The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-07-10
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10, 1900.
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
imperialism the Main Issue, Hut Six
teen to One Is sim
Pnrty slogan.


Party slogan.
We. the representatives OF the Demo-
cratic party Of the United States assem-
bled in convention on the anniversary or
the adoption of the Declaration OF INDIE
pcndenoe do reaffirm our faith In that I'M
mortal proclamation of the inalienabie
rights of man and our allegiance TO the
constitution framed in harmony there
with by the fathers of the republic. We
hold with the United States supreme
court that the Declaration OF lndepend-
ence is the spirit OF our government, OF
which the constitution Is the form and
letter. We declare again that all govern
ments instituted among men derive their
Just powers from the consent of the gov
erned that any government not based
upon the consent OF the governed Is a
tyranny: and that TO impose on any peo-
pie government of. force is to substitute
the methods OF imperialism for those OF
republic. We hold that the constitution
follows the flag and denounce the doctrine
that an executive or congress, deriving
their existence and their power from the
constitution, can exercise lawful author
ity 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 imperial
Ism ABROAD VIII ledu QuiChig dAiA AhNN-N
ably to deSpOtlsm at home.
Believing in these fundamental prin-
ciples. we denounce the Porto RICO law.
enacted by a Republican congress, agaInss'
the protest and opposition OF the Demo
cratic minority, as a bold and open vio-
laton of the nations organic law and
fragrant breach Of the national good
faith. 1t imposes upon the people OF
Porto Rico government without their
consent and taxation without representa-
ton. 1t dishonors the American peo-
pie by Tepudlating a solemn pledge mace
In their behalf by the commanding gen.
eral of our army. which the Porto RicanS
welcomed to a peaceful and unresisted oc-
cupation OF their land. II doomed 10
poverty and distress a people whose helD-
lessness appeals with peculiar force 70
our justice and magnanimity. In this
the first act OF its imperialistic program,
the Republican party seeks to commit
the United States TO a colonial policy, in
consistent with republican Institutions
and condemned by the supreme court In
numerous decisions.
We demand the prompt and honest full
fllment OF our pledge to the Cuban peo-
pie and the world that the United states
has no disposition nor intention 70 eNer-
else sovereignty, Jurisdiction OF control
pacifcatlon. The war ended nearly two
years ago, profound peace reigns over all
the island. and still the administration
keeps the government Of the island from
its people. while Republican carpet bag
officials plumber its revenues and exploit
the colonial theory to the disgrace OF the
American people.
Philippines Policy Denounced.
We condemn and denounce the Philip
pine policy Of the present administration.
II has involved the republic IN unneces-
sary war, sacrificed the lives OF many OF
our noblest sons and placed the United
States, previously known and applauoed
throughout the world as the champion OF
freedom. in the false and unamerican po-
sltlon OF crushing with military force the
efforts Of our former allies to- achieve
liberty and self government. The Fill
pinos cannot be citizens without endan-
gering our civilization; they cannot be
subjects without imperiling 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 nations
purpose to give to the Filipinos first
stable form of government, second. inde-
pendence, and third. protection from out
side interference such as has been given
for nearly q century TO the republics OF
Central and South America
The greedy commercialism which dc
tated the Philippine policy OF the Repub-
lican administration attempts to justify
n with the plea that II 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 expense Of many mil
lions, has already cost more than any
possible profit that could accrue from the
entire Philippine trade for years to come.
Furthermore when trade is extended at
the expense OF liberty the price Is always
too high.
We are not opposed to territorial ex-
pansion when 1t takes In desirable terri
tory which can be erected into states In
the Union and whose people are willing
and At 70 become American citizens. We
favor expansion by every peaceful and
legitimate means. But we are unalterably
opposed to seiEing or purchasing dis
tant islands to be governed outside the
constitution and whose people can never
become citizens.
We are in favor Of extending the re-
publics influence among the nations. but
believe that influence should be extended
not by force and violence, but through
the persuasive power Of high and hon
orable example.
The Importance Of other questions now
pending before the American people is In
powise diminished, and the Democratic
party takes no backward step from its
position on them, but the burning Issue
OF imperialism growing out OF the Span
fish war involves the very existence of
the republic and the destruction Of our
free institutions. We regard 1t as the
paramount issue Of the campaign.
Republican Insincerity.
The declaration in the Republican plat
form adopted at the Philadelphia con-
vention, held In June 1900 that the Re-
publican party "steadfastly adheres to
the policy announced in the Monroe doc
trine" is manifestly insincere and de-
ceptive. This profession is contradicted
by the avowed policy of that party In OPP
position to the spirit of the Monroe doc
trfne to acquire and hold sovereignty
over large areas of territory and large
numbers of people in the eastern hemis-
phere. We insist on the strict mainten-
ance Of the Monroe doctrine and In all It's
integrity, both in letter and in spirit, as
necessary to prevent the extension of
European authority on this continent and
as essential to our supremacy IN American
affairs At the same time we declare
that no American people shall ever be
held by force in unwilling subsection to
European authority.
We oppose militarism. It means con-
quest abroad and intimidation and OPP
preston at home. 1t means The strong
arm which has ever been fatal to free
institutions II Is what millions of our
citizens have fled from in Europe 1t
will impose upon our peace loving peo-
pie a large standing army and unneces-
sary burden of taxation and a constant
menace to their liberties. small stand
ing army and a well disciplined state
militia are amply sufficient In time of
peace. This republic has no place for a
vast military service and conscription.
When the nation is in danger the vol |
unteer soldier IL his country's best de-
fender The national guard Of the Uni |
ted States should ever be cherised in the |
patriotic hearts Of free people. Such |
ORGANIZATIONS are ever an element of !
strength and safety. For the first time |
In our history and co-cvil with the Phil |
ippipe conquest has there been q whole
sale departure from our time honored |
and approved system of volunteer or |
ganization. We denounce II as unameri- |
Irx L. nd ~