Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-07-10
NEW SERIES, VOL. XxXv, NO. IS.
The rARAatouNr ISSUE. /"

The PARAMOUNT ISSUE"
The Importance of other questions
now pending before the American people
is no wise diminished and the Democratic
party takes no backward step from its
position on them, but the burning isse of
imperialism growing out of the Spanish
War involves the very existence of the
Republic and the destruction of our free
institutions. We regard it as the para
mount issue of the campaign.
The declaration in the Republican
platform adopted at the Philadelphia Con-
vention held in June, 1900, that the Re
publican party 'steadfastly adheres to the
policy announced in the Monroe doctrine
is manifestly insincere and deceptive
This profession is contradicted by the
avowed policy of that party. in opposition
to the spirit OF the Monroe doctrine, to
acquire and hold sovereignty over large
areas of territory and large numbers of
people in the Eastern Hemisphere We
insist on the strict maintenance of the
Monroe doctrine in all its integrity, both
in letter and in spirit, as necessary to
prevent the extension of European au-
thority on this continent and as essential
to our supremacy in American affairs.
At the same time we declare that no
American people shall ever be held by
force in unwilling subjection to European
authority.
MILIrARIsM DENOUNCED.
We oppose militarism. 1t means con
quests abroad and intimidation and op-
preston at home 1t means the strong
arm which has ever been fatal to free in
stitutions. 1t Is what. millions of our citi-
zens have fled from in Europe. 1t Will
impose upon our peace-loving people a
large standing army and unnecessary
burden of taxation and will be a constant
menace to their liberties A small stand
ing army and well-disciplined State
militia are amply sufficient in time of
peace. This Republic has no place TOR
vast military service and conscription
= In time of danger the volunteer SOL
der is his country.s best defender. The
National Guard of the United States
should ever be cherished in the patriotic
hearts of free people. Such organiza-
tions are ever an element of strength and
safety. For the first time in our history
and coevil with the Philippine conquest
has there been wholesale departure
from our time-honored and approved sys-
TEN of volunteer organization. We de-
nounce it as un-American, un-Democratic
and un-RePublican and as subversion
of the ancient and fixed principles of
free people.
REMEDY FOR TRUSTS.
Private monopolies are lndefensible
and intolerable. They destroy competi-
ton, control the price of all material and
of the finished product, thus robbing both
producer and consumer They lessen
the employment of labor and arbitrarily
fix the terms and conditions thereof and
deprive individual energy and small cap
ital of their opportunity for betterment.
They are the most efficient means yet
devised tor rapp-opriating the fruits of in
dustrY to the benefit of the few at the ex-
pense of the many, and unless their in
satiate greed is checked all wealth will
be aggregated in a few hands and the
Republic destroyed.
The dishonest paltering with the trust
evil by the Republican party in State and
national platforms Is conclusive proof of the
truth of the charge that trusts are the legit-
innate product OF Republican policies, that
they are fostered by Republican laws and
that they are protected by the Republican
Administration for campaign subscriptions
and political support.
1--WE pledge the Democratic party to an
unceaslng warfare in nation, State and city
against private monopoly in every form
Existing lawsagainst trusts must be enforced
and more stringent ones must be enacted
providing for publicity as to the affairs of
corporations engaged in interstate COM
merce, requiring all corporations to show.
before doing business outside the State, of
their origin, that they have no water in
their stock and that they have not attempt
ed, and are not attempting, to monopolize
any branch of business or the production of
any articles of merchandise, and the whole
constitutional power OF Congress over inter
state commerce, the mails and all modes of
interstate communication shall be exercised
by the enactment of comprehensive laws
upon the subject of trusts
Concluded on 4th page