Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1900-06-08
THE STATE CONYENTION.


The Democratic State Convention, held
In Baltimore on Tuesday, was we'll attended
and the proceedings were OF a very inter-
esting character.
The following Delegates-at-Large and
District Delegates 10 the National Conven-
ton at Kansas City, and the Electors-at-
Large and District Electors were selected
Delegates. at. Lsrge-Gov. John Walter
Smith, Murray Vandiver, Joshua W. Miles,
Col. l.. Victor Baughman.
District Delegates-Flrst district, J Benz
Brown, Jefferson d. Station. Second district,
B. Frank Grouse, Chas. f. Fendall. Third
district, Harry Rountree, K. J. Chasty
Fourth district, A. Leo Knott, Martin Leh-
mayer. Fifth district, j. Frank Smith, Jos.
s. Wilson. Sixth district, Blair Lee, John
Heating.
Electors-at-Large-John p. Poe, Gilmor
s. Hamill.
District Electors-First district, p. b.
Hopper; second, Joseph II. Steele; third,
John s. Hebb; fourth, Albert s. Owens
fifth, Mason g. Elzey; sixth, Thomas A.
Poffenberger.
The platform as adopted by the conven-
ton follows:
The reunited Democracy of Maryland,
having regained political control of the State
temporarily lost to us four years ago by
reason Of divisions-now happily healed
in our ranks, send greetings to our brethren
Of the great Democratic party 10 all sections
Of the Union, and pledge to them our hearty
cooperation in the patriotic work of rescu-
ing our Federal Government from the dan
gers with which 1t Is menaced by q con.
tlnusnce Of the revolutionary policy of Presi.
dent Mckinley and his supporters.
We reaffirm our allegiance to the princi.
Piles of the party as formulated by Jefferson
and exemplifed by Madison and jackson.
As the nation advances and develops, new
issues are presented and old issues disappear,
but the fundamental principles Of Democ-
racy, born Of human needs and Graded In
events
The preservation Of personal liberty, the
equality of all citizens before the law, free
dom of speech, freedom Of the press, freedom
of conscience, the reserved rights of the
States, and the supremacy of the Federal
Government within the limits of the Consti-
tution-lhese remain untouched by the vicis.
STUDIES of time and evolutions, and will ever
stand as the best and only guarantee of the
perpetuation Of free institutions.
We declare that all governments instl- |
tuted among men derive their just power
from the consent of the governed
That any government not based upon the
consent of the governed is tyranny.
We hold that the Constitution follows the |
flag, and cenounce the doctrine that Con.
gress or the Executive can exercise lawful |
authority in violation of the Constitution.
We assert that no nation can long endure
half republic and half empire. Imperialism
In any section Of our domain will lead quick
ly and inevitably to despotism at home.
We are unalterably opposed to large
standing army In q time of peace.
Believing that our most cherished instl-
buttons 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 everywhere should
lay aside their differences as TO the percent.
age Of duties on imports, the number of
grains OF silver 10 the dollar, and upon ether
issues of subordinate Importance In the pres.
ent crisis, and unite In resolute and deter |
mined effort TO stay the overwhelming pro-
gress Of radical errors 10 regard to the nature
Of our government inaugurated by Presi-
dent Mckinley and the Republican party.
We declare our firm belief that the safety
and true glory Of our country and the sta
bIlIty Of our very institutions depend upon a
strict and rigid adherence to the principles
and practices Of the fathers the republic.
Colonial expansion and military occupa'
ton and control of remote islands Of the sea
under the orders Of the President, as COM
mander In chief Of the army and navy, have
no place In our constitutional system Of
government.
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 Amer.
lean citizens, but we denounce the forcible
annexation Of foreign territory, except as
coaling or naval stations, with no purpose
OF forming II into State or States Of the
Union, or admitting Its inhabitants to the
protection of the Constitution and laws.
We are In favor Of extending the Repub.
lies influence among the nations, but we
believe that that influence should be extend
ed, not by force and violence, but, as here
toiore, through the persuasive power OF a
high and honorable example.
We cling 10 the cardinal doctrine that the
Constitution Is the supreme law Of the land,
and that no law passed by Congress for the
government Of colonies, acquired by pur-
chase, voluntary annexation or conquest by
arms, is of any validity or force whatsoever,
unless warrant for II can be found In the let.
Ter and spirit Of the Constitution.
We denounce, therefore, the recent Porto
Rico act as palpable and dangerous usur
patton Of power, passed In wanton and par
tisan disregard Of the plain duty Of Con.
gress aud approved by President Mckinley
In open and painful violation Of his public
and official declaration of our duty aud OBJ.
legation TO our fellow citizens of Porto Rico
and the whole American Union.
We favor trade expansion by every legiti
mate and peaceful means and by providing
every facility and protection for its extern
sion.
We note and record the fact that, with
unparalleled unanimity, the Democrats In
county and State conventions have signified
their desire that William Jennings Bryan
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