The Van Buren press., 1900-07-14
rHh DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM,
DecIuration of Principles Adopted BY
the Democratic Convention
at Kansas City.

the Democratic Convention
at Kansas City.
Kansas City, Mo-, July 5.-The fol-
lowing is the platform as drawn by the
resolutions committee, submitted to
the convention and adopted unani-
ously:
Imperialism.
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 Deci'ra.ioii
of Independence, do reaffirm our taith III
that immortal proclamation of the IN
alienable rights of man and our allegiance
to the constitution framed IN harmohy
herewith by the fathers of the republic.
We hold with the United states su-
preine court that the Declaration OF IN
dependence Is the spirit of our govern
ment of which the constitution Is the
We declare again that all governments
Instituted among men derive their just
powers from the consent OF tne soNd1
upon the consent of the governed Is a
tyranny, and that to impose upon any
people government of force Is to supsur,
tute methods of imperialism for those oil
republic. , ,-,,...
we hold that the constitution follows
the flag, and denounce the doctrine thal
an executive or congress, deriving theli
existence and their powers from the con-
stitution, can exercise lawful authority
beyond It, or n violation of 1t.
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
evitably 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
tion of the nations organic law, ana a
fragrant breach of the national good latin
1t imposed upon the people or Forto
Rico government without their consent
and taxation without representation IL
dishonors the American people by repu-
dating a solemn pledge made in thelr pe-
half by the commanding general or our
army, which the Porto Ricans welcomed
to a peaceful and unresisted occupation
Of their land, II doomed to poverty ana
distress a people whose helplessness ap-
peas with peculiar force 20 our justice
and magnanimity In this, the first act
of its imperialistic programme, the re-
publican party seeks to commit the Unit
ed States to a colonial policy, inconsistent
with republican institutions and con-
demned by the supreme court In numer-
GUS decisions.
Cubm and the Philippines.
We demand honest fulhlment Of our
pledge to the Cuban people, that the
United States has no disposition or IN
tenton TO exercise sovereignty or Jurls-
diction over the island except for Its pa
cihcation. The war ended two years ago
ana profound peace reigns all over the
island, and stlll the administration OF
the island is withheld from It's people
while republican carpetbag officials PUN,
der It's revenues and exploit the colonial
theory to the disgrace of the American
people
We condemn the Philippine policy of the
present administration 1t has emorolle'
the republic in an unnecessary war, sac
rihced the lives of many Of It's nobles'
sons and placed the United States, pre-
yiously known and applauded throughout
the world as the champion OF freedom,
IA the false and ua-Am.rican post ion OF
crushing with military force the efforts
of our former allies to achieve liberty ana
self-goVernment.
The Filpinos can not be citizens with
out endangering our civilization; they can
not be subjects without imperiing our
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 Eli
ipinos. First, a stable from Of govern
ment; second, independence, and third,
protection from outside interference such
as has been given for nearly century TO
the republics of Central and South Ameri-
ca,
The greedy commercallsm which die
tated the Philippine policy of the re-
publican administration attempts to jus
tify II with the plea that 1t will pay, but
even this sordid and unworthy plea fails
when brought to the test of facts.
The war OF criminal aggression against
the F'ilipinos, entailing an annual ex-
pense Of many millions has already cost
more than any possible pront that can
accrue from the entire Philippine trade
for years to come Furthermore, when
trade Is extended at the expense OF lib
erty, the price Is always too high.
Territorial Expansion.
We are not opposed to territorial cxpan.
sion when II takes In desirable territory
which can be erected into states In the
Union, and whose people are willing ana III
to become American citizens We favor
legitimate means. But we are una.ter.
ably opposed to the SELLING or purchanst
Of distant Islands to be governed outside
the constitution, and whose people car
never become citizens.
We are In favor OF extending the Re.
| publcs influence among the nations, bu,
| believe that influence should be extended
| not by force and violence. but through
the persuasive power of high and non.
Orable example.
The Burning Issuc.
The importance OF other questions nov
pending before the American people II
| In no wise diminished, and the democratic
| party takes no backward step from ~
position on them; but the burning issu,
| OF Imperialism growing out OF the Sps plsl
war involves the very existence OF the ro'
| public and the destruction Of our free In
| stitutlons.
We regard u as the paramount is.
sue of the campaign.