Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1900-08-24
STEVENSON
accepts
NOMINATION.

= NAV
these, is such enlargement of the scope Of
interstate commerce law as will protect
the public from unjust transportation
rates. and individuals from unfair discrin-
ination. As is we'll known, this law has
failed to effect the wise purpose for which
it was enacted In fact, it is now little
more than dead letter upon tho statute
books. Under well-considered amendments
the commission should be vested with am
pie power to prevent injustice to individ-
uals and to the public
Labor and Pensions.
Our platform favors the creation Of de-
partment of labor, whose chief officer shall
take rank with other constitutional ad-
visers of the president. This is In the in
terest of Justice and will prove an i'm
ton and encouragement of the producers of
wealth.
in explicit terms it favors liberal pensions
to our soldiers and sailors and to those de-
pendent upon them.
with equal justice it reiterates the de-
mands OF a former democratic platform for
bimetallfsm; the restoration Of silver to ita
proper function in our monetary system.
For the protection Of the home laborer II
demands the enforcement Of the Chinese
exclusion act.
Favors Ntcaraguan Canal.
"And In the interest of an enlarged com
MERGE 1t favors the immediate construction
Of the Nicaraguan canal. This, however,
with the provision that It shall remain for
ever under the exclusive ownership and
control of the United States. The pending
surrender Of American rights, not to be toll
Grated by the American people. In the con-
struction and control of this great work
there can be no concession of right to any
European power. Commercial interest and
national safety in time Of war, alike demand
its permanent ownership by our govern
ment.
The Paramount Issue.
"A question Is yet to be discussed, to which
all Of these are Of secondary Importance. 1t
is solemnly declared by our platform to be
the paramount issue. Questions of domes-
tic policy, however important, may be but
questions Of the hour-that Of imperialism
is for time. In the presence of this stupen-
dous issue, others seem but as the dust in
the balance. In no sense paltering with
words, 1t is the supreme question of repub-
lie or empire. The words of the eminent
republican senator, Mr.. Hoar, challenge at
tention: 4 believe that perseverance IN
this policy will be the abandonment of the
principles upon which our government is
ment into an empire; that our methods OF
legislation, Of diplomacy, of administration
must hereafter be those which belong to
empires, and not those which belong to re-
publics.'
upon every phase Of our foreign policy
the language Of the democratic platform is
too clear to admit Of misconstruction. IT
favors trade expansion by all peaceful and
lawful means.
UD-
1--WE believe that liberty, as we'll as the
constitution, follows the flag. Democrats in
common with many republicans, oppose the
Porto Rican law as violation Of the consti-
tuition, and a fragrant breach Of good faith
toward a dependent people. 1t is innpos-
ing government without the consent
of the governed. It is in conflict with that
provision Of the constitution whtoh declares
that Duties, imports and excuses shall be
uniform throughout the United States Be-
lievtng that this constitutional provision ap-
plies to every part of the United States, we
condemn the tariff taxation imposed by a
republican congress upon the helpless and
distressed people Of Porto Rico. Such leg
islation-inspired soieiy by greed-is indeed
attempt to collect unjust taxes with one
hand, and with the other to return them in
part to a plundered people, is utterly with
out constitutional warrant or justification.
We give our earnest assent to the declara-
ton: Our plain duty Is to abolish all Gus
toms tariffs between the United States and
Porto Rico, and give her products access to
our markets. No party exigency or pres
sure could Justify departure by the presi-
dent from the plain pathway of duty he had
here so clearly indicated. The law impos-
ing tariff duties upon the people of Porto
Rico is in palpable violation of the constt-
tuition, and fragrant breach of the pledged
faith Of the nation.
Deplores Spirit Of Empire.
"The democratic platform condemns the
policy pursued by the present administra-
ton toward the Philippine islands. This pol
icy-inspired by the greedy spirit of COM
merciaMsm--has embroiled our government
in an unnecessary war, sacrificed valuable
lives, and placed the American republic in
deadly antagonism to our former allies in
their efforts to secure their liberties. For
the first time in our history we are boldly
confronted with the question of imperial.
ism-the spirit Of empire
'"This is, indeed, the supreme question tt
which all others are of secondary fmpor'
lance. Before we break irrevocably with
the past and abandon the doctrines Of the
fathers, it is we'll that we deliberate upon
the consequences of a permanent departure
from the settled governmental policy Of
more than a century. The success Of the
imperialistic policy foreshadows the empire
Shall the closing hours Of the century wit
ness the American people abandoning the
sure pathway in which past generations have
found prosperity and happiness, and en-
barking upon that Of aggression and con.
quest. against which we are warned by the
wrecks that lie along the entire pathway OF
history?
"staniing out against the new polio,
of conquest, with all that 1t involves
of European complication, are the warnings
Of the founders of the republic. Out of fash.
ion as it may appear, quote the last words
Of Washington to the oncouang generations
Of his countrymen: The great rule of con.
duct for us in regard to foreign nations is
in extending our commercial relations, t.
have with them as little political connection
as possible 1t was the authof of the dec
laration Of independence Wild said: Our
first and fundamental maxima should bt
never to entangle ourselves inythe broils O.
Europe Is it not to we'll tok ponder thes'
warnings before permanently embarkinl
upon an untried pathway bese% with foreign
jealousies. complications and staeonism?
Jenersenian Expan ion.
''The Apmocratic party has Fer been til,
advocate Of wise territorial Expansion. /
was in control of the gover nent during
forty years of the first half the presen
century. During that perion new state,
were admitted into the federAl union, ant
our western border extended beyond tn.
Mississippi Out Of the Louisiana country
acquired under the first demociht1c admins
tration-have been carved fourteen magnih.
cent states. Under later democratic ad.
ministration-and as the result of the treat,
which terminated our war with Mexieo-wl
acquired California and neighborilg state.
and territories, thus bringing under oul
flag, to remain forever, tho vast expans,
stretching to the Pacific.
1.-THE policy of aggressive expansion-o
SubtugatiOn of distant islands-pursued b,