Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1900-07-13

millions, has already cost more than
any possible profit that could accrue
from the entire Philippine trade for
years to come. Furthermore, when
trade is extended al the expense of
liberty the price is always too high.
We are not opposed to territorial
expansion when it takes in desirable
territory which can be erected into
states in the Union and whose peo-
pie are willing and fit to become
American citizens.
We favor expansion by every peace
full and legitimate means. But we are
unalterably opposed to seizing or pur-
chasing distant islands to be governed
outside the constitution and whose
people can never become citizens.
We are in favor of extending the
republics influence among the ma
tions, but believe that influence should
be extended, not by force and vio-
lence. but through the persuasive
power of a high and honorable exam
pie.
The Importance of old questions
now pending before the American
people is no wise diminished and the
democratic party takes no backward
step from it's position on them, but
the burningissue of Imperialism grow
ing out of the Spanish war involves
tho very existence of the republic and
the destruction of our free institu-
tions. We regard it as the paramount
issue of the campaign.
The declaration in the republican
platform adopted at the Philadelphia
convention held in June, 1900, that
the republican party "steadfastly ad-
heres to the policy announced in the
Monroe doctrine" is manifestly insin-
cere and deceptive. This profession
is contradicted by the avowed policy
Of that party in opposition to the
spirit of the Monroe doctrine to ac-
quire and hold sovereignty over large
areas of territory and large numbers
of people in the western hemisphere.
We insist on the strict maintenance
of the Monroe doctrine and in all its
integrity, both in letter and in spirit,
as necessary to prevent the extension
of European authority on this conti-
nent and as essential to our suprem-
acy in American affairs. At the same
time we declare that no American
people shall ever be held by force ny
unwilling subjection to European au-
thority.
We oppose militarism. 1t means
conquest abroad and intimidation and
oppression at home. 1t means the
strong arm which has ever been fatal
to free institutions. 1t is what mil
lions of our citizens have fed from in
Europe. 1t will impose upon our
peace-loving people large standing
army and unnecessary burden of tax
alton and constant menace to their
liberties. A small standing ormy and
a well disciplined state militia are
amply sufficient in time of peace. This
republic has no place for vast mill
tary service and conscription.
The volunteer soldier is his coun-
try's best defender. The national
guard of the United States should
ever be cherished in the patriotic
hearts cf free people. Such organ
izations are ever an element of
strength and safety. For the first
time in our history and coeval with
the Philippine conquest has there
been a wholesale departure from our
time-honored system of volunteer or
! ganization. We denounce it as un-
American, un-democratic and un-re-
| publican and as a subversion of the
ancient and fixed principles of free
people.
Private monopolies are indefensible
| and intolerable. They destroy com
petition, control the price of all ma
terial and of the finished products
They lessen the employment of labor
and arbitrarily fix the terms and con-
ditions thereof, and deprive individual
energy and small capital of their op-
portunity for betterment. They arc
the most efficient means yet devised
for appro priating the fruits of indus.
try to the benefit of the few at the
expense of the many, and unless
their insatiate greed is checked all
wealth will be aggregated in a few
hands and the republic destroyed. The
dishonest paltering with the trust
evil by the republican party in state
and national platforms is conclusive
proof of the truth of the charge thai
trusts are the legitimate product Of
republican policies, that they are fos
tered by republican laws, and thai
they are protected by the republican
administration in return for cam
paign subscriptions and political sup
port.
We pledge the democratic party te
an unceasing warfare in nation. stat,
and city against private monopoly il
every form. Existing laws agains
trusts must be enforced and NOR,
stringent ones must be enacted pro
viding for publicity as to the affairs
of corporations engaged in inter
state commerce and requiring all cor
porations to show, before doing bust
ness outside of the state of their or
igin, that they have no water in thei
stock, and that they have not at
tempted and are not attempting t,
monopolize any branch of business o
the destruction of any articles OF mer
chandise, and the whole constitution
al power of congress over inter-stat
commerce, the mails and all modes o
Interstate communications shall b
exercised by the enactment of com
prehensive laws upon the subject o
trusts. Tariff laws should be amend
| e1 by putfinr tho Droducts of trrSt