The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1900-07-13
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.


yersary Of the adoption of the Declare
tion Of Independence, do reatilrm our
faith In that immortal proclamation OF
the inalienable rights OF man and our
allegiance TO the constitution, framed In
harmony with the fathers Of the re-
public.
preme court that the Declaration of In
dependence Is the spirit of our govern
ment, 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 governed that any government
aot based upon the consent OF the govern
ed is a tyranny and that to impose on
any people government OF force IS 10
substitute the methods of imperialism
for those of a republic.
Imperialism the Paramount Issue.
1--WE hold that the constitution follows
the flag, and denounce the doctrine that
an executive of congress deriving their
existence and their powers from the con-
Etitution can exercise lawful authority
beyond 1t or In violation OF 1t. We as
sert that no nation can long endure hall
republic and half empire and we warn
the American people that imperialism
abroad will lead quickly and inevitably
10 despotism at home.
believing in these fundamental prin-
eiplcs we denounce the Porto Rico law
enacted by a 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
fragrant breach Oh the national good
faith. 1t imposes upon the people of Por-
~ Rico a government without their con-
gent and taxation without representa-
ton. 1t dlshonors the American people
BY rcpudiatng a solemn pledge made in
their behalf by the commanding gener-
oil of our army which the Porto Ricans
welcomed to peaceful and unresisted
occupation of their land. 1t doomed to
poverty and distress a people whose help
lessness appeals with peculiar force to
our justice and mangnamity. In this,
the first act of its Imperialism program,
the republican party seeks TO commit the
United States to colonial policy, incon-
sistent with republican institutions and
condemned by the supreme court in nu-
merouS decisions.
1--WE demand the prompt and honest
fulhllment of our pledge to the Cuban
people and the world that the United
States has no disposition or intention to
exercise sovereignty jurisdiction or con-
troll over the island OF Cuba, except for
its pacihcatlon.
''The war ended nearly two years ago,
profound, peace reigns over az the is
the government Of the island from its
people, while republican carpet-bag Of
fcials plumber its revenues and exploit
the colonial theory TO the disgrace or the
American people
1--WE condemn and denounce the Phil
fppine policy of the present administra-
ton. 1t has embroiled the republic in an
unnecessary war, sacrificed the lives of
many of its noblest sons and placed the
United States, previously known and APP
pauded 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
to achieve liberty and self-government.
1--WE favor an immediate declaration
of the nations purpose to give to the
Filpinos first: A stable form of govern
ment second, independence, and third,
protection from outside interference,
such as has been given for nearly CEN
fury to the republics of Central and
South America.
'6The greedy commercialism which die
tated the Philippine policy of the repub-
hcan administration attempts to justify
It with the plea that It wil pay, but even
brought to the test of facts. The war OF
criminal aggression against the Filipinos
entailing an annual expense of many mil
lions, has already cost more than any
possible profit that could accrue from the
come. Furthermore, when trade Is ex-
the price is always too high. We are not
opposed to territorial expansion when il
takes in desirable territory which can be
erected into states in the union anG
whose people are Willing and fit to become
American citizens.
1--WE favor trade expansion by every
peaceful and Legitimate means. But we
are unalterably opposed to the Selling
or purchasing of distant islands to W
governed outside the constitution, anc
whose people can never become citi
zens.
I'VE are in favor of extending the re
publics influence among the nations, bu
beneWe that influence should be extended
not by force and violence, but through
the persuasive power o. high and hon
cradle example.
"The importance of other questions nov
pending before the American people Ii
In no wise diminished and the democratic
party takes no backward step from it
position on them but the burning issu,
of Imperialism growing out of the Span
ish war involves the very existence O
the republic and the destruction of on
free institutions. We regard it as tn
paramount issue of the campaign
1.-THE declaration in the republican
platform adopted at the Philadelphia con
vention, held in June, 1900, that the re
publican party adheres to the policy o
the Monroe doctrine is manifestly insin
eere and deceptive. This profession i
eontradicted by the avowed policy o
that party in opposition TO the spirit o
the Monroe doctrine to acquire and hol
sovereignty over large areas of territor,
and large numbers of people in the East
we insist on the strict maintenance
Of the Monroe doctrine and in all its In
tegrity, both in letter and in spirit, a
necessary to prevent the extension o
European authority On this continent an
IS essential to our supremacy in Ameri
can affairs. At the same time we de
clare that no American people shall eve
he held by force il unwilling subjectio
TO European authority
Militarism Denounced.
1--WE oppose militarism. 1t means con
quest abroad anu intimidation and or
preston at home, 1t means the stron
arm which has ever been fatal to FIRE
institutions. 1t is what millions of GU
C.-izens h-ye fed from - Eu.co- =
Will impose upon our peace-ioving pee
pie a large standing army and unneces
sary burden of taxation and u constau
menace to their liberties.
IA small standing army and a well
disciplined state militia are amply sui
fcient in time of peace When the ma
ton is in danger the volunteer solde
Is his countrys best defender. The ma
tional guard of the United States shoul
ever be cherished in the patriotic heart
Of a free people Sucn organizations al
ever an element of strength and safet!
For the first time I'm our history, an
Poeval with the Philippine conquest, ha
there been a wholesale departure froi
eur time-honored and approved system
volunteer organization. We denounC
IL as un-American, un-demoCrat
and un-republcan, and as a subversio
of ancient and fixed principles of a FIRE
people.
The Trusts.
Private monopoes are indefensibl
and intolerabe. They destroy compel
ton, control the price of all materii
and of the finished product, thus Robin
both producer and consumer they Jesse
the employment of labor ana arbitraril
FIX the terms and conditions thereof an
aeprive individual energy and small cal
hal Of their opportunity for bettermen
They are the most efficient means "
devised for ap1rODriating the fruits OF II