The Delawarean., 1900-07-07
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
the Principal Issue
of the Campaign.


Antf-ImDeriaIism the Principal Issue
of the Campaign.
We the representatives of the Demo-
cratic party of the United States, assem-
bled in convention on the anniversary of
the adoption of the Declaration of 1nde-
pendence, do reaftirm our faith in that inn
mortal proclamation of the inalienable
rights of man and our allegiance to the
constitution framed in harmony there
with by the fathers of the republic. We
hold with the United States supreme
court that the Declaration of lndepend-
ence 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 gov
erned; that any government not based
upon the consent of the governed is a
tyranny; and that to impose on any peo-
the methods of Imperialism for those of
republic. We hold that the constitution
follows the flag and denounce the doctrine
that an executive or congress, deriving
their existence and their power from the
constitution, can exercise lawful author
ity beyond 1t or in violation of 1T. We
assert that no nation can long endure
half republic and half empire, and we
warn the American people that Imperial
ism abroad will lead quickly and newt
ably to despotism at home.
Believing in these fundamental prin-
cfples, we denounce the Porto Rico law,
enacted by Republican congress, against
the protest and opposition Of the Demo-
cratic minority. as bold and open vio-
lation of the nations organic law and
hagrant breach of the national good
faith 1t imposes upon the people of
Porto Rico a government without their
consent and taxation without representa-
ton. 1t dishonors the American peo-
pie by repudiating a solemn pledge made
in their behalf by the commanding gen.
eral of ouv army, which the Porto Ricans
welcomed to peaceful and unresisted oc-
cupation of their land. It doomed to
poverty and distress a people whose help
lessness appeals with peculiar force to
our justice and magnanimity. In this,
the first act of it's imperialistic program,
the Republican party seeks to commit
the United States to colonial policy in
consistent with republican institutions
and condemned by the supreme court in
numerous decisions.
We demand the prompt and honest full
hllment of our pledge to the Cuban peo-
pie and the world that the United States
has no disposition nor intention to exer-
else sovereignty, jurisdiction or control
over the Island of Cuba except for its
pacification. The war ended nearly two
years ago, profound peace reigns over all
the island, and still the administration
Keeps the government of the island from
its people. while Republican carpet bag
officials plunder its revenues and exploit
the colonial theory to the disgrace of the
American people.
Philippines Policy Denounced.
We condemn and denounce the Philip
pine policy OF the present administration.
it has involved the republic in unneces-
sary war, sacrificed the lives of many of
our nobest sons and placed the United
States, previously known and applauded
throughout the world as the champion of
freedom. in the false and unamerican po-
Sition of crushing with military force the
efforts of our former allies to achieve
liberty and self government The Fill
pinos cannot be citizens without endan-
gering our civilization: they cannot be
subjects without imperiling our form of
government. and as we are not willing to
surrender our civilization or to convert
the republic into an empire we favor an
immediate declaration of the nations
purpose to give to the Filipnos first a
stable form of government, second. inde-
pendenee. and third, protection from out
side interference, such as has been given
for nearly a century to the republics OF
Central and South America.
The greedy commercialism which die
tated the Philippine policy of the Repub-
lican administration attempts to justify
It with the plea that it will pay, but even
this sordid and unworthy plea fails when
brought to the test of facts. The war of
criminal aggression against the Filipinos,
entailing an annual expense of many mill
lions, has already cost more than any
possible profit that could accrue from the
entire Philippine trade for years to come.
Furthermore, when trade is extended at
the expense of liberty the price is always
too high.
We are not opposed to territorial ex-
pansion when it takes in desirable terri
tory which can be erected into states in
the Union and whose people are willing
and fit to become American citizens. We
favor expansion by every peaceful end
legitimate means. But we are unalterably
opposed to seizing or purchasing dis
tant islands to be governed outside the
constitution and whose people can never
become citizens.
We are in favor of extending the re-
public's influence among the nations, but
believe that influence should be extended,
not by force and violence, but through
the persuasive power of high and hon
orable example.
The Importance of other questions now
pending before the American people is in
nowise diminished, and the Democratic
party takes no backward step from its
position on them, but the burning issue
of imperialism growing out OF the Span
ish war involves the very existence of
Aha sssishlic.- and- tha- -dastxuntian AT aiIr