The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-09-18

soldiers and sailors of all our wars, and
declares its purpose to deal generously
with them and their dependents
liberal policy is natural and necessary il,
in a government which depends upon
a citizen soIdiery, instead of a large
standing army. Self-interest, as well
as gratitude, compels the government
to make bountiful provision for those
who, in the hour of danger, and at
great sacrifice of business, health and
life, tender their services TO their coun-
try.
1.-The pension laws should be con-
strued according to the generous spirit
which prompted their passage The
platform very properly reiterates the
position taken in 1896, that the fact OF
enlistment shall be deemed conclusive
evidence that the soldier was sound
when the government accepted him.
A certificate given now to the health or
a person 10 years ago, even if easily
obtainable, should not have as much
weight as the certificate of the medi-
cal officer who examined the volunteer
with a view of ascertaining his fitness
for army service
NICARAGUA.
THE Democratic party is in favor of
the immediate construction, ownership
and control of the Nicaragua canal by
the United States. The failure of the
Republican party to make any progress
in carrying out a pledge contained in
it's platform four years ago, together
with the substitution in its latest plat
form of a plank favoring an isthmian
canal for a specific declaration in IA
vor of the Nicaraguau canal, would in
dictate that the Republican leaders
either do not appreciate the Importance
of this great waterway to the mari
time strength and commercial inter
ests of the country. or that they give
too much consideration TO the interest
ed opposition of transcontinental lines
The Hay Pauncefote treaty, now before
the senate, would, if ratified, greatly
lesson the value of the canal, if II
would not indeed convert it into posi-
tive menace in time of war The para
mount interests of the United States
in the western hemisphere, together
with the obligations to defend the re-
publics to the south of US, makes it
necessary that our government shall
be able to close the canal against any
hostile power
TERRITORIES.
Arizona, New Mexico and O1iahofno-
have long been ready TO assume the
responsibilities and enjoy the privileges
of statehood, and it will be a pleasure,
as well as a duty, to carry out the
platform pledge concerning them
There will be, a popular acquies-
cence in the demand for home rule, and
a territorial form of government in
Alaska and Porto Rico. Both are en-
titled TO local self government and
representation N congress
1.-The recognition contained in both
the Democratic and Republican plat
forms of the right of the Cubans to in
dependence removes the general prin-
cfpIe involved from the domain of par
tisan politics. 1t is proper, however,
to consider whether the accomplishment
of this purpose can be safely entrusted
10 the Republican party after it has
yielded to the aIlurements of the colo
NAL idea, and abandoned its earlier
faith in the NATURAL and inaiienable
rights of man.
ARID LANDS.
THE time is ripe for systematic
and extended effort to reclaim the arid
lands and fit them for actual settlers.
that homes can thus be provided for
many millions of people. The i'm
pounding and use of the waters which
are wasted in the spring would people
the western states with thrifty. intelli-
gent and industrious citizens, and these
would furnish a valuable market for all
the products of the factories. a small
percentage of the money spent in a
war of conquest would provide occu-
patton and habitation for more people
than would ever seek a residence in
, colonies within the tropics.
FOREIGN ALLIANCES.
THE reasons given by Washington,
jefferson and the other statesmen of
the early days in support of the doc
trine that we should maintain friendly
relations with all nations, but enter
into changing alliances with none
are even stronger today than they
were 100 years ago. Our commerce is
Z rapidly increasing, and we are brought
into constant communication with al
parts of the world. Even if we desired
to do so, we could not afford to ALLEVIATE
many nations by cultivating unneces
2 sary intimacy with few. Our strength
and standing are such that it is les
necessary IMAM ever before 10 lean 10
2 aid upon the friendliness of a foreign
. power. =,
I'VE cannot connect ourselves will
D European nations, and share in 'thei
= jeaIousies and ambitions without los
ing the peculiar advantage which on
< location. our character and our insti
x tutions give us in the worlds affairs.
x MONROE DOCTRINE.
4 The doctrine enunciated by Mon
< roe. and approved by succeeding presi
4 dents. is essential to the welfare of tn
K United States. The continents of Mort
x and South America are dedicated to tn
K development of free government On
x republic after another has been estab
x lished, until today monarchial idea Ia
Y barely a foothold in the new world
Y While it is not the policy of thi
Y country to interfere where amicabl
relations exist between Europea