The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-07-12
As d,?ted By The Democratic Nc
tional Convention.
IMPERIALISM" A LEADING ISSUE.
The I6 TO Plank Endorsed Without
M ditication- The Rspnb!icaa For.
eign Policy Denounc:

We, the representatives OF the Deu!-
ocratic party Of the United States. as
sembled in national convention, on the
anniversary Of the adoption OF the
Declaration O. Independence, do 'eaf-
firm our faith in that immortal procla-
nation of the inaNenable rights OF
man and our allegiance to the consti-
tuition framed in harmony Herewith
by the fathers of the republic. We
hold with the United States Supreme
Court, that the Declaration OF lnde-
pendence is the spirit OF our govern
ment, Of which the constitution is the
form and letter. We declare again
tha. all governments instituted among
men derive their just powers from the
consent Of the governed; that any goy-
ernment not based upon the consent
of the governed is tyranny; and that
to impose upon any people a govern
men: Of force is to substitute the
methods of imperialism for those CT q
republic. We hold that the constitu-
ton ollows the flag and denounce the
doctrine that an executive or Con-
gress, deriving their existence and
their powers from the constitution.
can exercise lawful authority beyond
It. or in violation OF it. We assert that
no nation can long endure half repub-
lie and half empire, and we warn the
American people that imperialism
abroad will lead quickly and newt
ably to despotism at home.
PORTO RICAN Law DENOUNCED.
Believing in these fundamental prin-
ciples, we denounce the Porto Rlcan
law enacted by Republican Congress,
against the protest and opposition OF
the Democratic minority, as q bold and
open violation of the nations organic
law, and fragrant breach Of the ma
tional good faith. 1t imposes upon the
people of Porto Rico government
without their consent, and taxation
without representGsion 1t dishonors
the American people by repudiatlnG a
solemn pledge made in their behalf by
the commanding general OF our army.
which the Porto RicanS welcoES. as a
peaceful and unresisted occupation OF
their land. 1t dooms to poverty and
distress a people whose helplessnesS
appeals with peculiar force TO our JUS
tice and magnanimity. In this the first
act Of its imperalistic programme, the
Republican party seeks 10 commit the
United States TO colonial policy, in
consistent with Republican ins,ltu-
tions and condemned by the Supreme
Court in numerous decisions.
FULFTLMENT OF OUR PLEDGE
TO THE CUBANS.
We t..nand the prompt and honest
fulfllment of our pledge to the Cuban
people and the world that the United
States has no disposition nor intention
to exercise sovereignty. jurisdiction or
control over the is.anI Of Cuba, except
for its pacification. The war ended
nearly two years ago, profound peace
re;sns over all the island. still the ad-
nrinistration keeps the government N
the island from its people, while Re-
publican carpet-bag officials plunde-
its revenues and exploit the colonial
theory to'the disgrace Of the American
people.
PHILIPPINE POLICY CONDEMNED.
We condemn and denounce the Phil
ippine policy Of the present admins
tration. 1t has involved the republic
in unnecessary war, sacrificing the
lives OF many of our noblest sons. ana
placed the United States. previously
known and applauded throughout the
world as the champion OF freedom. IN
the false and un-AmeTican position OF
such as has been given for nearly
century TO the repubIcs OF Centra
and South America.
TRADE AT THE EXPENSE OF LIB
ERTY.
The greedy commercialism whict
dictated the Philippine policy OF the
Republican administration attempts u
justify it with the plea that 1t will pay
but even this sordid and unworthy
plea fails when brough. to the test Of
facts The war of criminal aggression
against the FIlipinos, entailing an an
nual expense Of many millions. has al
ready cost more than any possible
profit that could accrue from the en-
tire Philippine trade for years te
come. Furthermore, when trade is ex'
tended at the expense of liberty, the
price is always too high. We are mo-
opposed to territorial expansion wher
crushing with military force the ef'
forts of former allies to achieve lioef'
ty and self-government. The Fill
nipos cannot be citizens without en-
dangering our civilization. they cannon
be subjects without impe"illing oul
form OF government and as we are no
dor. niNilIZ1trOD Ol