Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-09-28

~, and maintaining a foreign scale OF
wages and living, must ever prove an
injustice to American producers, as
well as perpetual source OF trrlta-
ton.
The party expresses it's pride in the
soldiers and sailors Of all our wars,
and declares its purpose to deal gen
erously with them and their depend
ents. A liberal policy is natural and
necessary in government which de-
Ponds upon a citizen soldiery. instead
of large standing army. Self-inter-
est, as well as gratitude, compels the
government to make bountiful pro-
vision for those who, in the hour OF
danger. and at great sacrifice of bust
ness. health and life, tender their
services to their country.
The pension laws should be con-
strued according to the generous spirit
which prompted their passage. The
platform very properly reiterates the
position taken in 1896, that the fact of
enlistment shall be deemed conclusive
evidence that the soldier was sound
when the government accepted him.
A certificate given now to the health of
a person 40 years ago, even If easily
obtainable. should not have as much
weight as the certificate of the medical
officer who examined the volunteer
with view of ascertaining his fitness
for army service.
Nicaragua.
The Democratic party is in favor of
the Immediate construction, ownership
and control of the Nicaragua canal by
the United States. The failure Of the
Republican party to make any prog
ress in carrying out a pledge contained
in it's platform four years ago, together
with the substitution in it's latest plat
form of a plank favoring an isthmian
canal for specific declaration in IA
vor of the Nicaraguan canal, would in
dictate that the Republican leaders
either do not appreciate the Importance
of this great waterway to the mari
time strength and commercial inter-
ests of the country, or that they give
too much consideration to the interest
ed opposition of transcontinental lines.
The INTERCHANGEABLE treaty, now be-
fore the senate. would, if ratified,
greatly lessen the value of the canal.
if it. would not indeed convert it into
positive menace in time of war. The
paramount interests of the United
States in the western hemisphere, to-
gether with the obligations to defend
the republics to the south Of us, makes
it necessary that our government shall
1,<s oEfA 70
hostile power.
Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma
have long been ready to assume the
responsibilities and enjoy the privi-
leges of statehood. and it will be a
pleasure, as well as duty, to carry
! out the platform pledge concerning
them.
Alaska and Porto Rico.
There will be a popular acquiescence
| in the demand for home rule. and 8
| territorial form of government in
Alaska and Porto Rico Both are en-
titled to local self-government and
| representation in Congress.
The recognition contained in both
| the Democratic and Republican plat
| forms of the right of the Cubans to in
| dependence, removes the general prin-
ciple involved from the domain of par
tisan politics. It is proper, however
to consider whether the accomplish
| ment Of this purpose can be safely en-.
trusted to the Republican party after
| it has yielded to the allurements of the
! Colonial idea, and abandoned its ear
| lier faith in the natural and inalien
able rights of man.
Reclamation of Arid Lands.
! The time IS ripe for systematic ant
| extended effort to reclaim the arit
lands and fit them for actual settlers
The last agricultural report estimate
that homes can thus be provided TO
many millions of people. The i'm
pounding and use of the waters which
are wasted in the spring would peopl
the western states with thrifty, intelli
gent, and Industrious citizens, an,
these would furnish valuable marke
for all the products of the factories 1
small percentage of the money spen
in war of conquest would provide oc
cupation and habitation for more PEG
pie than would ever seek residenc
in colonies within the tropics.
Foreign Alliances.
The reasons given by Washington
Jefferson. and the other statesmen @
the early days in support of the doc
trine that we should maintain friendI
relations with all nations. but ente
into entangling alliances with none
are even stronger to-day than the
were hundred years ago. Our com