West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1900-05-10
RINGING RESOLUTIONS
Adopted by the Preston County
Democracy.
PREAMBLE.

the only basis upon which a truly
free, democratic government can
exist. Pro6ting by the history and
experience of all previous attempts,
OF the various peoples, and espec-
tally those of Greece and Rome, to
assert and maintain their right to
govern themselves and enjoy that
measure of liberty to which they
were entitled, the love of which was
implanted in their souls by God
himself. Our fathers, actuated by
the purest patriotism, and guided by
the wisdom apparently born of, and
for, the great epoch of our national
birth, CLEANED from the wrecks of
the past, all that was valuable and
capable of being woven into the
fabric they were about to build,
with safety and profit, and out of
their own great minds supplemented
all the political sagacity and wisdom
OF mans greatest efforts in the past,
with new thoughts, new plans, new
conceptions. far above and beyond
the highest ideals before conceived
by man. Consequently, the struc-
ture reared by them was essentially
unique, and its symmetry, solidity
and grandeur challenged the wonder
and admiration of the civilized
world, and at once became the bea-
con light and star of hope to the
down-trodden and oppressed of the
whole intelligent world The great
est eulogium ever pronounced upon
the men of that day, and their work,
was by the greatest orator and
statesman that England perhaps
ever produced-Sir William Pitt.
The fundamental propositions upon
which our Republic was founded
are: "That all men are by nature
created equal" that governments
ought to be founded upon the con-
sent of the governed-the people
That all men should be permitted to
enjoy the largest measure of per-
sonal and political freedom, COM
patible with the demands of organ
lied society, and consistent with the
rights of their fellowzmen; and that
no people or nation should be
forced to yield obedience to gov
eminent not of their own choice or
creation.
The Constitution, framed in pur-
suance of and based upon the prin-
ciples above set forth, has, since
the foundation of our government,
until very recent period, been the
guide and pole star of our political
and national life, Notwithstanding
the wide differences that have all
the time existed between the great
parties of the country, as to the wis
dom or propriety of certain meas
ures of public policy often amount
ing 10 bitterness. All parties have
always made it their aim and boast,
to keep strictly within the boun-
diaries of the Constitution, and 10
follow the wise and patriotic counsel
of the fathers. We view with
alarm, therefore, the fragrant disre-
gard, by the present administration,
of both the letter and spirit of the
Constitution, and a total departure
from the wise and patriotic advice
of the Father of his Country" and
his compatriots, of all shades of po-
litical opinion.
Therefore be it Resolved,
Ist. That we condemn the impe
realistic policy of the Mckinley ad-
ministration, as unwarranted, un-
wise, unpatriotic, and tending to
undermine and destroy our republi-
can form of government, unless
speedily checked by the voice Of
the people at the ballot box.
end. RESOLVED, That we con
denim the policy of the administra-
ton in its treatment of the people
of Porto Rico, as being contrary to
the Constitution and the Declaration
of independence, and indirect vio
lation of the governments pledges
to that people.
3rd. RESOLVED, That while we
condemn the Philippine policy of
the administration as unwise, un-
warranted and contrary to the spirit
of our policy and institutions, we
are Justly proud of our gallant and
patriotic soldiers and sailors, and
rejoice at their successes and glory
in their achievements.
4th. RESOLVED, That the Democ-
racy of Preston is unanimously in
favor of VIM. J. Bryan as the nomi-
nee of the party for President.
r. w. MONROE, Chairman,
II. NJ. GRIMES,
JOHN O. WHETsELL,
GEo. M. SHAFFER,
john A. WOLFE,
J. M. BUcENER,
J. II. WALLS,
T.. NJ. WILLIAMS.
The ri.