The leader., 1900-07-11
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
Declaration of Principles Adopted ~
the Democratic Conventions
at Kansas City.

ut Kansas City.
Kansas City, NO., July 5.-The fol-
lowing is the platform as drawn by the
resolutions committee, submitted TO
the convention and adopted unani-
L ously:
Imperialism.
We the representatives of the demo-
cratic party of the United states; asseIn-
bled in national convention, on the ami
versary of the adoption OF the DeciefaIoI'
of Independence, do reaffrm our iaith IN
that immortal proclamation OF inc IN.
alienable rights of man and our allegiance
to the constitution framed in harmony
Herewith by the fathers of the republic.
We hold with the United states su-
prelne court that the Declaration OF In
dependence is the spirit OF our govern
ment, of which the constitution Is the
form and letter. .-
Instituted among men derive their JUST
powers from the consent or the gov,
erned; that any government not odseu
upon the consent of the governed Is
tyranny, and that to impose upon any
people a government of force is 10 supstl<
tute methods of Imperialism for those Oh
we hold that the constitution follows
the flag. and denounce the doctrine that
an executive or congress, deriving theh
existence and their powers from the con- so, !,
beyond 1t, or in violation OF II.
We assert that no nation can long en-
dure half republic and half empire. ana
we warn the American people that impe-
rialism abroad will lead quickly ana IN
evitaby to despotism at home.
Believing in these fundamental prin-
ciples, we denounce the Porto RICO law,
enacted by republican congress against
the protest and opposition of the dem
ocratic minority, as bold and open VIOLA
ton of the nations organic law, ana a
fragrant breach of the national good faith.
1t imposed upon the people of Forto
Rico government without their consent
and taxation without representation. III
dshonors the American people by repu-
dating a solemn pledge made in their be-
half by the commanding general or our
army, which the Porto Ricans welcomed
to peaceful and unresisted occupation
of their land. 1t doomed to poverty and
distress a people whose helplessness APP
peals with peculiar force 20 our justice
and magnanimity. In this, the frst ACT
publican party seeks to commit the Unit
ed States to colonial policy, inconsistent
with republican institutions and con-
demned by the supreme court in numer-
Gus decisions.
Cnba and the Philippines.
We demand honest fulfillment of our
pledge to the Cuban people, that the
United States has no disposition or in
| tention to exercise sovereignty or 1ur1s-
diction over the island except for its pa.
| cification. The war e.lded two years ago
| and profound peace reigns all over the
island, and still the administration OF
| the island is withheld from its. people
while republican carpetbag officials plum,
der its revenues and exploit the colonial
| theory to the disgrace of the American
people.
We condemn the Philippine policy of the
present administration. 1t has em5roile6
| the republic in an unnecessary war. sac
| riticed the lives of many of its MOBILES
| sons and placed the United States, pre-.
| viously known and appauded throughout
| the world as the champion of freedom
| in the false and unAmerican position OF
| crushing with military force the efforts
| of our former allies to achieve liberty anC
| self-goVernment.
| The Filipinos can not be citizens with
| out endangering our civilization; they car
not be subjects without imperiling oul
| form of government, and as we are not
| convert the Republic into an empire
We favor an immediate declaration Of
| the nations purpose to give to the Fill
| ipinos. First, stable from of govern
| ment; second, independence, and third
protection from outside interference sucf
| as has been given for nearly a century t
| the republics of Central and South Ameri
| ca.
The greedy commercialism which die
| tated the Philippine policy of the re
publican administration attempts to jus
| tify it with the plea that it will pay, bu
even this sordid and unworthy plea fail:
| when brought to the test of facts.
| The war of criminal aggression agains
| the Filipinos. entailing an annual ex
pense of many millions, has already cos
| more than any possible profit that car
| accrue from the entire Philippine trade
| for years to come. Furthermore, wher
| trade is extended at the expense of lib
erty, the price is always too high.
| Territorial Expansion.
| We are not opposed to territorial expan
| sion when it takes in desirable territ Dry
| which can be erected into states in tn,
| Union, and whose people are willing ara ii
to become American citizens. We favo
| trade expansion by peaceful ant
| legitimate means. But we are una.ter
| ably opposed to the Selling or purchans,
| of distant islands to be governed outsiJ,
| the constitution, and whose people car
| never become citizens.
| We are in favor of extending the Re
| public's influence among the nations, bu
| believe that influence should be extendet
not by force and violence. but through
the persuasive power of high and non
| orable example.
| The Burning Issue.
| The importance of other questions nov
pending before the American people Il
| in no wise diminished, and the democratic
party takes no backward step from It.
| position on them: but the burning ISSUE
| of Imperialism growing out of the SpSnisl
war involves the very existence of the re
public and the destruction Vt our free in
| situations.
| We regard 1t as the paramount IL
| sue of the campaign.