The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1900-07-14
THE PLATFORM.
Declaration OF PrincipIesA Adopted By
the Democratic Convention
at Kansas City.

Kansas City, Mo-, July 5.-The fol-
lowing is the platform as drawn by the
resolutions committee, submitted to
the convention and adopted unani-
u ouhly:
Imperialism.
We, the representatives of the demo-
cratic party of the United States, assem-
bled In national convention, on the ami
Versary Of the adoption of the Decla ra ton
of Independence, do reaffirm our faith in
that immortal proclamation of the in
alienable rights OF man and our allegiancs
to the constitution framed In harmony
Herewith by the fathers of the republic
We hold with the United States su-
preine 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 Iust
powers from the consent of the gov
erned; that any government not based
upon the consent Of the governed Is a
tyranny, and that to impose upon any
people a government of force Is to substi-
tute 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 theil
existence and their powers from the con-
stitution, can exercise lawful authority
beyond 1t. or in violation of It,
We assert that no nation can long en-
dure half republic and half empire and
we warn the American people that impe-
rialism abroad will lead quickly and in
evitably to despotism at home.
Believing In these fundamental prin-
ciples, we denounce the Porto Rico law,
enacted by republican congress against
the protest and opposition of the dem
ocratic minority, as bold and open VIOLA
ton of the nations organic law, and a
fragrant breach of the national good faith.
1t imposed upon the people of Porto
Rico a government without their consent
and taxation without representation. II
dishonors the American people by repu-
dating a solemn pledge made in their be-
army, which the Porto Ricans welcomed
to peaceful and unresisted occupation
of their land. 1t doomed to poverty and
distress a people whose helplessnesS ap.
peals with peculiar force 20 our justice
and magnanmity. In this, the first acl
of its imperialistic programme, the re-
| publican party seeks to commit the Unit.
| ed States to colonial policy, Inconsistent
with republican institutions and con.
| demned by the supreme court In numer-
| GUS decisions.
Cuba and the Philippines.
We demand honest fulfillment of oul
| pledge to the Cuban people, that the
United States has no disposition or in
| tention to exercise sovereignty or juris
diction over the island except for its pa
cification. The war ended two years ago
and profound peace reignB all over th'
island, and still the administration o.
| the island is withheld from its people
while republican carpetbag officials plum
der its revenues and exploit the colonia
| theory to the disgrace of the American
people.
| present administration 1t has embroilef
| q SAC
| rificed the lives of many of its mobiles
sons and placed the United States, pre-
| viously known and applauded Throughout
| the world as the champion of freedom
| in the false and un-American position o
| crushing with military force the enort
of our former allies to achieve liberty an'
| self-government.
| The Filipinos can not be citizens with
out eudangering our civilization; they cal
not be subjects without imperiling ou
| form of government, and as we are no
| convert the Republic into an empire
| We favor an immediate declaration Q
the nations purpose to give to the Fill
ipinos. First, stable from OF govern
| ment; second, independence, and thlrd
| protection from outside interference sucl
as has been given for nearly century t
the republics of Central and South Amert
The greedy commercialism which die
| tated the Philippine policy of the re
| publican administration attempts to JUS
even this sordid and unworthy plea fail
| when brought to the test of facts.
The war of criminal aggression agains
the Filipinos, entailing an annual eX
| pense of many millions, has already cos
| more than any possible profit that ca
| accrue from the entire Philippine trad
for years to come. Furthermore, VINE
| trade Is extended at the expense OF lit
erty, the price is always too high.
Territorial Expansion.
We are not opposed to territorial expar
| sion when it takes In desirable territor
which can be erected into states in tn
Union, and whose people are willing and Fl
to become American citizens. We favo
trade expansion by peaceful an
legitimate means. But we are una.ter
ably opposed to the Selling or purchans
of distant islands to be governed outsid
the constitution, and whose people ca
never become citizens.
We are in favor of extending the ne
public's influence among the nations, bu
believe that influence should be extende
not by force and violence, but throug
the persuasive power of high and nor
orable example.
The Burning Issue.
The importance of other questions no.
| nendinp before the American people
| in NO wise diminished, and the democratl
| marty takes no backward step from u
| position on them but the burning issu
| Of imperialism growing out of the Spans
war involves the very existence of the r.
nublic and the destruction of our free II