The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-07-14
The Platform.

KANSAS CRY, July 5.-The full text of the
platform adopted by the Democratic National
Committee is as follows:
We, the representatives of the Democratic
party of the United States, assembled in Con-
vention on the anniversary of the adoption of
the Declaration of Independence, do reaffirm
our faith in that immortal 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 Independence is the spirit
of our Government, of which the Constitution
is the form and letter, We declare again that
all governments 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 tyranny; and
that to impose on any people government of
force is to substitute the methods of imperial
ism 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 powers from
the Constitution can exercise lawful authority
beyond it or in violation of it. We assert
that no nation can long endure half republic
and half empire, and we warn the American
people that imperialism abroad will lead
quickly and inevitably to despotism at home.
PORTO RICO Law DENOUNCED.
Believing in these fundamental principles,
we denounce the Porto Ricofaw enacted BY
a Republican Congress against the protest and
opposition of the Democratic minority as a
bold and open violation OF the ustio1's organic
law and a fragrant breach of the national good
faith. 1t imposes upon the people Of Porto
Rico government without their consent and
taxation without representation. It dishonprs
the American people by repudiatilg solemn
pledge made in their behalf liz the command
ing general Of cur army, which the Porto
Ricans Welcomed to . peaceful and unresisted
occupation of their land. Itdooms to poverty
and distress q people whose helplessness ap.
peals with peculiar force to our justice and
magnanimity. In this, the first act of its i'm.
perialistic programme, the Republican party
seeks to commit the United States to a colonial
policy, inconsistent with Republican institu-
tons and condemned by the Supreme Court
in numerous decisions
OUR PLEDGE TO cUBA
We demand the prompt and honest fulfil
ment of our pledge to the Cuban people and
the world that the United States has no dis.
position nor intention to exercise sovereignty
jurisdiction or control over the island of Cuba
except for its pacifcation. The war ended
nearly two years ago, profound peace reigns
over all the island, and still the Administra-
ton keeps the government of the island from
its people, while Republican carpet bag off,
cials plumber its revenues and exploit the
colonial theory to the disgrace of the Ameri-
can people.
PHILIPPINE POLICY.
We condemn and denounce the Philippine
policy of the present Administration. Ii has
involved the Republic in unnecessary war,
sacrificed the lives of many of our noblest
sons, and placed the United States, previously
known and applauded throughout the world
as the champion of freedom, in the false and
un-American position of crushing, with mill. |
tary force, the efforts of our former allies 10 |
achieve liberty and self government. The
Filipinos cannot be citizens without endanger-
ing our civilization; they cannot be subjects |
without importing 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's purpose to give to the Elipinos,
tlrst, a stable form of government; second,
and third, protection from out
side interference, such as has been given for
nearly century to the Republics of Central
and South America.
The greedy commercialism which dictated f
he Philippine policy of the Republican Ad.
attempts to justify it with the
Flea that it will pay, but even this sordid and
Unworthy plea fails when brought to the test
# facts The war of criminal aggression | |
gainst the Filipinos, entailing an annual ex-
ense of many millions, has already cost 8
nore than any possible profit that could &C. 1