St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1900-07-14

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the republics of Central and South
America.
We further favor tlade expansion by
every peaceful and legitimate means,
bpt we are unalterably opposed to the
Selling or purchasing of distant lands,
to be governed outs ide OF the Constitu-
ton, and whose people can never be
COVE We are not opposed tdterritorial ex-
pansion when it takes in desirable
territory which cap be erected into
states in the Uuion, and whose people
are willing and tit to become American
citizens.
This is the true doctrine OF
Democracy. It does not teach the
political and social fitness Of all
races and peoples for equality in
citizenship, hut it declares that
those races which are unfit for the
exercise OF such frachises and assoc
citation should not be incorporated
into the political system of the
country. The Republican party. on
the contrary, IS the author OF the
claim that all races and peoples are
equal in their adaptedness to Ameri-
can citizenship, q doctrine that is
most fatal to the preservation OF
constitutional liberty. Continuing,
the Democratic platform says;
We oppose militarism. It means con-
quest abroad and intimidation and OPP
preston at home. It means the strong
army which has ever been fatal to free
institutions. 1t is what millions of our
citizens have fed from in Europe. IL
will impose upon our peace-loying peo-
ple large standing army and unneceS-
sary burden of taxation and q constant
menace to their liberties. A small
standing army and a well diciplined
State militia are amply sufficient in time
Of peace. This Republic has no place
for a vast military service and con-
scrjption. When the nation is in danger
the volunteer soldier is his country's
best defender. The national guard of
the United States should ever be cher
ished in the patriotic hearts Of free
people. Such organizations are ever
an element of strength and safety. For
the first time in our history, and coeval
with the PHILIPPINES conquest, has there
been q wholesale departure from our
time honored AMI approved system OF
volunteer organization. We denounce
it as un-American, undemocratic and
unre publican, and a subversion of the
ancient and fixed principles Of q free
people.
Every patriotic American citizen
must give to these expressions
mos: hearty applause. They do not
oppose proper expansion Of the ma
tional territory, but it mus. be ac-
quired under conditions consistent
with the preservation Of the free
institutions as well as the honor OF
the nation. Nothing should be done
for glory; but let all the glory
achieved by the national arms be
accomplished IN the maintenance
and preservation Of the Republic.
The utterance on the subject OF
'Trusts" is admirable:
We pledge the Democratic party to
an unceasing warfare in nation, state
o~A nsN CT 70 " N
every form. Existing laws against
trusts must be enforced, and more
stringent ones must be enacted provid-
ing for more publicity as to affairs OF
corporations engaged in interstate com
merce, and requiring all corporations to
show, before doing business outside Of
the State of their origin, that they have
no water i'm their stock, and that they
have not attempted aud are not at
tempting to mOnopolize any branch of
business, or the production of any arti-
cles of merchandise, and the whole
constitutional power of congress over
Interstate commerce, the mails and al
modes of interstate communication
shall ne exercised by the enactment Of
comprehensive laws upon the subject o
trusts. Tariff laws should be amended
ed BY putting the products of trusts
upon the free list, to prevent monopoly
under the plea of protection.
Here are no restrictions calcu-
lated to drive capital GU. Of tie
country; but what is demanded is
that competition shall not be
crushed out. AND that sill trusts
shall be subjected to publicity
that win prevent all fraudulen: con-
cealments of their condition. This
plank in the national Democratic
platform is commended to the radi-
Cal theorists IN the Louisiana State
Legislature.
The platform speaks up for the
maintenance Of the Monroe Doc
trine. 1t favors the construction OF
an inter-oceanic ship cansl. which
shall be American in every sense Of
the WORT. 1t contains important
expressions on various matters Of
great public interest, and is entirely
free from the socialistic suggestions
that have been too freely lndulyed
in by some Democrats for several
years past. With the exception Of
the silver plank. which IL = mere
concession ~ past prejudice, and
has no real meaning aad no e4-