The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-03-23

OF the Late NChra1ith pamoeratie
platform Conaldo Eod--AS tho Doc
umsnt Wa Admittedly Approved
BY III, Bryan, It Ray Be Taken a5
4 Forecast Of the Democratic Ma
tional Flatforra.
10 tho Editor Of the Intelllgenesr.
sIR:-''We assert mat the constitution
follows the nag ana denounce the
doctrine an executive OF q congress
created ana limited by the constitution,
can exercise lawful authority beyond
that constitution o. In violation Of IL
believing that a nation cannot long en-
dure half republican and half empire
we oppose wars Of conquest and CO.
Ioiial possessions"
The arst part OF this paragraph and
the last part are Of very great moment
and as the platform. adopted BY MT
Bryan's approval. foreshadoWs the con-
tentions 70 come up IN the approaching
campaign, It seems right and proper
that the 1ntelligeneer might give some
space to its confederation.
IN the frst place. what Is meant BY
the assertion shat the constitution fol-
lows the aagT
It occurs to your correspondent It
means that the great instrument
spreads itself over and looks itself au-
tomatlcaIly around or upon any place
occupied in any way or by any means
by the forces or physical acts Of any Of
flclal Of the United states-for instance,
Dewey's acts. under orders Of the Pres
ident. or Miles acts, under orders. or
as in cuba-the nag was raised in these
places-o officially raised.
Is It Mr.. Bryan's contention that the
constitution went there in all Its rigor
the Instant the flag reached the peak OF
the staff and the haiyards were tled7
The Nebraska platform says It and 1t
Is agreed Mr.. Bryan framed the declar-
alton.
It appears to me this introduces the
same doctrine John c. Calhoun wii'ed
to US and which was disposed Of at APP
pomattox.
It means that so soon as rebellion
ceases in the Philippines the people
there have a right to proceed. or now.
for that matter. without further acts
on the part Of Congress or anyone. TO
take a census, elect legislature con-
gressmen and two senators. 1t means
those people cannot, except by force o.
arms, be independent, that the United
States cannot confer, give OF let them
have independence, because the consti-
tuition, the platform says, follows the
flag, and therefore is locked upon the
land and people. Would anyone say
the state Of West Virginia can be indie
pendent OF the United States, or Artzo-
ma, or Alaska? Can Congress give the
Porto Ricans or the Filipinos indepen-
dence? Not according to this declara-
tlon in the platform.
After asserting the constitution tol-
lows the flag, the platform (says Mr.
Bryant wants an Immediate declara-'
ton Of the nations purpose to give 70
the FiliplnoS, first, stable form OF
government; (why the constitutions
there); second, Independence 1.-THE con-
stitution Is locked on thenil, and, third,
protection from outside interference.
Is the constitution a stable form OF
government" Isn't 1t there? Men who
are acquainted with the beliefs and de-
ciaratiOns Of Jefferson, Madison, Nom
roe, jackson and others, have good rea.
son 10 believe they knew something OF
this same constitution which has been
amended fifteen times.
- -. ~ 49, NlarIu FNmE
while the paddock" Of the constitution
IL always in the i1ands OF the people Of
the nation I'm their Congress), vet II
does not open and shut with "snap,
hut must be placed and closed by
them when they see At and is not an
automatic continuance.
It Is a fair thing to say that the but
ton may be pressed and the Tight OF
the constitution" Is shed upon peo-
pie, but that people do then ana there,
by the pressing OF the button of the
eight plant" become part OF the
plant Is an absurd thing to say.
And then to accord the Filipinos indie
pendence and at the same time pro
tectr them. What a thing that would
be! How pleasant a situation this
would become. This would indeed be
PandOra's box, with all the troubles let
out ana hltnOut tHe AOPS VA FS''-S
shut in.
The whole thing, this platform, seems
to me SO contradictory that It is mat
ter OF wonderment that a man or men
Of intelligence could announce such
doctrines.
Pardon the attempt to enCroach on
your valuable space. but the Intelligent
Ger began its career when these very
questions were shaving the foundation
Of the Union.
From my own standpoint, I feel l
have right to express myself. since
my father lost his life at Winchester
fighting this, as well as other assertions
or doctrines.
I beg to be your obedient servant,
JASPER P. BRADLEY.
Hancock County. March u, 1900.