Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-07-14

Thomas OF COlOradOwaS tenn
porary chairman, Congressman Rich
ardson OF Tennessee permanent chair
man and Senator Jones OF Arkansas
chairman OF the resolutions committee.
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
the Principal Issue
OF the Campaign.
We. the representatives OF the Demo-
cratic party of the United States, assem-
the adoption of the Declaration OF Inde-
pendence. do reafhrm our faith in that i'm
mortal proclamation OF the inalienable
constitution framed in harmony there
with by the fathers of the republic. We
hold with the United States supreme
court that the Declaration of Independ-
ence Is the spirit OF our government, of
which the constitution IL the form and
ments Instituted among men derive their
just powers from the consent of the gov
erned; that any government not based
tyranny; and that to impose on any peo-
pie government of force is to substitute
the methods of Imperialism for those OF
q 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
tty beyono 1t or In violation OF 1t. We
assert that no nation can long endure
warn the American people that imperial
ism abroad will lead quickly and newt
ably to despotism at home.
Believing in these fundamental prin-
ciples, we deDounce the Porto Rico law,
enacted by q Republican congress, against
the protest and opposition OF the Demo-
cratic minority, as a bold and open vio-
lation of the nations organic law and u
nagrant breach of the national good
Porto Rico a government without their
consent and taxation without representa-
ton; 1t dishonors the American peo-
in their behalf by the commanding gem
eral or our army, which the Porto Rican1
welcomed to q peaceful and unresisted oc-
cupation of their land. It doomed to
poverty and distress people whose help
lesSness appeals with peculiar force to
the first act of its imperialistic program,
the Republican party seeks to commit
the United States to a 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-
oise s1pvereignty' jurisdiction OF control
pacification. The war ended nearly two
years ago, profound peace reigns over oil
the island. and still the administration
keeps the government of the island from
Its people, while Republican carpet bag
officials plumber its revenues and exploit
American people
Philippines Policy Denounced.
We condemn and denouuce the Philip
pine policy OF the present administration.
s Se ve. on manS
our noblest sons and placed the United
States, previously known and epplauded
freedom, in the false and unamerican po-
sition OF crushing with military force the
efforts OF our former allies to achieve
hAr nd sal ant he 4
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 nation
purpose to give to the F'ilipinos first a
stable form OF government, second inde-
pendenee. and third. protection from out
for nearly a century TO the republics OF
Central and South America.
tateS tse SSI,,Doine noIicY OF tSa iG Reo SiS-
lican administration attempts to justify
IL with the plea that Il will pay, but even
brought to the test OF facts. The war OF
criminal aggression against the Fil;pinos
entailing an annual expense of many mil
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 al
too high. Le
We are not opposed to territorial ex.
pansion when IL 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
legitimate means. But we are unalterablS
opposed to Selling 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
| influence Sh0rl1d he Aad
not by force and violence, but through
the persuasive power OF a high and hon
The Importance of ether questions now
pending before the American people Is II
nowise diminished. and the Democratic
position on them, but the burning issu,
of Imperialism growing cut OF the Span
i5h war vnb Involves a the Xefy existence o
free Institutions. We regard 1t as tn,
paramount issue OF the campaign.
Republican Instncerity.
The declaration in the Republican plat
| vention, held in June. 1900, that the Re
publican party 'Steadfastly adhefes [,
the policy announced In the Monroe doc
trine' is manifestly insincere and de
ceptive. This profession is contradicte,
| by the avowed> policy OF that party IN op
| position to the spirit of the Monroe doc
over large areas of territory and larg
| numbers OF people in the eastern hemis
4
| ance, OF the Monroe doctrine and in all II
| integrity, both in letter and in spirit, a
| necessary to prevent the extension O
European authority on this continent an
| as essential to our supremacy in America
| affairs. At the same time we declar
| that no American people shall ever
| held by force In unwilling subsection I
] European authority
| We oppose militarism. 1t means cor
quest abroad and intimidation and or
| preston at home. 1t means the stron
| arm which has ever been fatal to FIRE
institutions. 1t IS what millions of OF
citizens have fed from IN Europe.
will impose upon our peace loving pee
| pie a large standing army and unnece.
| sary burden of taxation and a constar
| menace to their liberties. A small stanC
| ing army and a well disciplined stat
| militia are amply sufficient in time
| peace. This republic has no place for
| vast military service and censcrption
| When the nation is in danger the Vo
| unteer soldier il his country's best d.
| fender The national guard of the I'm
| ted States should ever be cherised in IL
! patriotic hearts of a free people. Sue
4 ORGANIZATIONS are ever element
| strength and safety. For the first tin
| IN our history and co-evil with the Phi
ippine conquest has there been a who'll
sale departure from our time honort