The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-07-12
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
imperialism Takes Up First and Fore
most Attention. hut silver
Plank Gets In.

mously by the Democratic National
Convention:
We. the representatives OF the Demo
cratic party of the United States. as
sembled in convention on the annlver-
sary of the adoption OF the Declaration
of independence. do reaffirm our
faith in that immortal p:oclama-
ton of the inallenable rights Of man
and our allegiance 10 the Constitution
framed in harmony Herewith by the
fathers Of the Republic. We hold
with the United Suites Supreme Court
that the Declaration of Independence
Is the spirit of our Government. of
which the Constitution is the form and
letter.
We nold that The Constitution fo,-
lows the flag. and assert that 10 nation
can long endure half republic and half
empire, and we warn the American
people that imperialism abroad Will
lead quickly and inevitably to despot-
ism at home.
The Porto Rico law enacted by Cou-
grcss is denounced, and IL is declared
that the law imposes upon the people
of the island a government without
their consent and taxation without
their representation.
The demanL is made 70" the prompt
fulnilncnt Of the pledge to the Cuban
people th I the United States has 10
intention TO exercise sovereignty, juris-
diction or control over The island ex
cept for its pacitication.
The Philippine policy OF the Admin
elared, involved the Republic in un-
necessary war. An immediate declar-
alton of the nations purpose to give
to the Filipinos. hrst. stable form
of government; second, independence.
and third protection from outside in
terference, Is favored.
Territorial expansion. when 1t taxes
in desirable territory which can be
erected into States in the Union, and
whose people are willing and 1T to be-
come American citizens, is favored,
while unalterablc opposition to seiYlnG
or purchasing distant islands outside
the Constitution and whose people can
never become citizens is expressed.
The burning issue OF Imperialism
growing out of the Spanish war, in
volvlng the very existence of the Re
public and the destruction of our free
institutions, is regarded as the para
mount issue of the campaign.
The strict maintenance of the Mon
IT,. l.NN Ia.
spirit, Is insisted upon.
Opposition to militarism is declared
a small standing army and well
disciplined State militia are amply suf-
ficient in time of peace. When the
nation is in danger the volunteer SOL
der is his countrys best defender.
The Democrat.c party Is pledged to
an unceasing warfare in nation, State
and city against private monopoly in
every form. Existing laws against
trusts must be enforced and more
stringent ones must be enacted in order
TO curtail the absorbing power OF
trusts and illegal combinations. Tariff
laws should be amended by putting
the products of trusts upon the free
list to prevent monopoly under the
plea Of protection.
The Dingiey Tariff law is con-
demned, and the enlargement of the
Interstate Commerce law is favored
The principles OF the national Dem
ocratic platform adopted at Chicago il
1896 are reaffirmed and Endorsed, and
the immediate restoration of the free
and unlimited coinage of silver and
gold at the present legal ratio of 16
to /, without waiting for the consent
of any other nation, is demanded.
The currency bill enacted by Con
gress is denounced, and the retirement
of the national bank notes rs fast as
Government paper or silver certificates
can ho substituted for them Is demand
ed.
An amendment to The Constitution
providing for the election of Senators
by the direct vote Of the people Is
favored
Opposition 10 Government by injunc-
ton Is declared, and arbitration as Il
means Of settling labor disputes is IA
Yored. Department of Labor with
seat In the Cabinet is also favored.
Liberal pensions TO soldiers and sail
ors are favored.
The immediate construction. owner
ship and control of the Nicaragua
Canal by the United States is favored.
The territories of Arizona, New Mex
leo and Oklahoma are promised State
hood. and Alaska and Porto Rico home
rule and a territorial form of govern
ment.
The improvement of the arid islands
of the West is favored.
The enforcement and extension o.
the Chinese exclusion law is favored
An entangling alliance with any for
eign nation is condemned, and SYM
pathy with the Beers in their struggle
TO maintain their liberty is expressed
.ne repeal OF the war taxes and a
return to the Democratic policy OF
strict economy of Government expend-
itures are favored.
Believing that our most cherished
institutions are in great peril. that the
very existence of our Constitutional
Republic is at stake, and that the
decision now 10 be rendered will de
termine whether or not our children
are TO enjoy those blessed privileges
OF free government which have made
the United States great, prosperous and
honored. we earnestly ask for the fore
going declaration OF principles the
support of the liberty loving American
people, regardless Of previous party
affiliations.
There were five deaths from the heat
in philadelnhia