The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-08-11
Democratic iiindard bearer.

il We look IN vain for another illustra.
ton in American politics Of a mar
standing up in the presence OF the ma,
ton, with his party assembled for the
express purpose OF naming him its
standard bearer, and announcing to
his party convention that he would
rather be right than be president -
Any man who is capable o; accomplish
ing such results, under such circum-
stances in American politics is fitted
to be the leader OF the greatest party
in the country, and no honest man
can question his pre-eminent fitness for
the highest position in the republic.
consider the platform the ablest and
most practical document ever promul-
gated by any political party. 1t will go
down in history side by side with the
declaration of independence 1t EN-
bodies the Democracy OF Jefferson and
Jackson, as we'll as the Americanism OF
Washington, Lincoln and Bryan.
With honest and courageous declara.
tons upon other issues it places the
Democratic party in position to con-
tend for the preservation of the princi-
pies OF the declaration of independence,
the guarantees OF the constitution and
the cherished institutions of the repub-
lie.
The platform has been matter OF
serious and able discussion for four
years. 1t was adopted in its entirety
without dissenting vote. 1t must be
regarded as the deliberate and final
Judgment of the trusted party leaders
from all parts of the nation, and should
be recognized by all Democrats as the
authoritative declaration OF the party's
policy. No Democrat will seek to avoid
or shrink from discussion OF any OF its
planks, or make any apology for their
existence. Upon this platform the party
can make an honest, vigorous, aggress-
i've and patriotic campaign. 1t is graft
flying that the constituted representa-
tives Of the party said what they meant
and meant what they said.
The fact that it makes imperialism the
paramount issue is no surrender OF any
principle announced by its other decla-
rations. AS to the paramount issue it
must be conceded by all who cherish
the republic, that imperialistic expan-
sion involving a reckless abandonment
Of our whole theory of government is,
by its very nature, the most paramount
and pressing political question before
the American people at the present
time. This government is strong
enough to exist for time under any
system OF finance, even the single gold
Standard" and it may and can exist 70,
years to come, though honeycombed
with trusts, but every intelligent citizen,
who understands the nature OF this gov
ernment, must conccde that the republic
is doomed to die the moment the ship Of
state is launched among the destructive
rocks of imperialism and militarism.
The record of the present Republican
administration has forced this issue to
the front. The sentiment of Democracy
will be patriotism" its battle cry Save
! the republic" However much the Re-
publican leaders may attempt to dodge
their party's record it is certain that the
| Republican large lead dollar of four
years ago will be supplanted by the sig
nifcant picture OF the sad-faced peasant
carrying through his daily toll a soldier
on his back. as suggested by Carl
Schurz