The Portland daily press., 1900-07-06

to them and their dependents and we re-
iterate the position taken in the Chicago
platform in 1896 that the fact OF enlist
ment and service shall be deemed conclu-
sive evidence against disease ana as
ability before enlistment.
We favor the Immediate construction,
ownership and control of the Nicaragua
canal by the United States and we de-
nounce the insincerity OF the plank IN
the Republican platform for an lsthm1an
canal in face Of the failure Of the Repub
| lican majority to pass the bill pending IN
| Congress.
We condemn the Hay P auncefote treaty
as surrender of American rights and in
terests, not to be tolerated by the Ameri-
| can people.
We denounce the failure of the Repub
lican party to carry out its pledges to
grant statehood to the territories OF
| Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma,
and we promise the people OF those TERRI
tories immediate statehood and nome RUE
during their condition as territories
and we favor home rule and terrltorl-
al form of government for Alaska and
Porto Rico.
We favor an intelligent system of inn
proving the raid lands OF the West, s5or-
ing the waters for purposes of irrigation
and the holding of such lands for actual
settlers.
We favor the continuance and strict
enforcement of the Chinese exclusion
/ law anu dpDI1CdOlOQ. 10 Uu0 SdlI1o C1ebSo-
es Of all Asia5lc races.
jefferson said Peace, commerce and
| honest friendship with all nations; en-
| tangling alliances with none.
We approve this wholesome doctrine
and earnestly protest against the Repub-
lican departure which has involved us
| in so-called politics including the diplo-
macy of Europe and the land grabbing of
Asia and we especially condemn the i'll
concealed Republican alliance with them
which must mean discrimination against
/ friendly nations and which has already
stitled the nations voice, while liberty
is being strangled in Africa.
Believing in the principles OF self-goY-
eminent and rejecting as did our fore
fathers, the claim of monarchy, we view
with Indignation the purpose OF England
to oYerwhelm with force the South
African republics. Speaking as we do
| for the entire American nation except It's
Republican Officeholders, and for all free
men everywhere, we extend our synapa-
/ thies to the heroic burghers in their I'M
equal struggle to maintain their liberty
and independence.
We dsnoupce the lavish appropriation
of recent Republican Congresses which
| have kept taxes high and which have
| threatened trade prepetuatiOn Of the OPP
pressive war levies. We opposed the ac-
emulation of a surplus to be squandered
| in such bare-faced frauds upon the tax
payers as the shipping subsidy bill which,
under the false pretence of prospecting
American ship building would put IN
earned millions into the pockets Of favor
tie contributors to the Republican cam
paign fund. We favor the reduction and
speedy repeal Of the war taxes and the
return to the time hOnored Democratic
policy of strict economy of government
| expenditures.
Believing that our most cherished ins6i-
buttons are in great peril, that the very
existence of our constitutional republic is
at stake and that the decision now to be
rendered will determine whether or not
our children are to enjoy those blessed
privileges Of free government which have
made the United States great, prosper
GUS and hOnOred, we earnestly ask for the
| foregoing declaration Of principles and
hearty 81 pport of the liberty loving
American people regardless of previous
party affiliations.
AS he proceeded, each plank was greet
ed with applause. There was howl of
approval as he clinched his fist and fierce
" arraigned the course of the admins
tration in Cuba. But it remained for his
reading of the declaration that ''imperi-
alism is the paramount issue of this
campaign, - to evoke a storm of enthusi-
asm.
The scene was magniicently inspiring
and the great IIdience was worked up to
fever heat. State sUanda rds were again
torn from their sockets, banners were
raised ana a triumphant procession of
the delegates marched about the hail.
1t was at this june ture that the climax
was sprung upon the great assembly. A
hugh flag had been flung across the roof
between two trusses and as the signal
was given, the cords were cut and it was
slowly unroIled.
The banner was an enormous affair,
being fully 80 feet long and about one
half as wide. Upon the white stripes
were printed the following sentences in
large letters of blue:
Constitutional governments derive
their just powers from the consent OF the
governed -
1.-The constitution and the flag, one and
inseparable now and forever"
1.-The flag of republic forever, of an
empire, never"
ga republic can have no colonies"
When finally after the flag had caught
slightly and then swung down and every
word was visible, there was a climax of
cheers that was deafening.
When the Senator reached the reaffir-
nation of the Chicago platform, with the
declaration for free silver coinage at a
ratio OF 16 to ,pandemonium again broke
loose. But the demonstration was faint
in comparison to what had just occurred
when Imperialism was announced as the
paramount ISSUE
Senator Hill was among those who
maintained quiet while Mr.. Croker waved
flag until it broke, and George Fred
Williams led the Massachusetts, contin-
gent in salvos of cheers.
When the applause had subsidized, Chair
man Jones of the platform committee
said he had been instructed to move that
the platform be adopted by the conven-
fion hv accla1natiO