Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1900-07-11


tie United S ates, previously know
and applauded Throughout the wCrl
as the champion of freed pm, in IL
false and un-American position {
crushing with military force The effort
of former allies to achieve liberty an
self-government. The FiIipinos can
not become items without endanger
ing our civilization; they cannot b
subjects without imperilling our form
CT government, and as we are not Will
ing to surrender cur civilization or Il
convert the republic into an empire
we favor an immediate declaration Of
the nations purpcse,-frst, a stable
form OF government; second, indie.
peudence, and, third. protection from
outside interference such as has been
given for near,y century to the re.
publics of Central and South America,
The greedy commercialism vh;c die.
tated the Philippine policy of the Re.
publican administration attempts to
justify it with the pie, that it will pay,
but even this sordid and unworthy plea
fails when brought 10 The test OF facts.
The war of criminal aggression against
the Filipiuos, entailing an annual OK.
pense of many millions, has already
cost more than any possible profit that
could accrue from tie entire Philip
pine trade for years to ccme. Further
more, when trade is extended at the
expense of liberty the price is always
too high.
We are not opposed to territorial ex-
pansion WI en- it takes in desirable ter
rltory which can be erected into States
N the Union and whose people are
willing and fit to become American
,itizen'.
We favor expansion by every peace
ul and legitimate means. But we are
lpalterably opposed to Selling or pur-
'hasing of distant islands to be GOV
'rnel outside the constitution, and
whose people can never become citizens.
We are in favor Of extending The re-
'ublic's influence among the nations,
'ut believe that influence should be
xiended not by force and violence, but
trough the persuasive power of high
I'D norab e example.
THE PARAMOUNT ISSUE
L he importance OF The old questions
ow pending before the American
eople is in no wise diminished, and
he Democratic PARTY takas no back
ard step from its position on them,
ut the burning issue of imperialism
rowing out of tie Spanish war in
olives the very existence of the republic
nd tie destruction of ouc free instjtl-
ons and we regard It as the paramount
sue of the campaign.
The declaration in The Republican ,
latform adopted at the philadelphia
invention. held June, 1900, that the
epnblican party "steadfastly adheres 8
the policy announced in the Monroe :
'ctrine" Is manifestly insincere and .
'reptive. This profession is contra .
cie1 by the a1owed policy OF that y
rty in opposition to the spirit of the
onroe doctrine, 10 acquire and hold Z,
vereignty over large areas of territory 4
ID large numbers of reople in The =
astern Hemisphere, We insist on =
g strict maintenance of the N onroe =
'ctrine. In all its integrity, both in IS
tier and in Spirit, as necs ssary to :,
event the extension of European e.
thoriiy en- this continent and as .;
sentIal to our supremacy in American
airs. At the same time, we declare .,
ut no American people shall ever be y
Id by force in unwilling subsection
European authority. 10
We oppose militarism. 1t means
inquest abroad and int m dation and
preston at home. 1t means the
ong arm, which has ever been fatal in
free institutions. Its what millions lis
our cltizeLs had fed from in Europe Sc
will impose upon our peace loving an
'ple large standing army and an
necessary burden of taxation and q tn,
stant mcnac, to their liberties. A tn,
al standing army and a well dis on,
lned State militia are amply sufi- grt
1t in time of peace. This republic chs
no place for vast mi itary service Cal
CONSUMPTION. Am
When the nation is in danger the pro
lnteer soldier is his country's best to
ender. The National Guard f the
ted States should ever be cherished fdt
ne patriotic hearts of free people, sail
d organizations are ever an element era,
trength and safety. For the fist siti
10 our history, and coeval with the 189
llpplne conquest, has there been a ser,
iesale departure from the time den
brad and approved system of vi befC
er organization. We denounce il
a-American, undemocratc and un- own
blican, and as subversion of the cani
,nt and fxei principles of O free nou
lie. the
TRUSTS, TARIFF, &c. 18th
ivate monopo)ies are lndefensible hin
ntolerable. They destroy c3m- "
ION, control the price of all mate "
nd OF the finished product, thus =
ng both producer aud consumer.