Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1900-07-12


ed by the democratic national conven-
tion July 5, on which the leaders, Bry-
an and Stevenson, candidates for the
presidency and vice presidency stand.
The platform, as a declaration of prin-
ciples of the American government,
is commended to the earnest atten-
tion of every citizen and his support
for the same is asked, as a matter of
plain self-interest and regardless Of
past party preferences: ...
We, the representatives of the DEM
Ocratic party of the United States,
assembled in national convention on
the anniversary of the adoption Of the
Declaration of Independence, do re-
affirm our faith in that immortal pro-
clamation of the inaleinable rights of
man, and our allegiance to the cOnsti-
tuition framed in harmony Herewith
by the fathers OF the republic.
We hold with the United States
supreme court that the Declaration of
Independence is the spirit OF our gov
ernment, of which the constitution is
the form Of letter.
We declare again that all govern
ments instituted among men derive
their Just powers from the consent of
the governed; that any government
not based upon the consent OF the
governed is a tyranny, and that to i'm
pose upon any people a government Of
force is to substitute the methods of
Imperialism for those Of a republic.
We hold that the constitution fol-
lows the flag, and denOunce the doct"
rine that an executive or congress de.
irving their existence and their power
from the constitution can exercise
lawful authority beyond it, or in vio-
latiOn of it.
Imperialism Leads on to Despotism.
We assert that no nation can long
endure half republic and half empire,
and we warn the American people
that imperialism abroad will lead
quickly and inevitably to despotism
at home.
Believing in these fundamental
principals, we denounce the Porto
Rico law, enacted by a republican
congress against the protest and Op'
position of the democratic minority,
as bold and open violation of the
nations organic law, and fragrant
breach of the national good faith. 1t
imposes upon the people OF Porto
Rico government without their con.
sent, a taxation without representa-.
tion. It dishOnors the American
people by repudiating a solemn pledge
made in their behalf by the com.
manding general OF our army, which
the Porto Ricans welcomed to a
peaceful and unresisted occupation Of
their land. 1t doomed to poverty and
distress people whose helplessness
appeals with peculiar force to oul
Justice and magnanimity. In this
the first act of it's imperialiStic pro
gram, the, republican party seeks tC
commit the United States to colon.
ial policy, inconsistent with republi.
can institutions and condemned by
the supreme. court in numerous de-
ciSiOnS.
We demand the prompt and honest
fulfillment of our pledges to the
Cuban people and the world, that the
United States has no disposition OF
intention to exercise sovereignty, juris
diction or control over the island OF
Cuba, except for it's pacifcation
The war closed nearly two years ago
profound peace reigns over all the is
land, and still the administrator
keeps the government of the islanC
from it's people, while carpetbae
officials plumber its revenues and ex
ploit the colonial theory to the dis.
grace of the American people.
Give FiIipinos Ind pcndence and Pro
tectOrate.
We condemn and denounce the
Philippine policy Of the present ad
ministration. 1t has embroiled the
republic in an unnecessary war, sac
riticed the lives Of many OF its noblest
sons, and placed the United States
previously known and applaudec
throughout the world as the champ,
ion of freedom, in the false and un
American position OF crushing with
military force the efforts of our for
mer allies to achieve liberty and self
government. The Filipinos cannot be
citizens without endangering oul
civilizations: they cannot be subjects
without imperilling our form of gov
ernment, and as we are not willing
to surrender our civilization or to con
vert the republic into an empire. We
faror an immediate declaration of the
nations purpose to give to the Fill
pinos, first, stable form of govern
ment: second, Independence, and
third, protection from outside inter
ference, such as has been given fol