The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1900-07-12
Democratic Platform.

convention nail, hhlfhS Oltyi JulJ
5.-The following is the official text of
the platform as agreed upon by the
committee on resolutions and as adopt
ed by the convention by acclamation
this afternoon at O'Clock:
We, the representatives of the demo-
cratic party of the United States, as
sembled in national convention on the
anniversary of the adoption of the
Declaration of independence, do reaf-
firm our faith in that immortal procla-
nation of the inalienable rights Of man
and our allegiance to the constitution
framed in harmony Herewith by the
fathers of the republic. We hold with
the United States supreme court that
the Declaration of Independence is the
spirit of our government, of which the
constitution is the form and letter.
We declare again that all govern
ments instituted among men derive
their just powers from the consent Of
the governed; that any government not
based upon the consent of the governed
is tyrany and that to impose upon
any people government of science is
to substitute the methods of imperial
ism for those of republic
We hold that the constitution fol-
lows the flag and. denounce the doe
trine that an executive or congress de-
irving their existence and their powers
from the constitution can exercise law
full authority beyond 1t, or in violation
of it. We assert that no nation can
long endure half republic and half EN-.
pire, and we warn the American peo-
pie that imperialism abroad will lead
quickly and inevitably to despotism at
home.
Believing in these principles, we de-
nounce the Porto Rico law, enacted by
a republican congress against the pro-
fest and opposition of the democratic
minority, as D bold and open violation
of the nations organic law and flag
rant breach of the national good faith.
1t imposes upon the people of Porto
Rico government without their con-
, sent, and taxation without representa-
tion 1t dishonors the American peo-
pie by repudiating solemn pledge
made in their behalf by the command
ing general of our army, through which
Porto Ricans allowed the peaceful and
unresisted occupation of their land. II
| doomed to poverty and distress peo.
people whose helplessness appeals with
peculiar force to our justice and mag
nanlmity.
In this, the first act Of its imperial
istic program, the republican party
seeks to commit the United States to a
colonial policy, inconsistent with re-
publican institutions and condemned
by the supreme court in numerous de-
cisions.
We demand the prompt and honest
fulfillment of our pledges to the Gu
ban people and the world. The United
States has no disposition or intention
to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction
or control over the island of Cuba, ex
cept for its pacifcation. The war end
ed, nearly two years ago, profound peact
reigns over all the whole island an(
still the administration keeps the gov
ernment of the island from its people
while republican carpet bag oficial
plunder its revenues and exploit tn,
colonial theory to the disgrace of thl
American people.
We condemn and denounce the Phil
ippine policy of the present administra
tion. II hos involved the republic un
necessarily in war, sacrificed the live
of many of our noblest sons, ant
placed the United States, previousl,
known and applauded throughout th
world as the champion Of freedom, il
the false and un-American position 0
crushing with military force the effort
of our former allies, to achieve libert
and self-government.
The Filipinos can not be citizen
without endengering our civilization
They can not be subjects without i'm
periling our form of government, an
as we are not willing to surrender on
civilization or to convert the republi
into an empire, we favor an immediat
declaration o.. the nations purpose t
give the Filipinos first a stable form {
government, secondly independents
and third protection from outside ii
reference such as has been given fC
. nearly century to the republics
t Central and South America.
"The greedy commercialism whic
dictated the Philippine policy of the n
publican administration attempts |
Justify with the plea that it will pa,
but even this sordid and unworthy plt
fails, when brought to the test of fact