Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1900-10-04
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
Declaration of Principles Adopted by
the Democratic Convention
mt Kansas City.

the Democratic
Mt Kansas City.
Kansas City, Mo-, July 5.-The fol-
lowing is the platform as drawn by the
RESOLUTIONS committee, submitted to
the convention and adopted unani-
Z ously:
Imperialism.
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 the Declaration
of Independence, do reafirm our faith In
that immortal proclamation of the in
alienabIe rights of man and our allegiance
to the constitution framed in Tmo
Herewith by the fathers of the republic.
We hold with the United States su-
prene court that the Declaration Of In
dependence is the spirit of our govern
ment. of which the constitution IS the
form and letter.
instituted among men derive their Just
powers from the consent OF the gov
erned; that any s~oyerndnent not odsed
granny, and that to impose upon any
people a government of force is to substi-
tute methods of Imperialism for those OF
a republic
We hold that the constitution Follows
the flag, and denounce the doctrine that
an executive or congress, deriving their
existence and their powers from the con-
stitution, can exercise. lawful authority
K OANA = VI HI lOAdklO VI H.
We assert that no nation can long en-
dure half republic and half empire. and
we warn the American people that impe-
rialism abroad will lead quickly and in
evitably to despotism at home
Believing in these fundamental prin-
cipIes. we d%enounce the Porto Rice law,
enacted by a republican congress against
the protest and opposition of the dem
ocratic minority, as a bold and open viola
fagrant breach of the national good faith.
1T imposed upon the people of Forto
Rico a government without their consent
and taxation without representation. 1t
dishonorS the American people by repu-
dating a solemn pledge made in their be-
half by the commanding general of our
army. which the Porto Ricans welcomed
of their land. 1t doomed to poverty and
distress a people whose heIpIessness ap-
peais with peculiar force 20 our justice
and magnanimity. In this, the first act
publican party seeks to commit the Unit
ed States to a colonial policy, inconsistent
demned by the supreme court in numer-
GUS decisions.
Cuba and this Philippines.
We demand honest fulfllment of our
pledge to the Cuban people, that the
United States has no disposition or in
tention to exercise sovereignty or juris-
diction over the island except for it's pa
cifcation. The war ended two years ago,
and profound peace reigns all over the
island, and still the administration of
the island is withheld from its people
VIII ECpuDl1tdh CdEpSlDdS Ol14CAdlS nun
der its revenues and exploit the colonial
theory to the disgrace of the American
people; .bo pbr,,,,a ,o,,ou o .bo
present administration. 1t has embroiled
the republic in an unnecessary war. sac
rificed the lives of many of its noblesI
sons and placed the United States. pre-
yiously known and applauded throughout
the world as the champion of freedom.
in the false and un-American position of
crushing with military force the efforts
of our former allies TO achieve liberty and
Self-goVernment.
The FIlipinos can not be citizens with
out endangering our civilizations; they can
form OF government, and as we are not
convert the Republic into an empire.
We favor an Immediate declaration of
the nations purpose to give to. the Fill
ipinos. First, a stable from of govern
ment; second, independence. and third,
protection from outside interference such
as has been given for nearly a century to
the republics of Central and South Ameri-
The greedy commercialism which die
tated the Philippine policy of the re-
publican administration attempts to JUS
tify it with the plea that 1t will pay, but
even this sordid and unworthy plea fails
when brought to the test of facts
The war of criminal aggression against
the Filipinos. entailing an annual ex-
pense of many millions, has already cost
more than any possible profit that can
for years TO come. Furthermore, when
trade is EXTENDED at the expense of lib
erty, the price Is always too high.
IerrlIOr1aA Expansion.
We are not opposed TO territorial expan-
sion when it takes in desirable territory
which can be erected into states in the
Union. and whose people are willing ana fit
to become American citizens. We favor
trade expansion by peaceful and
legitimate means. But we are una:ter-
ably opposed to the Selling or purchanse
of 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 extended
not by force and violence. but through
the persuasive power of a high and non
orable example
The Burning Issue.
The Importance of other questions now
pending before the American people is
in no wise diminished, and the democratic
party takes no step from ig
position 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
situations.
We regard 1T as n paramount is
sue of the campaign.
4.