Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1900-10-16
De|l0G0tic NQIiODQ| P|QItO|nl

U6IlublulIb nullUI|ul RlulIuIlll
We, the representatives of the Demo-
cratic party of the United States, assem-
bled in national convention, on the ami
versary of the adoption of the Declara-
ton of Independence, do reaff1rm our
faith in that immortal proclamation Of
allegiance to the Constitution framed
in harmony Herewith by the fathers Of
the republic.
We hold with the United States Su-
dependence is the spirit of our Govern
ment, of which the Constitution is the
form and letter. We declare again that
all governments instituted among men
derive their just powers from the con-
sent of the governed; that any govern
ment not based upon the consent of the
governed is tyranny; and that to impose
upon any people government of force
is to substitute the methods of imperial
ism for those of a republic.
We hold that the Constitution follows
the flag, and denOunce the doctrine that
an Executive or Congress, deriving their
existence and their powers from the Con-
stitution, can exercise lawful authority
beyond it or in violation of it. We assert
that no nation can long endure half re-
public and half empire; and we warn the
American people that imperialism abroad
will lead quickly and inevitably to des-
Believing in these fundamental prin-
ciples, we denounce the Porto Rico
law. enacted by Republican Congress.
Democratic minority, as bold and open
violation of the nations organic law
and a fragrant breach of the national
good faith. 1t imposes upon the people
Of Porto Rico a government without their
consent and taxation without representa-
ton. 1t dishOnors the American people
by repudiating a solemn pledge made in
their behalf by the commanding General
of our army, which Porto Ricans
welcomed to peaceful and unresisted
occupation of their land 1t doomed to
poverty and distress a people whose help
lessness appeals with peculiar force to
our justice and magnanimity. In this,
the first act of its imperialistic program,
the Republican party seeks to commit
inconsistent with republican institutions
and condemned by the Supreme Court in
numerous decisions.
Plank on the Cuban Question.
We demand the prompt and honest full
fllment of our pledge to the Cuban
people and the world. that the United
States has no disposition or intention
to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or
control over the island of Cuba. except
for its pacitication. The war ended near
ly two years ago, profound peace reigns
over all the island, and still the Admins
tration keeps the government of the
island from Its people, while Republican
carpetbag officials plumber its revenues
and exploit the colonial theory to the
disgrace of the American pepole.
Philippines Policy Condemned.
We condemn and denounce the Philip
1t has embroiled the republic in an un-
necessary war, sacrificed the lives of
many of its noblest sons, placed the Unit
ed States, previously known and applaud
ed throughout the world as the champion
of freedom, in the false and un-American
position of crushing with military force
the efforts of our former allies to achieve
liberty and elf-gOvernment. The Fill
pinOS cannot be citizens WITHOUT endan-
gering our civilization; they cannot be
subjects without imperiling our form of
government and we not willing to
surrender our civilization or to convert
the republic into an empire, We favor the
immediate declaration OF the nation S
purpose to givethe Filipinos, first, stable
form of government; second, independ-
ence, and third, protection from outside
interference, such as has been given for
nearly a century to the republics of Cen
trail and South America.
The greedy cOmmercialism which die
tated the Philippines policy of the Re-
publican Administration attempts to JUS
ufy it with the plea that it will pay, but
even this sordid and unworthy plea fails
when brought to the test of facts. The
war of criminal aggression against the
Flllpinos, entailing annually an expense
than any possible profit that could accrue
from the entire Philippine trade for
years to come Furthermore when trade
price is always too high.
Democrats and Territorial EXPANSION.
We are not opposed to territorial eX-
panslon, when it takes in desirable ter
ritory which can be ercled into States in
the Union, and whose people are willing
and lit to become American citizens. We
favor trade expansion by every peaceful
and legitimate means; but We are unal-
terably opposed to the Selling or ,pur-
chasing Of distant islands TO be governed
outside the Constitution and whose people
can never become citizens. We are in
favor of extending the republics influ-
ence among the nations, but believe that
and violence, but through the persuasive
power of a high and honorable example
Imperialism the Burning Issue.
pending before the American people is in
nowise diminished, and he Democratic
party takes no backward step from its
position on them. but the burning issue
of Imperialism, growing out of the Span
ish war, involves the very existence OF
the republic and the destruction of oul
paramount issue of the campaign.
The declaration in the Republican plat
form adopted at the Philadelphia conven-
zion, held in June; l9o0. that the Republi.
policy announced in the Monroe doctrine
is manifestly insincere and deceptive
This profession Is con tradlcted DS int
avowed policy of the party in opposition
to ihe spirit of the Monroe doctrine, tC
acquire and hold sovereignty over large
areas of territory and large numbers OF
people in the eastern hemisphere. We in
siSt on the strict maintenance of the Mon
roe doctrine in all its integrity, both ir
letter and in spirit, necessary to pre-
vent the extension of European author
ity on this continent and as essential tC
our supremacy in American affairs. Al
the same time we declare that no Amert'
can l,eo, lie Sh. II ever be held by force II
unwilling subsection to European au'
ihority.
Opposition to Mllitarism.
We oppose militarism. 1t means con-
guest abroad and intimidation and op
preston at home. 1t means the strong
arm, which has ever been fatal to fret
institutions. 1t is what millions of oul
citizens have fled from in Europe. 1t viii
impose upon our peacelOving people
large standing army, an unnecessary Dur
den of taxation and a constant menace
to their liberties. small staining army
and a well-disciplined State militia arr
sufficient in time of peace. This republic
has no place for a vast military service
and Consumption. When the nation is II
danger the volunteer soldier Is his cOun
trys best defender. The national guart
Of the United States should ever be cher
ished in the patriotic hearts of fret
neODle Such organizations are ever al