The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1900-07-14
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM

THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM
We, the representatives of the Dem
-ocratie party of the United States, as
sembled in national convention on thu
anniversary of the adoption of the Dec
laration of Independents. do reaflirn
our faith IN that immortal proclamation
of the constitution framed in harmon,
Herewith by the fathers of the repub
lie. We hold, with the United State.
supreme court, that the Declaration o
Independence is the spirit OF our gov
ernment, OF which the constitution i:
the form and letter. We declare again
that all governments instituted among
men derive their just powers from the
consent of the governed; that any gov.
eminent not based upon the consent OF
the governed is tyranny; and to i'm
pose upon any people government OF
force is TO substitute the methods of i'm.
perialism for those of a republic. We
hold that the constitution follows the
| flag and denOunce the doctrine that an
executive or congress, deriving their ex-
istence and their powers from the con-
stitution can exercise lawful authority
beyond it or in violation of it. We as
sert that no nation can long endure
half republic and half empire, and we
warn the American people that imperi-
alism abroad will lead quickly and in
evitably to despotism at home. Be-
lieying in these principles, we denouncs
the Porto Rico law, enacted by Re-
publican congress against the protest
and opposition of the Democratie mi
nority, as bold and open violation of
the nations organic law and fragrant
breach of the national good faith. 1t
imposes upon the people of Porto Rico
a government without their consent
and taxation without representation.
1t dishonors the American people by
repudiating solemn pledge made in
their behalf by the commanding gen.
ecal of our army, which the Porto Ri
cans welcomed to peaceful and unre-
sisted occupation of their land. 1t
doomed to poverty and distress peo-
pie whose aelpiessuess appeals with
PcSuii"' AoiSO " Jul JustiCC anu may
nanimity. In this the first act of its
imperialistic programme the Republic
cen party seeks to commit the United
States to colonial policy Inconsistent
with Republican institutions aud con-
demned by the supreme court in nu.
merous decisions. We demand the
prompt and honest fulfillment of our
pledge TO the Cuban people and the
world that the United States has no dis
position nor intention to exercise SOW
ereignty, jurisdiction or contrsl over
the island of Cuba. except for its paci-
hcation.' The war ended nearly two
years ago. profound peace reigns over
all the island and still the administra-I
ton keeps the government of the island
from its people while. Republican car
pet bag officials plunder its revenues
aud exploit the colonial theory to the
disgrace of the American people.
We condemn and denounce the Phi
lippines policy of the present admins
tration. 1t has involved the republic
in war, sacrificed the lives
Of many of our noblest sons and placed |
the United States, previously known
and applauded throughout the world as
the champion of freedom. in the false
md un-American position of crushing
with military force the efforts of our
former allies to achieve liberty and |
The Filipinos cannot be citizens with
,ut endangering our civilization; they
cannot be subjects without imperiling
'ur form of government. and as we are
lot willing to surrender our civIiza-
ION. or to convert the republic into an
mpire, we favor an Immediate declar-
tion OF the nations purpose to give
he Filipinos first a,stable form of gov
second, independence. and ,
bird, protection from outside interfer- |
nee such as has been given for nearly I
century to the republics of Central !
nd South America. l
The greedy commcrcialism which die i
ated the Philippine policy of the Re-
ublican administration attempts 10 {
astify II with the plea that it will pay. S
ut even this sordid and unworthy plea '
ais when brought to the test of facts. I
he war of "criminal aggression" $
gainst the rllipinos entailing an an. Il
al expense of many millions, has al. 2
eady costmore than any possible pru. O
that could accrue from the entire
rade Tor years to come. Furthermore $
hen trade is extended at the expense h
hoerty, the price Is always too high, il
We are not opposed to territorial ex- p
ansion when it takes in desirable ter. a
tory which can be erected INTO states S
the Union and whose people are will il
'g and tit to become citizns. g
We favor trade expansion by every b
eaceful and legitimate means. Bat C
g are unalterably opposed to the seiz- b
e or purchasing of distant islands TO d
} governed outside the. constitution ,
I'd whose people can never become %
tizens. {,
We are in favor 81 extending the re-
iblic's influence among the Haiions, el
1t believe that influence should be ex- Eel
nded. not by force and violence, but d
rough the persuasive power of high d
I'd honorable example. The import
ice OF other questions now pending in
fore the American people is in no nj
SO dimished and the Democratic I'll
rty lakes no backward step from its al
sitIon on them, but the burning issue
imperialism growing out of the Span al
war involves the VERY existence u as
republic and The destruction Of our co