The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-07-29

eminent Tor a territory that II wishes 10
surrender and one winch IT does NOT IN
tend to retain. 1t may be dalrly stateu'
therefore. that the National demoolHNS
convention at Kansas CITY has annouhoou
in favor of the retention OF puerto Rleo'
and Tor It's government in accordanco wan
Inc constitution. Ia doing this 1t mas out
reiterated the time honored policy OF the
democratic party. 1t has always favored
the ACQUISITION CT Cuba, II II could be got
ten consistent with National honor. This
WIS the position OF Jeners3n, Monroe
Pierce, Buchanan, Sias Wright, Mason
SHdell Stephen A. Douglas and JEFFERSON
Davis. Ii was emphasized by Doth Wings
OF the democratic party In 1850, because
both National conventions explicitly de-
clared for lis acquisition, and therefore
they could not logically refuse to retaia
Puerto Rico, which 1t seems t1te has put
In our way.
The declaration in reference to the Phil
ipplnes is explicit. 1t opposes their ultl-
mute retention by this government, but
the practical effect OF the platform is 10
postpone the fnal decision TOR years Yet
TO come The declaration Is that We VIII
FIRST estgbllsh a stable goyernment there
To any one fairly iiiar with the con-
ditions Of those Islands, II will be APP
parent that the task can not be quickly
accomplished. 1t will take years Wheth-
er there Is material enough among the
Filpinos to constitute stable government
may well be doubted In view of the
statements made In the platform under
discussion, It must be admitted that such
material does not now exist II Will
therefore become the duty of this gov
eminent to control these islands until
such citizenship shall be acquired by edu-
cation or otherwise. Whether they will
want independence after the accomplish
ment of this purpose, it is useless to dis.
cuss sufficient unto the day is the evil
there1f" Therefore. that question mfy
be pretermitted AS 10 when a stable
government shall have been formed must
be decided by those upon whom the re-
sponsibility will rest when the question
is presented. There is no reason for di-
vision among democrats on this point.
Every democrat can heartily support the
platform
Expansionists need not hesitate. for the
platform wisely distinguishes between
territorial expansion and imperialism.
Territorial expansion Is acquiring desirable
territory by lawful means Imperialism
is ite acquisition or government by unlaw-
tNl means. ne pain QeCldIdllCu lpE
constitutional government in Puerto Rico
and in all other territory acquired by the
United States commends itself to every
thoughtful MIND. This the platform de-
clares to be the paramount issue, because
the opposite is imperialism.
The refusal of the republican party to
give to Puerto Rico the benefits of the
constitution, and to govern them outside
OF the constitution. IS Imperialism in its
worst form. The government of the
United States obtains all Of its Just powers
from the constitution. II 1t has the power
to acquire the territory that terri ory,
when acquired, must be governed by the
constitution. The efforts Of the republican
party 10 govern it otherwise is a reasser-
i9n Of that higher law" that dangerous
and damnable doctrine which has once be-
fore delugah this country with blood
The democratic party. true to It's tradi-
lions, remains the party of the constitu-
ton. 1t declares that the constitution and
the nag are inseparabe The constitution
Is the source of all power-the flag is bu.
its emblem. Where the power Of the gov
eminent extends it must be limited by the
source---the constitution. ANY mower eX-