Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1900-06-14
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.

The Platform as adopted by the
Convention, which met in Balti-
more on the 9TH instant, is as
follows
"Ihe reunited democracy Of Ma
ryland. having regained political
control Of the State temporarily
lost to MS four years ago by reason
OF divisions--now happily healed
in our ranks, send greetings to our
brethren Of the great Democratic
party in all sections Of the Union,
and pledge to them our hearty CO.
operation in the patriotic work of
rescuing our Federal Government
from the dangers which it is men
aced by a continuance Of tho revo-
lutionarY policy of President Nc
Knley and his supporters.
owe reailirm our allegiance to
the principles Of the party as for
mulated by jefferson and exempIi-
fed by Madison and jackson. As
the nation advances and develops,
new issues are presented and old
issues disappear, bat the fuuda-
mental principles Of Democracy,
born Of human needs and Graded
in events
"Tho preservation Of peraonal
liberty,
"Tbe equality Of all citizens be-
fore he Law,
Freedom OF speech,
"Freedom OF tho press,
Freedom OF conscience.
"The reserved rights Of the States.
"Aud the supremacy Of the Fed.
eral Government within the limits
Of the Constitutional remain
untouched by the vicissitndes OF
time and evolutious, and will ever
stand as the best and only guaran-
tee Of tho perpetuation Of free in
situations.
owe declare that all govern
monts instituted among men derive
their just power from the consent
Of the governed
"That any government not based
upon the consent o! the governed
ia tyranny.
CONSTITUTION FOLLOWS FLAG.
owe hold that the Constitution
follows the flag, and denounoo the
doctrine that Congress or the Exc
cutiye can exercise lawful authori-
ity in violation Of the Constitution.
1--WE assert that no nation can
long endure half republic and bali
empire. Imperialism in any sec
ton Of our domain will lead quickly
and inevitably to despotism at home.
eve are unaItorably opposed to
a large standing army in time OF
peace.
THE REPUBLIC IE DANGER.
believing that our most cher
ished institutions are in grave peril
and that the very existence Of the
Constitutional Republic is at stake,
we feel that in the presence Of these
great dangers Democrats every.
where should lay aside their differ
ences as to the percentage OF duties
on imports, the number Of grains
Of silver in the dollar, and upon
other Issues Of subordinate import
anco in the present crisis, and unite
in a resolute and determined effort
to stay the overwhelming progress
Of radical errors in regard to the
nature Of our government inaugu-
rated by President Mckinley and
the Republican party.
owe declare our firm belief that
the safety and true glory Of our
country and the stability Of our
very institutions depend upon a
strict and rigid adherence to the
principles and practices of the faith
ers Of the Republic.
IMPERIALISM.
Colonial expansion and military
occupation and control OF remote
islands of the sea under the orders
OF the President, as commanders in
chief of the army and navy, have
no place in our constitutional system
of government.
"The Democratic party has al
ways favored territorial expansion,
when the territory 30 acquired can