The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1900-07-12
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM
Full Text of the Resolutions Adopted by the Ma
tional Convention at Kansas City.

| FuII lCAI VI IllC NCSOlu'
tiOnal Convention
| 20 HE Official text of the platform As
adopted by the Democratic national
= convention ut Kansas City is as
follows:
| We, the representatives of the Democratic
| party of the United States assembled In ma
| iiOnal convention on the anniversary OF the
adoption OF the declaration of independence,
i do reafiirm our faith In that immortal proc
lamation Of the inalienable rights OF man,
and our allegiance to the Constitution
framed In harmony Herewith by the fathers
Of the republic. We hold with me oniteu
| States Supreme Court that the declaration
| Of Independence is the spirit Of our govern
.nent. of which the Constitution Is the FORM
| Gnd letter.
| We declare again that all governments in
stituted among men derive their just powers
| from the consent Of the governed; that any
| government not based upon the consent oi
the governed is tyranny, and that TO I'M
| pose upon any people form of government
| Of force is TO substitute the methods OF I'M
| periallsm for those Of a republic.
We hold that the Constitution follows the
| flag and denounce the doctrine that an cN-
ecutive or Congress deriving their existence
and their powers from the Constitution can
| exercise lawful authority beyond It OF III
violation OF 1t.
|
| half republic and half empire, and we warn
| the American people that imperialism
| abroad will lead quickly and inevitably TO
despotism at home.
Denounce Porto Rican Law.
Believing In these fundamental principles,
we denounce the Porto Rico law, enacted ny
| Republican Congress, against the protest
| and opposition Of the Democratic minority,
| as bold and open violation OF the nation
organic law and a fragrant breach OF the
national good faith.
1t imposes upon the people Of Porto Rico
n government without their consent, anu
taxation without representation.
1t dishonors the American people by re-
| pudlating solemn pledge made In their be-
half by the commanding general OF our
army, which the Porto Ricans welcomed 10
| a peaceful and unresisted occupation OF their
land. 1t doomed to poverty and distress
culiar force to our justice and magnanimity.
In this. the first act OF Its imperialistic pro-
gram, the Republican party seeks to COM
init the United States TO Il colonial poncy:
condemned 10y the Suprecse Csurt In numer-
Gus decisions.
Demands Good Faith with Cuba.
ment Of our pledge to the Cuban people and
the world that the United States has no dis
position nor Intention to exercise sovereign
ty. Jurisdiction, or control over the island OF
The war ended nearly two years ago, pro.
found peace reigns over all the island, and
still the administration keeps the govern
ment Of the island from its people while Re
publican carpetbag officials plumber ITS rev
enues and exploit the colonial theory, to the
disgrace Of the American people.
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
sons. and placed the United States. previous
ly known and applauded throughout the
world as the champion Of freedom. In the
false and un-American position OF crushing
with military force the efforts of our former
allies TO achieve liberty and self government
The Filipinos cannot be citizens without
endangering our civilization; they cannot be
subjects without imperiling our form OF gov
ernment, and rs We are not willing 10 sur
render our civilization or to convert the re-
public into an empire. we favcr an imine-
diate declaration Of the nations purpose OF
give to the Filipinos first a stable form OF
government; second, Independence. and
third. protection from outside Interference
such as has been given for nearly a century
to the republics of Central and South
America.
Scores Philippine Policy.
The greedy commercialism which dictated
the Philippine policy Of the Republican ad-
ministration attempts to justify 1t with the
and unworthy plea fails when brought to
the test of facts. The war Of criminal az
gressiOn against the Filipinos, entailing an
annual expense Of many millions. has al
ready cost more than any possible pront thar
could accrue from the entire Philippine TRACE
for years to come. Furthermore. when trade
Is extended ut the expense Of liberty the
price Is always too high.
We are not opposed to territorial expan-
sion when Ii takes In desirable territory
which can be erected into States In Union
and whose people are willing & and ti, Mt TO Se De
expansion by every peaceful and legitimate
means.
But we are unalterably opposed to the
seizure or purchase Of distant Islands to be
governed outside the Constitution and
whose people can never become citizens.
Holds imperialism Paramount.
We are in favor Of extending the republics
influence among the nations. but believe that
influence should be extended not by force
and violence. but through the persuasive
power Of a high and honorable example.
pending before the American people Is In no
wise diminished. and the Democratic party
takes no backward step from its position on
them, but the burning Issue OF Imperialism,
growing out Of the Spanish war, involves the
very existence Of the republic and the de-
struction Of our free institutions.
We regard it as the paramount issue of
the campaign.
The declaration In the Republican platform
adopted at the Philadelphia convention, held
in June, 1900. that the Republican party
'.steadfastly adheres to the policy announced
In the Monroe doctrine" Is manifestly inSln-
cere and deceptive.
This profession Is contradicted by the
ayOwed policy Of that party In opposition TO
the spirit Of the Monroe doctrine to acquire
and hold sovereignty over large areas OF ter
ritory and large numbers of people in the
eastern hemisphere.
Must Uphold Monroe Doctrine.
We insist on the strict maintenance of the
Monroe doctrine and In all its integrity. both |
In letter and in spirit, as necessary to pre- |
vent the extension Of European authority on
this continent and as essential to our su |
premacy In American affairs.
At the same time We declare that no
American people shall ever be held by force
In unwilling subsection to European au-
thority.
We oppose militarism. 1t means conquest |
abroad and intimidation and oppression at
home. II means the strong army which has |
ever been fatal TO free Institutions.
1t Is what millions Of our citizens have |
hed from In Europe. 1t will impose upon our |
peace-l0ving people large standing army |
and an unnecessary burden OF taxation and |
q constant menace to their liberties.
small standing army and well disci |
plined 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 volunteer |
soldier Is his cOuntry's best defender.
The National Guard Of the United States |
should ever be cherished In the patriotic |
neaftS OF 1ree people. Sucn ORGANIZATIONS |
are ever an element Of strength and safety. |
For the first time In our history and CO. |
evil with the Philippine conquest has there |
been a wholesale departure from our time |
honored and approved system of volunteer |
organization.
We denounce 1t as un-American, un-demo-
cratic and un-repubican. and a subvcr- !,
sion OF the ancient and fixed principles OF II |
free people.
Trusts Are Scored.
Private monopolies are indefensibe and |
intolerable. They destroy competition, con-
troll the price Of all material. and of the fin
ished product, thus robbing both producer ,
and consumer.
They lessen the employment of labor and .
arbitrarily fX the terms and conditions
thereof, and deprive Individual energy and
small capital OF their opportunity for bet
terment.
They are the most efficient meaEs vet de-
vised for appropriating the fruits Of indus
try to the benefit Of the few at the expense
OF the many. and unless their insatiate greed