The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1900-04-26
TIE ISSUES OF TIE DEMOCRATIC
PARTY IN THE COMING CAMPAIGN
BY Adla E. Stevenson, Former Vice President
OF the United States.

issues OF the contest are even now
plainly toresbadowed. The party now
In power will stand for a high protect
i've tari6--for the class legislation
which has enriched the few at the ex
pense of the many; for the legislation
inspired by greed which has brought
colossal fortunes to its benehciaries by
increasing the cost of every needed
article of consumption. 1t will stand
In reallty-whatever be the mild con-
demnation in platform-for the trusts.
The unlawful combinations of capital,
which today threaten the destruction
of legitimate business enterprise, will
find their only defenders in the Re
publican party. Abandoning its pre-
tense in the platform of 1896, it will
stand in unequvocal hostility to BIZ
metallsm IN any shape or form, its
ultimate object the destruction of
silver. 1t will favor, as our perman-
ent governmental policy, the main
tenance of large standing army. The
extravagant appropriations by Con-
gress will find justification and pave
the way for greater ex,ravagance--for
yet heavier burdens Of taxation to
follow. While in platform favoring
the civil service law, it will unhesitat
lngy lndorse its unblushing violation
by the present administration. And,
as the clearest departure from the
wise policy Of the founders of the
government-from all the traditions
of the past: will stand for imperial
ism-"the spirit of empire"
In unrelentlng hostility to all this,
the Democratic party-faithful to the
tenets of Jefferson-will stand for
'tariff for revenue only;" for reduc-
tion to the minimum to the people of
the cost of every needed article of
| consumption. 1t will stand IN reality
as well as In its platform the antag-
onist OF trusts. Believing that "wher
ever there is a wrong there is
remedy" it will favor such legislation
as will seek to curb the spirit of mon
| opoly and place an effectual check up
on the unlawful combinations OF cap
ltal, which are obstacles to legitimate
business enterprise and investment
and menace to the existence Of
| popular government. Adhering to
the heretofore declared belief of all
parties in bimetalllsm, it will seek,
under the safeguards of wise leglsla-
ton, 10 restore silver to its proper
place IN our monetary system. 1t will
oppose the creation and maintenance
of large standing army in time of
peace. Believing with Jefferson in
an economical administration of the
government, it will oppose unneces-
sary and extravagant appropriations
of the public money. 1t will observe
in letter and in spirit the civil service
law and oppose its violation to the
end that places be provided as re-
wards for partisan service. Believing
| that the experience OF century has
demonstrated the wisdom of "avoid-
ing foreign complications and entang-
ling alliances" it will oppose imperi-
alism. In word, it will be the high
aim of the party OF Jefferson and Of
| Jackson to supplant dangerous ex-
periments, reckless extravaganza and
corruption with economical and con-
stltutional methods of administration
in all departments of the government.
The Democratic party, with creed
clearly defined, again enters upon a
struggle to regain political power. 1t
stands the champion of the great de-
claration penned by Jefferson; the de-
fender of the Constitution, whose
salient features are in large measures
the handiwork of Madison. We be-
lieve, as did our fathers, that "gov-
Fernments derive their just powers from
the consent of the governed" A be
lief in the inalienable rights of all
people is with us living faith. Our
sympathy has ever been with the op-
pressed; with those who were strug-
| Cling for larger measure of freedom
for self government. For this reason
our government was among the first
to extend recognition 10 the republics
of France and Mexico; prompt to ex-
tend our sympathy as well as official
recognition to the little South Ameri'
can States in their efforts to throw of
the despotlsm of Spain and TO estab
lish for themselves representative
governments fashioned after our own
History has but repeated itself, anc
the struggle to maintain Tree govern
ment has--a century and quarter
after the proclamation Of our Declara
ton of Independence-been trans
ferred from the New World to th'
little Dutch republics of South Africa
The Monroe doctrine is wholesome
and enduring 1t is the faith o
Americans of every creed and party
is of the very warp and woof of ou