The Courier. (Genoa, Nev.) 1899-1904, 1900-10-19
Democratic h0|iOl0I P|0|IODIl

We, the Representatives of the Demo-
cratic party Of the United States. ASSEM-
bled In national convention, on the ami
veraary of the adoption of the Declara-
ton 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 Herewith by the fathers of
the republic.
We hold with the United States su-
prenae 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 con-
ment not based upon the consent of the
governed Is tyranny; and that to impose
upon 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 Con-
stitution. can exercise lawful authority
beyond IL or In violation of Ii. We assert
that no nation can long endure half re-
public and half empire; and we warn the
American people that Imperialism abroad
will lead quickly and inevitably to des-
potism at home.
Believing In these fundamental prin-
ciples, We denounce the Porto Rico
law enacted by "a Republican Congress.
against the protest and opposition of the
Democratic minority, as bold and open
violation of the nations organic law
and fragrant breach of the national
good faith. 1t imposes upon the people
of Porto Rico government without their
consent and taxation without representa-
ton. Ii dishonors the American people
by repudlating a solemn pledge made In
their behalf by the commanding General
of our army. which the Porto Ricans
welcomed TO peaceful and unresisted
occupation of their land. 1t doomed to
poverty and distress people whose help
iessness appeals with peculiar force TO
eur justice and magnanimity. In this,
the first act OF its imperlalistic program,
the Republican party seeks to commit
the United States to a colonial policy,
inconsistent with republican institutions
and condemned by the Supreme Court In
numerous decisions.
Plank on the Cuban Question.
We demand the prompt and honest full
hllment of our pledge to the Cuban
people and the world, that the United
States has no disposition or intention
TO exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or
control over the island of Cuba, except
for its qualification. The war ended near
ly two years ago, profound peace reigns
over all the island, and still the Admins
tration keeps the government OF the
carpetbag officials plumber Its revenues
and exploit the colonial theory to the
disgrace of the American pepole.
Philippines Policy Condemned.
We condemn and denounce the Philip
pine policy of the present Administration.
1t has embroiled the republ.c in an un-
necessary war, sacrificed the lives OF
many of It's noblest sons placed the Unit
ed States, previously known and applaud
ed throughout the world as the champion
Of freedom, In the false and un-American
position OF crushing with military force
the efforts OF our former allies TO achieve
liberty and self-government. The Fill
plnos cannot be citizens WITHOUT endan-
Fusa1t has taa
subjects without imperiling our form of
government, and as we are not willing to
surrender our civilization or 10 convert
the republic into an empire, We favor the
immediate declaration or the nation
purpose to give the tflipinos, first, stable
form of government; second, independ-
ence. and third, protection from outside
Interference, such as has been given Tor
nearly century TO the republics OF Cen
tral and South America.
The greedy commerciallsm which die
tated the Philippines policy OF the Re
publican Administration attempts to jus
ufy II with the plea that II VIII pay, but
even this sordid and unworthy plea fails
when brought to the test OF facts. The
war OF criminal aggression against the
Filipinos entailing annually an expense
Of many millions. has already cost more
than any possible profit that could accrue
from the entire Philippine trade for
years to come. Furthermore, when trade
, is extended at the expense of liberty the
price Is always too high.
Democrats and Tera.oriaI Exfansioo.
We are not opposed to territorial ex-
panslon. when II takes in desirable ter
ritory which can be cIcted into states IN
the Onion. and whose people are willing
and fit TO become American citizens. We
favor trade expansion b. every peaceful
and legitimate means, but We are unai-
terabiy opposed to the seizing or pur-
chasing n distant islands 20 be governed
outside the Constitution and whose people
can never become citizens. We are In
favor of extending The republics infiu-
ence among the nations. but believe that
influence should be extended.n not by force
and violence. but through the persuasive
power OF a high and honorable example.
Imperialism ihs Burning Issue.
The Importance OF other questions now
pending before the American people Is In
nowlse diminished, and he Democratic
party takes nos backward step from its
position on them. but the burning issue
OF Imperialism, growing out of the Span
ish war involves the very existence OF
the republic and the destruction of our
paramount issue OF the campaign.
The declaration In the Republican plat
form adopted at the Philadelphia conven-
ton, held In June, 1900 that the Republic
can party "steadfastly adheres to the
policy announced in the Monroe doctrine
Is manifestly insncere and deceptive.
This profession l. contradlcted by the
avowed policy of the party In opposition
to the spirit OF the Monroe doctrine, 10
acquire and hold sovereignty over large
areas OF territory and large numbers OF
people In the eastern hemisphere. We IN
sist on the strict maintenance of the Mon
roe doctrine In all its integrity, both in
letter and I'm spirit, as necessary to pre-
vent the extension of European author
ity on this continent and as essential 10
eur supremacy In American affairs. Al
the same time we declare that no Ameri-
can people shall ever be held by force In
unwilling subsection TO European au-
khority.
Opposition to Milltarism.
We oppose militarism. II means con-
guest abroad and intimidation ana OPP
preston at home. II means the strong
arm. which has ever been fatal TO Tree
institutinns II Is what millions of our