New-York tribune., 1900-07-06

We are IN favor Of extending the Republics
iiiluehce among the nations but believe that
iiiIiuence should be extended not by force and
violence. but through the persuasive power Of
high and honorable example.
The Importance Of other questions now pend
ing 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 Spniash war involves the very existence Of
the Republic and the destruction of our free
institutions We regard it as the paramount
issue OF the campaign
The declaration in the Republican platform
ADOPTED at the Philadelphia Convention held in
June IsVO' that the Republican party stead
rastly adheres to the policy announced in the
monroe Doctrine" is manifestly insncere and
deceptive This profession is contradicted by
the avowed policy Of that party IN opposition TO
the spirit Of the Monroe Doctrine to acquire and
hold sovereignty over large areas OF territory
ana large numbers OF people in the Eastern
hemisphere. We insist the strict rnainte-
nance Of the Monroe Doctrine. and in al its in
tegrity both in letter and in spirit as necessary
10 prevent the extension Of European authority
on this continent, and as essential TO our su-
premacy in American affairs. At the same time
We declare that no American people shall ever
pean authority
abroad and intimidation and oppression at home
It means the strong arm which has ever been
ratal TO free institutions 1t is what millions Of
our citizens have fed from in Europe. It will
impose upon our peace loving people large
standing Army and unnecessary burden Of taxa
ton and a constant menace TO their liberties
A small standing Army and a well disciplined
State militia amply sufficient in time Of
peace This Republic has no place for a vast
military service and conscription. When the
Nation is in danger the volunteer soldier is his
country's best defender.
The National Guard Of the United States
should ever be cherished in the patriotic hearts
Of a free people. Such organizations are ever
an element Of strength and safety. For the first
time in our history and coevai with the Philip
pine conquest has there been wholesale de-
parture from our time honored and approved
system Of volunteer organization. We denounce
II as un-American. undemocratic and unrepub-
Ecan, and a subversion of ancient and fixed
principles Of free people.
Private monopolies are indefensible and in
tolerable. They destroy competition. control the
price OF all material and OF the finished prod
uct, thus robbIng both producer and consumer.
They lessen the employment Of labor and ar
and deprive individual energy and small capital
OF their opportunity for bettermert-
They are the most efficient means yet devised
for appropriating the fruits Of industry TO the
benefit Of the few al the expense Of the many,
and unless their insatiate greed IS checked all
wealth Will be aggregated in a few hands and
the Republic destroyed. The dishonest palter-
ing with the trust evil by the Republican party
n State and National platforms is conclusive
the legitimate product of Republican policies
that they are fostered by Republican laws and
that they are protected by the Republican Ad-
nlinistration in return for campaign subscrip-
tions and political support.
We pledge the Democratic party to an unceas-
ing warfare in Nation State and city against
private monopoly in every form Existing laws
against trusts must he enforced and more strin-
gent ones must be enacted providing for pub
Lefty 70 the affairs Of corporations engaged
n interstate commerce. and requiring all cor
porauons TO show. before doing business outside
Of the State Of their origin, that they have no
water IN their stock and that they have not
attempted and are not attempting to monopo-
Iize any branch Of business the production Of
any articles Of merchandise, and the whole con-
scitutional power Of Congress over interstate
commerce, the mails and all modes of inter
state communication shall be exercised by the
enactment OF comprehensive laws upon the sub
jecr OF trusts. Tariff laws should be amended
by putting the products Of trusts upon the free
list 70 prevent monopoly under the plea Of pro
lection
The failure Of the present Republican Admin
isIration. with an absolute control over all the
branches Of the National Government, 10 enact
any legislation designed to prevent or even cur
TAIL the absorbing power Of trusts and Illegal
coubinat atiors, OF TO enforce the antitrust laws
already on the statute books, proves the instn-
cerity Of the high sounding phrases Of the Re
publican platform
Corporations should be- protected in all their
rights. and their legitimate interests should be
respected, but any attempt by corporations 10
interfere with the public affairs Of the people
or 10 control the sovereignty which creates them
should be forbidden under such penalties as will
make such attempts impossible
We condemn the Dingley Tariff law as a
trust breeding measure skifully devised 70 give
the few favors which they do not desire and
10 place upon the many burdens which they
should not bear
We favor such an enlargement OF the scope Of
-ba Interstate Commerce law as will enable the
Commission TO protect individuals and com
r,rnf+ies from determinations and the public
from unjust and unfair transportation rates.
We reamrm and indorse the principles Of the
National Democratic platform adopted at Chi
cago in 1896 and reiterate the demand OF
that platform for American financial sys-
TEN made by the American people for them
s.I,,as which shall restore and maintain q bi-
metallic price level and, as part OF such sys-
TEN. the immediate restoration OF the free and
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