The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1900-07-07
DEMOCRATIC
Platform Adopt, d at Kansas
city Convention.

We, tho representatives OF the demo-
cratic party OF the United states, assem-
hled i'm national convention on the ami
Nersary of the adoption OF tho Declara-
ton OF Independence do re-affrm our faith
in that immortal proc amation Of the in
alienable rights Of man, and our allegi-
ance to the constitution framed in har-
mony Herewith by tho fathers Of the re-
public.
We hold with the United States supreme
court that the Declaration Of Indopend-
ence Is the spirit of our government, of
which the constitution Is the form and
letter.
We declare again that the governments
instituted among men derive their just
powers from the consent Of the governed;
that any government not based upon the
consent Of the governed is a tyranny, and
that to impose upon any people govern
ment of force is to substitute the methods
of imperialism for those Of a republic.
eW hold that the constitution follows
the flag, and denounce the doctrine that
an executive OF congress deriving their
existence and their powers from the con-
stitution can exercise lawful authority
beyond it, or in violation Of it.
IMPERIALISM.
We assert that no nation can long en-
dure half republic and half empire, and
we warn the American people that i'm
perialism abroad will lead quickly and in
evitably to despotism at home.
Believing in these fundamental prin-
ciples, we denounce the Porto Rico law,
enacted by a republican congress against
the protest and opposition of the demo-
cratic minority, as a bold and open viola
tion of the nations organic law, and a
fiagrant breach Of the national good faith.
IT imposes upon the people of Porto Rico
a government without their consent, a
taxation without representation 1t dishon-
ores the Americtn people by repudiating
a solemn pledge made in their behalf by
the comandng general of our army which
the Porto Ricans welcomed to a peaceful
and unresisted occupation of their land.
IT doomed TO poverty and distress a peo-
pie whose helplessness appeals with pc
culiar force to our justice and magma
nimity. In this, its first act of it's i'm
perialistic program, the party seeks to
commit the United States to a colonial
policy, inconsistent with republican in
stituuons and condemned by the supreme
court in numerous decisions.
We demand the prompt and honest full
fillment of our pledges to the Cuban peo-
pc 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 it's pacihcation.
The war ended nearly two years ago,
profound peace re'gns over the entire is
land, and still the administration keepe
the government Of the island from its
people, while republican carpetbag offic-
ials plunder its revenues and exploit the
colonial theory to the disgrace of the
American people
FILIPINOS INDEPENDENCE WTTT
PROTECTORATE.
We condemn and denounce the Philin-
pine policy Of the present administration.
1t has embroiled the republic in an un-
necessary war, sacrificed the lives Of
many of its noblest sons, and placed the
United States, previously known and ap-
plauded throughout the world as the
champion of freedom, in the false and un-
American principle of crushing with mil
itary force the efforts Of our rmer al
lies TO achieve liberty and self-govern-
ment. The Filpinos cannot be citizens
without endangering 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 FHlipinoe.
first, stable government; second, in
dependence, and, third. protection from
outside interference such as has been
given for nearly a century to the re-
public OF Central and South America.
The greedy commercialism which die
tated the Philippine policy of the renub-
lean administration attempts 10 Justly
it with the plea that IT will pay but ev.
en- this sorbid and unworthy plea fails
when brought 10 the test Of facts The
war Of criminal agRrc cssion against the
Fnipinos entail'ng an annual expense Of
many millions has already cost more than
any possible profit could accrue from the
entire Philippine trade for years to c-me
Furthermore when trade is extended at
the expense Of liberty the price is al
ways too high.
We are not opposed TO territorial eypan-
sion when II takes I'm desirable terri
tory which can be erected into states IN
the union, and who's people are Wiling
and fit TO become American citizens We
favor trade expansion by every peace-
full and legitimate means But we are
unalterably opposed 10 the seizlne and
purchasing Of distant islands. to be gov
erned outside the constitution and whose
people can never become citizens.
We are in favor Of extending the repub-