The Van Buren press., 1900-03-31
The Bryan Platform.
rom tho Washington Times.

From tho Washington Times
Il IA fair to assume that the PLATFORM
adopted by the Democratic State Con
vention at Lincoln on Monday Is the sort
OF platform upon which Mr.. Bryan pro-
noses to 20 before the country after his
Nomination by the National Convention
at Kansas City in July, IT woqid DC
perhaps too much to say that Mr. Bryan
wrote the Lincoln platform, but 1t can
not be doubted that he helped TO write
Il, nor that the completed work repre-
sents his views authoritatively,.
The Chicago platform Of 1879 Is rear
Armed and endorsed lin whole and IN
part." as might have been expected
Declarations are made favoring y con-
stitutional amendment providing for an
income tax. and approving municipal
ownership Of municipal franchises The
Dingley tariff law is denounced as u
trustsbreeding and extortion invitihR
measure, skillfully devised for tho
purpose Of giving to u few favors which
they do not deserve, and Of placing upon
the many burdens which they sho"'a
not bear a.
On the subject Of the currency, the
Lincoln platform IL explicit. IL says
,'Instead of system which would chain
our nation to the gold standard ana
compel 1t TO participate In al the ais :
turbances which come to European
nations, we demand an American
financial system, made by the American
people for themselves, Ihe acuoh 0,
The Republican Administration and
Congress In handing over to the natiohal
banks the governmental power to issue
money for their own profit Ia severely
characterized, rs Is also the hypocrisy
OF the Republican party IN pretending
10 promote international bimetalllsn
publicly, while secretly working to de-
feat II. m ,..
1--WE oppose militarism. 1t imposes
upon the people an unnecessary burdeii
and IA a constant menace, A SINAI
standing army and well'equippe'
militia are sufficient In time of peace
In war the civil soldier should DC he
public's defence. :, ,,...
The grave constitutional issue raise'
by the attempt Of the Mckinley Ad
u,.nistrat!on, and III co.ccnspirators !,
Congress- to tax the trade OF the Ameri
can Territory Of Puerto Rico as foreig
commerce is treated exactly as we woul
have wished. The Lincoln platforl
says: p,o..o p,o.rtar,
hill, recently passed by u Repuoiica
House Of Representatives, rs . bold IN
open violation Of the nations organ
law and u fragrant breach OF good faiti
I've assert that the Constitute,
follows the flag, and denounce u
aoctrine that an Executive or Congress
created and limited by the Constitution
can exercise lawful authority beyoi
fhat Constitution or In violation OF IT,.
IL would be difficult 10 put tho Dem
cratic position In regard TO this attempt
Republican crime against humanity o
Fundamental law and our public hon
more clearly or ioroibly, II Is VI
TINT tho Issue should be taken up W
stsrn determination and settled, IL
sn, all the more because the course
the Administration In the Puerto kic
ininuity has been notoriously for'
nnon Il by the trusts against which
lincoln platform pledgos It's adhere
20 .'wage unceasing war Neitl
the President nor any OF his Followers
ConQress entertained the remotest II
~ breaking faith with the people
puerss R,co, or Of defying the Com
tution, until they were ordered 10
both by the projected trusts interos
an sxtortirg nnearned and cruel trib
srolp a starving American communi