The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-07-14
The Platform

KANSAS CITT, July 5.-The full text Of the
platform adopted BY the Democratic National
Committee Is as follows:
We, the representatives OF the Democratic
party 0f the United States, assembled ia Con
yeution on the anniversary Of the adoption ni
the Declaration Of Independence. do reaihrm
our faith ia that immortal proclamation Of the
inalienable rights of man aud our allegiance
To the Constitution framed Ia harmony there
with by the fathers OF the Republic. We hold
with the United States Supreme Court that
the Declaration Of Independence Is the spirit
Of our Government Of which the Constitution
i the form and letter We declare again tina,
all governments instituted among men derive
their lust powers from the consent Of the gov
erned; that any government not based upon
the consent OF the governed Is tyranny; aud
! that 20 impose on any people government Of
force is 10 substitute the methods OF imperial
ism for those OF a republic. We hold that
the Constitution follows the flag aud denounce
the doctrine that an Executive or Congress
deriving their existence and their powers from
/ the Constitution can exercise lawful authority
beyond il or in violation Of II. 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.
PORTO RICO Law DENOUNCED.
Believing in these fundamental principles,
We denouuce the Porto Rcolaw enacted by
a Republican Congress against the protest aud
opposition Of the Democratic minority
bold and open violation OF the nation 5 organic
law aud u fragrant breach Of the national good
faith. II imposes upon the people of Porto
Rico a government without their consent and
taxation without representation. Ii dishnnors
the American people by repudiating & solemn
pledge made in their behalf by the command
ing general OF our army, which the Porto
Ricans welcomed to n peaceful and unresisted
occupation of their land. Ii dOoms to poverty
and distress people whose helplessness ap.
peals with peculiar force to our justice and
magnanimity. Ia this the first act of its i'm
perialistic programme. the Republican party
seeks to commit the United States To Il colonial
policy. inconsistent with Republican institu-
lions and condemned by the Supreme Court
in numerous decisions.
OUR PLEDGE TO CUBA.
We demand the prompt and honest fulfil
ment of our pledge TO The Cuban people aud
the world that the United States has no dis
position nor intention TO exercise sovereignty
jurisdiction or control over the island of Cuba
except for its pacihcaton. The war ended
nearly two years ago, profound peace reigns
over all the lslanu, ana sun the AumlblstIa-
ton keeps the government of the island from
its people, while Republican carpet bag Off
ciais plumber its revenues and exploit the
colonial theory to the disgrace of the Ameri-
can people.
PHILIPPINE POLICY
We condemn and denounce the Philippine
policy of the present Administration. 1t has
involved the Republic in unnecessary war,
sacrificed the lives of many of our nOblest
sous, aud placed the United States, previously
known and applauded throughout the world
as the champion of freedom, in the false and
un-American position of crushing, with mill
tary force. the efforts of our former allies to
achieve liberty and self government. The
Filipnos cannot be citizens without endanger-
ing our civilization; they cannot be subjects
without importing our form of government,
and as we are not willing to surrender our
civilization or to convert the Republic into
an empire, we favor an immediate declaration
of the nation 5 purpose to give to the tiipinos,
first stable form of government; second,
independence, and third, protection from out
side interference, such as has been given for
nearly century to the Republics of Central
and South America.
The greedy commercialism which dictated
the Philippine policy of the Republican Ad-
ministratiOn, attempts TO justify 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 Filipinos entailing an annual ex-
pense of many millions, has already cost
more than any possible profit that could &C