested disposition to
make changes in the phraseology and
also In the order of presenting the var
ious subjects to be embodied In the
declaration of principles.
The members who had led the fight
against 16 to 1 declaration requested
an explicit declaration of superior i'm
portance, attaching to other than the
financial issue and the silver men de-
cided to make this Issue.
In accordance with the decision the
place of front rank was given to tho
subject of imperialism and to ques-
tions growing out of the Spanish war.
These subjects including imperial
ism, militaryism, Cuba, the Philippines
and Porto Rico occupy fully half of the
declaration, beginning with an asser-
tlon of their paramount and supreme
Importance and declaring that while
other issues are vital, the question Of
Imperialism strikes at the existence of
the republic
A change was also decided upon tho
declaration regarding the Chicago plat
form and the coinage of silver. This
declaration is placed we'll down in the
body of the platform and the language
| is changed considerably. The intro
ductory phrase of this declaration as
originally presented was changed by
striking out the words 1--WE reaffirm
the Chicago platform in whole and in
part and in letter and in spirit" and 1t
Is made to read as follows: I'VE re-
affirm and endorse the principles of tho
platform adopted by the Democracy in
convention assembled in 1896"
This is followed by positive decla-
ration for free coinage of the precious
metals and this in turn by strong de.
nunciation of the gold standard legis-
lation of the last congress.
THE PLATFORM.
Principles For Which the Democrats
We, the representatives. of the Demo
cratic party of the United states, assem-
| bled In national convention, on the ami
versary OF the adoption of tho Declaration
of Independence, do rcnffirm our faith in
that immortal proclamation OF tue inallen-
able rights of man, and our allegiance to
the constitution, framed III harmony there
| with by the fathers of the republic. We
hold with the United States supreme court
| that the Declaration of Independence iH
| the spirit of our government, of which
| tNNNNt ip f.NrF1N md lnNN
We declare again that all governments
instituted among men derive their just
powers from the consent of the governed;
that any government not based upon the
consent OF the governed Is tyranny, and
| that to Impose upon any. people n govern
| ment OF force Is to substitute the methods
of Imperialism for those of n republic. We
hold that the constitution follows the flag,
and denounce the doctrine that exocu-
tive or congress- deriving their existence
and their powers from the constitution,
can exercise lawful authority beyond 1t,
or In violation OF 1t. We assert that no ma
| tion can long endure half republic and half
empire, and warn the American people that
| Imperialism abroad Will lead quickly and
| Inevitably to despotlsm at home.
Believing in these Fundamental principles,
we dcnounce the Porto Rico law, enaoted
by u Republican congress- against the pro.
test and opposition of the Democratic MI
nority, bold and open violation of the
| nations organic law, aud lnErant breach
of the national good faith. 1t Imposes upon
tho people * Porto Rico a government
| without theit consent and taxation with
| out representation. 1t dishonors the Amer
loan people bg repudinting solemn pledge
| mndo in their behalf by the commanding
| cans welcomed to a peaceful and unresiSted
| occupation of their land. 1t doomed to
poverty and distress people whose help
lessness appeals with peculiar force to our
Justice and mRgnanimity.
Imperialistic Program.
In this the first act of Its lmperalistlc
program. the Republican pnrty seeks to
commit the United states to colonial
policy, Inconsistent with the Republican in
ftltutIOns and condemned by the supreme
court in numerous decisions.
we demand the prompt and honest full.
Allment of our pledge to the Cuban people
and the world that the United States has
no disposition nor intention to exercise
sovereignty, jurisdiction or control over the
| Island of Cuba, except for Its pncihcation.
The war ended nearly two years ago.
profound pence rciGns over all the Island,
and still the administration keeps the gov
| ernmcnt OF the island from Its people,
while Republican cnrpet-bag officials plum
der Its revenues and exploit the colonial
9heory to the disgrace of the American
people.
We condemn and denounce the Philippine
policy OF the present administration. 1t
has involved the republic In unnecessary
war, sacrificed the lives of many of our
| noblest sons and placed the United Statoss
previously known and appl0uded through
out the world as the champion of freedom,
| in the false and un-Amerlcan position OF
crushing with military force the efforts of
our former allies to achieve liberty and
| self-government.
The FIliplnos can not be citizens without
endangerIng our civilization; they can not
be subjects without imperlllng our form
| of government, and not willing
to surrender our civilization or to convert
the republic Into an empire, we favor an
Immediate declaration OF the nations pur-
pose to give to the TlllpinOs, lrst, a stable
form of government; second, independence
and, third, protection from outside inter
ference, such as has becn given for nearly
century to the republics of Central and
South America.
Greedy Commercialism.
The greedy commerclalism which dictated
the philippine policy of the Republican adj
| mInIstratlon attempts to Justify 1t with the
plea that 1t viii pay, but cvon this sordld
and unworthy plea falls when brought TO
the test of facts.
The war of 'crlminal aggression" against
the Fllipinos, 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