Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1900-07-12
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM
Declaration of PrfncipIesA Adopted by
the Democratic Convention
at Kansas City.
Kansas City, Mo-, July 5.-Tke fol
lowing is the platform as drawn by the
resolutions committee, submitted t.
the convention and adopted unani
Z ously:
Imperialism.
We, the representatives of the demo
cratic party of the United States, assem-
bed in national convention, on the ami
vsrsary of the adoption OF the Declaration
OF Independence, do reaffirm our faith II
that immortal proclamation of the in.
alfenahle rights of man and our allegiance
to the constitution framed in harmonJ
Herewith by the fathers of the republic.
preLne court that the Declaration of In.
dependence is the spirit of our govern
ment, of which the constitution is thu
We declare again that all governments
instituted among men derive their Jusi
powers from the consent Of the gov.
erned; that any government not based
upon the consent of the governed IS g
tyranny, and that to impose upon any
people a government of force is to substi'
tuIe methods of Imperialism for those OF
a republic.
We hold that the constitution follows
the nag, and denouEce the doctrine tina
an executive or congress, deriving theil
existence and their powers from the con-
stitation, can exercise lawful authority
beyond it, 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 Porte Rico Jaw,
enacted Dy a republican congress against
the protest and opposition of the dem
ocratic minority, as a bold and open viola
fiagrant breach of the national good filth.
1t imposed upon the people of Forte
Rico a government without their consent
and taxation without representation. II
dlshonOrs the American people by
dating a solemn pledge made in their be-
half by the commanding general of our
army, which the Porto Ricans welcomed
to a peaceful and unresisted occupation
of their land. 1t doomed to poverty and
distress a people whose helplessness APP
peals with peculiar force 20 our justice
and m~agnanlmity. In this, the first act
OF its imperi2listic programme, the re-
publican party seeks to commit the Unit
ed States to a colonial policy, inconsistent
with republican institutions and con-
demned by the supreme court in numer-
GUS decisions.
cuba and the Philippines.
We demand honest fulfIlment of our
pledge to the Cuban people, that the
United States has no disposition or in
IenttCn to exercise sovereignty or IuTlS-
diction over the island except for its pa.
cification. The war ended two years ago
ana profound peace reigns all over the
island, and still the administration of
the island is withheld from it's people
while republican ~carpetbag officials plum
der its revenues and exploit the colonial
theory to the Disgrace of the American
people.
We condemn the Philippine policy of the
present administration. 1t has embroiled
the republic in an unnecessary war. Sac
rificed the lives of many of it's mobiles,
SONS and placed the United States, pre-
ViouSly known and appIauded Tout
the world as the champion of freedom
in the false and un-American position of
crushing with military force the efforts
Self-gOyernment.
The FilipinOs can not be citizens with
out e~ndangering our civilizations; they can
not be subjects without inperiling our
form of government, and as we are not
convert the Republic into an empire.
We favor an immediate declaration of
the nations purpose to give to the Fill
ipinos. First, a stable from of govern
ment; second. independence. and third,
protection from outside interference such
as has been given for nearly a century to
the republics of Central and South Ameri-
The greedy commerciaIism which die
tated the Philippine policy of the re-
publican administration attempts to JUS
tify it with the plea that it will pay. but
even this scrdid and unworthy plea fails
when brought to the test of facts.
The war of criminal aggression against
N-~ AAfAAD' AAaAAlA an III IA
pense of many millions, has already cost
more than any possible profit that can
accrue from the entire Philippine trade
for years to come. Furthermore, when
trade is extended at the expense of lib
erty, the price is always too high.
Territorial Expansion.
We are not opposed to territorial expan-
sion when it taxes in desirable territory
which can be erected into states in the
Union, and whose people are willing ana fit
to become American citizens. We favor
trade expansion by peaceful and
legitimate means. But we are una.ter-
ably opposed to the seizing or purchanse
of distant islands to be governed outside
the constitution, and whose people can
nSver become citizens.
We are in favor of extending the Re
public's influence among the nations. but
believe that influence should be extended
not by force and violence, but through
the persuasive power of a high and non
orable example.
The Burning Issue.
The Importance of other questions now
pending before the American people is
party takes no backward step from its
on them; but the burning issue
of Imperialism growing out Of the Spanish
public and the destruction of our free in
We regard it as the paramount is
sue of the campaign.