Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1900-07-13

CouitHuthty VII aliIlosG any pTOJcCt
while patronage is denied to legitimat,
endeavors originated by our OWL
people.
The National Platform.
At KANSAS CITY. JULY 4TH
We. the representatives of the Demo
cratic party of the United States. assem-
bled In National Convention on the ami
of the adoption of the Declaration
of Independence, do reaffi rm our faith il
that immortal proclamation of the inalien
able rights of Americans and our allegi
ance to the Constitution framed in har
mony herewith by the fathers of the re
public.
We hold. with the United States Su
preme Court, that the Declaration of In
dependence is the spirit of our govern
ment, of which the Constitution is the
form and letter.
Consent of the Governed.
We declare again that all governments
instituted among mon derive their just
powers from the consent of the governed
that any government not based upon the
consent of the governed is tyranny, and
that to impose upon any people a govern.
ment of force Is to substitute methods oI
Imperialism for those of the republic.
We hold that the Constitution follows
the Flag, and denOunce the doctrine that
III executive or Congress. deriving their
ercises lawful authority beyond 1t, in
violation OF 1t. We assert that no nation
can long endure half republic and hall
empire, aud we warn the people. that i'm.
perialism abroad will lead quickly and
inevitably to despOtism at houie.
Believing in these fundamental princi.
pies. We denOnnce the Porto Rican law
enacted by a Republican Congress, against
The protest and opposition of the Demo.
cratic minority, rs bold and open vio-
latiOn of tue nations organic law and a
fiagrant breach of the national good faith,
1t imposes upon the people Of Porto Rico
q government without their consent and
taxation without representation. 1t dis
honors the American people by repudiat-
by the commanding general OF our army,
which the Porto Kicans welcomed to q
peaceful and unrestricted occupation OF
their land. 1t doomed to poverty and
distress people whose helplessness ap-
peals with peculiar force " our Justice
and magDanimity. This. the first act OF
Us imperialistic. programmes; the kepub-
States to y colonial policy, Inconsistent
with republican institutions and con-
by the Supreme Court in innu-
decisions.
Government Of Cuba.
We demand the prompt and honest fu'-
fillment of every pledge to the Cuban peo-
pie and the world, that the United States
has no disposition or intention to exercise
sovereignty, jurisdiction or control over
the island of Cuba, except for its paci flea
lion. War ended nearly two years ago;
profound peace reigns all over the island
and still the administration keeps the
government of the island from its people,
while Republican carpet-bag officials
NAL theory to the disgrace Ofthe Ameri-
can people.
Philippine Policy Condemned.
We condemn and deno1nce the Philip
pine policy of the present Illustration.
It has embrOiled the republic in an un-
necessary war, sacrificed the lives of many
Of its nOblest sons and places the United
States, previously known and applauded
throughout the world as the champion of
in the false and un-American
position of crushing with military force
he efforts OF our former allies TO achieve
liberty and self-government. The Filipi-
nos cannot he citizens without endsnger-
Ing our civilization; they cannot be sub
jects without imperaling our form ofgov-
and as we are not willing to
our civilization, or to CONVEX
The republic into an empire, we favor an
declaration ofthe nations pur-
pose to give to the Filipinos. first. state
OF government; second, Independence.
and third, protection from outside inter-
ference, such as has been given for nearly
> century to the republics Of Central and
South America.
The greed of commercialism which die
!ates the Philippine policy of the Repub-
lican administration attempts TO Justify it
with y the plea that It will pay. put even
Ibis sordid and unworthy plea tails when
brought 10 the test of facts. The "war
Of criminal aggression" against the Phil
Ippines, entailing annually an expense OF
many millions, has already cost more
han any possible profit that could accr ue
from the entire Philippine trade for years
10 come. Furthermore. when trade Is ex-
Tended at the expense Of liberty, the price
Is always too high.
We are not opposed to territorial expau-
zion. when 1t takes in desirable territory
which can be erected into States in this
q niOn, ahd whose people are willing and
fit to become citizens. We favor trade
expansion by every favorable and legiti-
mate means. But we are uualterably OPP
pOoO0 " VIC oCiAluk VI YuICuobluk Va
distant islands to be governed outside the
and whose people can never
become citizens. We are in favor of ex-
lending the republics influence among
the nations. and believe that influence
should he extended, not by force or vio-
lence, but through the persuasive power
Of high and honorable example.
Tho Paramount Issue.
The importance of other questions now
before the American people Is in
no way diminished, aud the Democratic
party takes no backward step from its
position on them, but the burning issue
of Imperialism growing out Of the Span
sh war, involves the very existence of
he republic and the destr uction Of our
free Institutions. We regard it as the PAL :
amount issue of the campaign.
The declaration in the Republican plat
form adopted at the Philadelphia Con-
held in June, 1900. that the Re
publican party steadfastly adheres to the
policy announced in the Monroe doc
,rine," Is manitestly insincere and decep-
he avOwed policy OF the party, in opposi-
ion to the spirit Of the Monroe doctrine,
10 acquire and hold sovereignty over
large AREAS of territory and large num-
bers OF people In the eastern hemisphere,
We insist on the strict maintenance of the
Monroe doctrine, and in oil its integrity
IN letter aud in spirit, as necessary to pre-.
vent 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 un.
willing subjectiOn to European auth GRITTY.
We oppose militarism. II means
conquest abroad and intimidation and
oppression at home. 1t means the strong
arm which has ever been fatal to free in:
1t itutions. 1t is what millions of our cit
zens have fled from in Europe. It will
Impose upon our peaGe-loHing people a
arke standing army, an unnecessary
burden OF taxation and q constant men.
ice to their liberties. a small standing
army and well disciplined State militia
This Republic has no place for vast