The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1900-07-09
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM
AS ADOPTED IN NATIONAL CON
vENTION AT KANSAS CITY.
imperialism, FIrst-it wm Be the Lead
ING contentiOn In the Comprehensive
teen to One. aud Freedom for
tne Philippines.

The following is the platform unani-
mously adopted by the national Demo-
cratic convention at Kansas City:
| We, the representatives of the Demo-
cratic party of the United states assem-
bled in national convention on the an
'niversary of the day of declaration OF IN
dependence do reaffirm our faith IN that
! immortal proclamation of the constltu-
ton framed in harmony Herewith by
the fathers of the republic. We hold
with the United States supreme court,
that the declaration of Independence is
the spirit of our government, OF which
the constitution is the form and letter
We declare again that all governments
instituted among men derive their just
powers from the consent of the gov
erned; that any government not based
upou the consent of the governed Is
tyranny; and that to impose upon any
people a government of force is to sub
| stitute the methods of Imperialism for
those of republic.
We hold that the constitution follows
the flag and denounce the doctrine that
| an executive or congress, deriving their
existence 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 Imperialism
abroad will lead quickly and inevitably
to despotism at home.
Believing in these principles, we de-
nounce the Puerto Rico law, enacted by
q Republican congress against the pro-
test and opposition of the Democratic
minority, as bold and open violation
of the nations organic law and fla
grant breach of the national good faith.
1t imposes upon the people of Puerto
Rico a government without their con-
sent and taxation without representa-
ton. 1t dishonors the American people
by repudiating a solemn pledge made i'll
their behalf by the commanding general
of our army, which the Puerto Ricans
welcomed to a peaceful and unresisted
occupation of their land 1t doomed to
poverty and distress a people whose
helplessness appeals with peculiar force
to justice and magnanimity. In this
the first act of its imperialismic pro-
gramme the Republican party seeks to
commit the United States to colonial
policy inconsistent with republican insti-
tutions and condemned by the supreme
court in numerous decisions.
We demand the prompt and honest
fulillment of our pledges to the Cuban
people and the world that the United
States has no disposition nor intention
to exercise sovereign jurisdiction or con-
troll over the island of Cuba, except for
its pacification. The war ended nearly
two years ago, profound peace reigns
over all the island, and still the admin
istration keeps the government of the
island from its people, while Republican
carpetbag officials plumber its revenues
and exploit the colonial theory to the
disgrace of the American people.
We condemn and denounce the Phil
ippine policy of the present administra
ton. 1t has involved the republic un
necessarily in war, sacrificed the live;
Of many of our n6blest sons and placed
the United States, previously known and
ipplauded throughout the world as the
champion of freedom in the false and
anamerican position of crushing will
terrible force the efforts of our former
allies to achieve liberty and selfgovern
ment. The Filipinos cannot be citizens
, without endangering our civilization
they cannot be subjects without imperil
ing our form of government, and as W.
are not willing to surrender our civiliZa
! ton or to convert the republic into al
empire, we favor an immediate declara
tion of the nations purpose to give th
} Flipinos first stable form of govern
ment. second independence and thirt
protection from outside interference
such as has been given for nearly cen
tury to the republics of South and Cen
trail America.
The greedy commercialism whicl
dictated the Philippine policy of tn
J Republican administration attempts tt
, justify it with the plea that it will pay
but even this sordid and unworthy ple
fails when brought to the test of facts
The war of criminal aggression ''agains
the Filipinos, entailing an annual ex
| pense of many millions, has alread,
? cost more than any possible profit tina
6 could accrue from the entire trade fo
2 years to come. Furthermore, whel
> trade is extended at the expense of lib
| CAbJ thC klAASC 10 tOp AASAs w
are not opposed to territorial expansion
when it takes in desirable territor.
which can be erected into states in tn
: Union and those people willing and fl
s to become American citizens.
e We favor trade expansion by ever
/. peaceful and legitimate means. but w
4 are uualterably opposed to the seizin
: or purchasing of distant islands to b
governed outside the constitution an,
b whose people can never become citizens
: We are in favor of extending the re
public's influence among the nations
but believe that influence should be ex
S tended not by force and violence, bu
through the persuasive power of higl
and honorable example.
The importance of other question
j now pending before the American pee
: pie is in no wise diminished and tn
: Democratic party takes no backwar,
step from its position ON them. but tn
burning issue of imperialism CROWN,
ont of the Spanish war involving tn
very existence OF the republic and the
destruction of our free institutions. w
regard it as the paramount issue of th,
I campaign.
The daclarafinu ~ +la Da-..h1:...