The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-06-08


stitutional Republic is at stake, we
feel that in the presence of these
great dangers Democrats everywhere
should lay aside their differences IS
to the percentage of duties on i'm
ports, the number of grains of silver
in the dollar, and upon other issues
of subordinate Importance in the
present crisis, and unite in resolute
and determined effort TO stay the
overwhelming progress of radical er-
rors in regard to the nature of our
government inaugurated bV President
Mckinley and the Republican party.
1--WE declare our firm belief that the
safety and true glory of our country
and the stability of our very institu
tions depend upon q strict and rigid
adherence to the principles and
practices of the fathers of the Re
public.
Colonial expansion and military
occupation and control of remote
islands of the sea under the orders of
the President, as commander-in-ch chief
of the army and navy, have no place
in our constitutional system of gov
eminent.
1.-The Democratic party has always
favored territorial expansion, when
the territory so acquired can be
erected into States of the Union and
whose people can become American
citizens, but we denounce the forciole
annexation of foreign territory, ex-
cept as coaling or naval stations with
no purpose of forming it into Il State
or States of the Union, or admitting
its inhabitants to the protection of
tho Constitution and lqxva
1--WE are in favor of extending the
Republics influence among the ma
tions, but we believe that that ipfiu-
ence should be extended, not by force
and violence, but, as heretofore,
high and honorable example.
I'VE cling to the cardinal doctrine
that the Constitution is a supreme
law of the land, and that no law pass
ed by Congress for the government OF
colonies, acquired by purchase, vol
untary annexation or conquest by
arms, is of any validity or force what
soevsr, unless warrant for it can be
found in the letter and spirit of the
Constitution.
I'VE denounce, therefore, the re-
cent Porto Rico act as a pulpable
and dangerous usurpation of power,
passed in wanton and partisan disre-
| gard of the plain duty of Congress
| and APP ,;roved by President McKin-
ley in open and painful violation of
his public and official declaration Of
our duty and obligation of our fellow
citizens Of Porto Rico and to the
whole American Union.
I'VE favor trade expansion by every
legitimate and peaceful means and
by provi ing every facility and pro-
lection for its extension.
We favor the immediate construc-
ton and control Of the Nicaragua
canal by the United State. We con
denim the action of President Ne
Kinley and the Secretary of State in
the treaty with Great Britain which
surrenders our right to defend the
canal when constructed.
with Jefferson we believe in peace,
commerce and honest friendship with
all nations and entangling alliances
with none. We will not tolerate any
interference on the part of any
European nation in our relations with
the republics south of US.
I'VE denounce the wide and fatal
departure of the Republican party
from the true theory and time honored
policy of the Government, and we
call on all those who desire to pre-
serve in its original integrity the price
less inheritance Of constitutional
liberty bequeathed to us by our
fathers to join with us in a manly and
vigorous Reputation of the dangerous
and detestable heresies inaugurated
by President Mckinley and his party.
I'VE recognize with gratitude and
pride the heroic fortitude and courage
Of the officers and men of our splendid
army and navy and the brilliant
achievements by which they have
added new glory to our flag.
while restrained by the principles
of international law anj by the prac.
tice of our Government from interior
ence in the war now being waged be-
tween Great Britain and the republics
of South Africa, we cannot withhold
theexpression of our the
Beers in their heroic struggle and our
earnest hope that an honorable peace
may soon be established without loss
to them of the independence for which
they have so CALAMITY fought.s
Having full faith in the wisdom of
the delegates selected this day to re-
present the Democracy of this State
in the National Convention, which
will assemble in Kansas City, No., on
July next, and conforming to the
usages of the party in Maryland, we
decline to give speci fic instructions,
believing that the best results for the
party and the Union will be secured
by their free and untramlneled con-
ference with the delegates represent
ing the other States OF the nation.
But we note and record the fact
that, with unparalleled unanimity, the
Democrats in county State conven.
tions have signified their desire that
William Jennings Bryan shall again
be selected to lead the Democrats and
all others who will join us in the effort
to restore constitutional government
and who favor the Republic and op.
pose the Empire.
His election will be the surest
guarantee that legitimate business
enterprises will be perfectly protected
but that trusts and combines, which
seek to ulijustly monopolize trade and
Industry, which destroy competition,
which arbitrarily increase prices to
the consumers, which lessen the EN-
ployment of labor and which deprive
individual energy and small capital of
their opportunity for betterment, shall
be regulated and controlled. and that
the excessive aud unequal taxation
imposed by the Republican party
shall be repealed.
when these great rights shall have
been fully secured the minor policies
Of the general government will be
dealt with SO as to secure for all the
people equal opportunity to partici
pate in the benefits of the Govern
ment.
"Congratulating ourselves upon the
return of the Democracy to power in
Maryland, we heartily acknowledge
the thoroughness. and fidelity with