The Savannah morning news., 1900-08-09


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publican Congress, should challenge the
attention of all thoughtful men. Sub
sidy bills. and all unnecessary taxes are
condemned by our platform The accu-
mutation of surplus revenues is too often
the pretext for wasteful appropriations
of the public money. The millions of sur
plus now accommodating in the treasury
should remain in the pockets of the peo-
pie. To this end, the Democratic party
demands a reduction of war taxes 90 the
actual needs of the government, and
return to the policy OF strict economy in
all governmental expenditures.
The Tariff and Trusts.
In apt words the Dingley tariff law is
condemned. 1t is tersey characterized
as legislation skillfully devised in the in
terest of class and to impose upon the
many burdens which they should
not bear. Adhering 20 the time
honored doctrine of the Demo-
cratic party, we oppose all tariff
legislation the necessary consequence of
which, is at the expense of the consumer,
to secure unjust advantage to the favored
few Experience has demonstrated that
unjust tariff laws have deprived the gov
eminent of needed revenues, secured to
favored beneficiaries colossal fortunes, and
largely increased to the people the cost of
the necessaries of life The baleful, but
logical result of the tariff law condemned
by our platform, is seen in the sudden
growth of giant monopolies. combinations
in restraint of lawful trade, and trusts
more threatening than foreign foe to the
existence of popular government. Be
ieving that wherever there is wrong,
there must be a remedy" the Democratic
party will favor such legislation as will
curb the spirit of monopoly, and place an
effective barrier against the unlawful
combinations of capital which now prove
an insuperable obstacle to legitimate en-
terprise and investment.
AS one means TO the important end of
curtailing the power of trusts, we favor
such amendments of our tariff laws as
will place the products of trusts upon the
free list, and thereby prevent monopoly
under the plea of protection. During ell
most four years of absolute Republican
control of all departments of the govern
ment, the trust evil has grown TO its pres
ent overshadowing proportions. What fin
ger has been lifted for its suppression?
With its friends again entrenched in pow
err, what hope is held out for the future?
Our Foreign Policy.
Upon every phase of our foreign policy,
the language of the Democratic platform
favors trade expansion by all peaceful and
lawful means. We believe that liberty, as
well as the constitution, follows the flag
Democrats, in common with many Repub-
cans, oppose the Porto Rican law as a
violation of the constitution, and fla
grant breach of good faith toward a de-
pendent people. 1t imposes government
without consent of the governed. 1t is
in conflict with that provision of the con-
.tnh hat mi
imports, and excuses shall be uniform
throughout the United States"
The Democratic platform condemns the
policy pursued by the present administrd-
ton toward the Philippine Islands This
policy-inspired by the great spirit of
commercialism-has embroiled our govern
ment in an unnecessary war, sacrificed
valuable lives, and placed the American
republic in deadly antagonism to our for
mer allies in their efforts to secure their
liberties. For the first time in our history
we are boldly confronted with the ques-
ton of "imperialism-the spirit of en-
pire."
This is indeed the supreme question to
which all others are of secondary import
ance Before we break irrevocably with
the past, and abandon the doctrines Of
the fathers, 1t is well that we deliberate
upon the conseque noes Of a permanent de
policy of more than century. The sue
cess of the imper aletic policy foresfad-
ows the empire. Shall the closing hours
of the century witness the American peo-
pie abandoning the sure pathway In
which past generations have formed pros
perity and happiness, and embarking upon
that Of aggression and conquest. against
which we are warned by the wrecks that
lie along he entire pathway of history?
- 90 Unxlfa II
conquest, with all that it involves Of Eu-
ropean complications. are the warnings
of the founders of the republic. Out of
fashion as 1t may appear, quote the last
words of Washington to the oncomlng
generations of his countrymen: 1.-THE
great rule Of conduct for us In regard TO
foreign nations is, in extending our com
mercia relations. 10 have with them as
little political connection as possible" II
was the author of the Declaration OF In
dependence who said: our first and fun
damental maxim should be never to en-
tangle ourselves in the broils of Europe"
Is II not well to ponder these warnings
before permanently embarking upon an
untried pathway beset with foreign zeal
ousies, complications, and antagonisms?
Advocate of Wise Expansion.
THE Democratic party has ever been
the advocate of wise territorial expan-
sion. Our OF the Louisiana country-sc-
uuired under the first Democratic admin
istration--have been carved fourteen mag
nihcent states Under a later Democratic
administrat ion-and as the result of the
treaty which terminated our war with
Mexico-we acquired California and neigh
boring states and territories, thus bring
ing under our flag, 10 remain forever the
vast expense stretching TO the Pacific
OCEAN.
1.-THE policy Of aggressive expansion-of
subjugation Of distant island s-pursued by
the present administration, finds no pre-
cedent I'm the peaceable cession OF the
Louisiana country by Napolson, that OF
Florida by Spain. nor that yet later OF
the vast western area. by Mexico.
1t enthrones force as the controlling