The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-07-11
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
Adopted at Kansas CITY, July 5. 1900.

D6MUUhAl1O IIhlI OhMi
Adopted at Kansas City, July 5. 1900
We the representatives Of the Democrat,
party Of the United States, assembled in ma
tional convention on the anniversary OF tn,
adoption OF the Declaration Of Independence
do reaffirm our faith In that immortal pro
clamation OF the inalienable rights of mar
and our allegiance to the constitution framec
In harmony Herewith by the fathers OF tht
republic. We hold with the United State,
pendence is the spirit of our government. O.
which the constitution Is the form and letter
We declare again that all governments Insti
tuted among men derive their just powers
government not based upon the consent o.
the governed Is q tyranny; and that TO Inn
pose upon any people government Of force
Is to substitute the methods Of imperialism
stitution follows the flag. and denounce the
doctrine that an executive or congress deriy
Ing their existence and their powers from the
constitution can, exercise lawful authority be
yond 1t, or In violation OF 1t. We assert that
half empire, and we warn the American peo
pie that Imperialism abroad will lead quickly
and inevitably,to to despotism at home.
~ PORTO RIcAN POLICY. Nt. W.
J. Believing in these fundamental principles
we denounce the Porto Rican law enacted by
republican congress; against the protest
and Opposition OF the democratic minority az
@ bold and open violation of the nations or.
eanic law and q fiagrant breach of the nation,
al good faith. II imposes upon the people Of
ton. It disbonors the American people by
repudiatipg solemn pledge made In their
behalf by the commanding general Of our
army, which the Porto Ricans welcomed to a
1f,l nn1 fnd n nj hni
land. 1t doomed TO poverty and distress a
people whose helplessness appeals with peeu
liar force to our Justice and magnanimity. In
this, the fret act OF its imperialistic program
United States 10 colonial policy, inconsis
tent with republican institutions and ICON.
demned by the supreme court In numerous
decisions. - .'.. .. a
CUBA MUST BE FREE. rf3
. We demand the prompt and honest fulfill:
ment Of our pledge to the Cuban people and
the world that the United States has no dis
position no intention to exercise sovereignty,
Cuba except for It's pacificatioh. The wal
ended nearly two years ago, profound peace
reigns over all the island, still the adminis.
from its people while republican carpet.bag
officials plunder It's revenues and exploit the
colonial theory to the digrace OF the Philip
pine people. r. ~
H., PHILIPPINE POLICY UN-AMERICAN.
We condemn and denounce the Philippine
policy Of the present administration. 1t has
Involved the republic In unnecessary war,
sacrificing the lives Of many of our noblest
sons and placed the United States, previously
known and applanded throughout the world
as the champion of,freedom, In the false and
position Of crushing with mill.
tary force the efforts Of former allies TO
achieve liberty and selfgovernment. The
Filipipos cannot be citizens without endan-
gering our civilization; they cannot be sub.
ment, and as we are not willing to surrender
our civilization or to convert the republic into
an empire, we favor an immediate declara.
tion OF the nations purpose: First, q stable
form Of government; second, indepen
and third, protection from outside interter.
ence such as has been given for nearly CEN
tury to the republics Of Central and South
America.
The greedy commerclaism which dictates
the Philippine policy OF the republican ad.
plea that 1t will 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 an annual ex.
pense of many millions, has already cost
crue from the entire Philippine trade for
years to come. Furthermore, when trade Is
extended with the expense OF liberty the
price Is always 100 hlgn.
TWO KINDS OF EXPANSION.
We are not opposed 10 territorial ex pansion
when 1t takes In desirable territory which can
be erected into states In the Union and whose
people are willing and fit TO become Ameri'
can citizens We favor expanion by every
eaceful and legimate means. But we are un.
alterabIy opposed to seizing or purchasing ol
distant Islands to be governed outside the
constitution and whose people can never be-
come citizens.
influence should be extended not by force and
violence, but through the persuasive power o
a high and honorable example.
The importance OF old questions now pend
ing before the American people Is In no wise
diminishing and the democratic party takes
no back ward step from Its position ON them
but the burning Issue OF imperialism growing
out OF the Spanish war Involves The very eX
istence of the republic and the destruction o.
our free institutions and we regard II as the
paramount issue OF the campaign.
REPUBLICAN HYPOCRISY.
The declaration In the republican platform
adopted at the Philadelphia convention, held
in June. 1900, that the republican party
In the Monroe doctrine" is manifestly insin
cere and deceptive. This profession is contra
dicted by the avowed policy OF that party 1r
OPPOSITION 10 tne SplrlG Oh tnS MOuTOe uOC
trine to acquire and hold sovereignty ovel
large areas of territory and large numbers o
people in the eastern hemisphere. We insls
on the strict maintenance OF the Monroe doc
trine and In all Its integrity, both In lette
and in spirit as necessary to prevent the e&
tension Of European authority on this con
tinent and as essential TO our supremacy II
American affairs. At the same time W.
declare that no American people shall eve
be held by force In unwilling subsection t
European authority.
OPPOSE MILITARIsM.
We oppose militarIsm. 1t means conques
abroad and in intimidation and oppression
home. 1t means the strong arm which ha
ever been fatal TO free institutions II is wha
millions of the citizens have fled from ii
Europe. It will impose upon our peace low
ing people large standing army and unnec
esssary burden OF taxation anil constan
menace to their liberties. A small standing
army and q we'll disciplined state militia ar
amply sufficient In time OF peace. This re
public has no place for vast military service
and conscription.
When the nation is in danger the voluntee
soldier is his country's best defender. Th
national guard OF the United States shoult
ever be cherished in the patriotic hearts Of ,
free people. Such organizations are ever al
element OF strength and safety. For the f1rs
time in our history and coeval with the Phil
ppine conquest has there been wholesal
departure from the time honored and approx
ed system of volunteer organization. w,
denounce 1t as un.American, un.democrati
and un-republican and as a subversion OF tht
ancient and fixed principles OF free people
TRUSTS AND MoNopoLIEs.
Private monopolles are indefensible ant
intolerable. They destroy competition. con
trOt the nrIpa 0f all mafnr1al and of the finish