Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1900-07-13
OUR STANDARD BEARERS.

OUR STANDARD BEARERS.
The Democratic National Convention, in
ession at Kansas City last week, adjourned
Friday after nominating candidates fol
resident and Vice President. The pro
eedings were harmonious and great entbu
asm prevailed from start TO finish. As wal
icipated, Hon. William Jennings Bryan
II Nebraska, was unanimously chosen fol
resident, and Hon. Adlai E. Stevenson, o.
illinois, was named for Vice President. -
The following able and aggressive platform
was adopted, and we ask for it careful
perusa:
THE PLATFORM.
We, the representatives OF the Democratic
party OF the United States, assembled In ma.
tional convention, on the anniversary Of the
Declaration OF Independence, do reaffirm
our faith in that immortal proclamation Of
the inalienable rights of man and our allie.
glance TO the Constitution framed In har-
mony Herewith by the fathers OF the Re-
public. We hold with the United States
Supreme Court that the Declaration of In
dependence is the spirit of our government
of which the Constitution IL the form and
letter.
We declare again that all governments in
stituted among men derive their just powers
from the consent of the governed; that any
government not based upon the consent Of
the governed is tyranny, and that to i'm
pose upon any people a government OF force
is TO substitute the methods of imperialism
for those OF a 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 Constitution can exercise lawful
authority beyond it or In violation OF It,
We assert 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 despot-
ism at home.
Believing In these fundamental principles,
we denounce the Porto Rlcau law, enacted
by Republican Congress against the pro-
test and opposition OF the Democratic MI
nos,Id,s - a bold and open violation of the
nations organic law and fragrant breach
OF the national good faith. II imposes upon
the people oil Porto Rico government with
out their consent and taxation without rep
resentation. II dshonors the American PEG.
pie by regulating a solemn pledge made 10
their behalf by the commanding general OF
our army, which the Porto Ricans wei.
coined to peaceful and unresisted occupa-
ton of their land. II doomed to poverty and
distress people whose helplessness appeals
with peculiar force 70 our justice and mag
nanimlty.
In this, the first act of It's imperialistic
program, the Republican party seeks tc
commit the United States to colonial
policy, inconsistent with Republican insti
buttons and condemned by the Supreme
Court In numerous decisions.
We demand the prompt and honest full
6llment of our pledge to the Cuban people
and the world that the United States has
no disposition nor intention to exercise
sovereignty, Jurisdiction or control over the
Island of Cuba except for It's pacification
The war ended nearly two years ago, pro
found peace regns over all The island, anc
still the Administration keeps the govern
ment OF the island from its people, whit
Republican carpetbag officials plumber III
revenues and exploit the colonial theory, u
the disgrace of the American people.
We condemn and denounce the Philip
pine policy OF the present Administration
IL has involved the republic 10 unnecessary
war, sacrificed the lives Of many OF GU
noblest sons and placed the United States
previously known and appauded through
out the world as the champion Of freedom
in the false aud I'M American position o
crushing with military force the efforts 0
our former allies TO achieve liberty and sell
government. The Filipinos cannot be citi
zens without endangering our civilization
they cannot be subjects without imperilinl
our form OF government, and as we are no
willing 10 surrender our civilization or u
convert the republic into an empire we iavo
an Immediate declaration of the nations pur
pose TO give the Filipinos, first, stable iorr
OF government; second, Independence, an
third, protection from outside interference
such as has been given for nearly centur
10 the republics Of Central and Sout
America.
The great commercialism which dictate
insi,,nDine policy of the Republican AID
,itemps to justify 1t with th
a. pay, but even this sordi
lea fails when brought I
The war OF criminal az
INST the Filipinos, entailng a
Jense OF many millions, has a
.Gmore than any possible profit tbs
accrue from the entire Phllippin
de for years TO come. Furthermor
when trade 10 extended at the expense {
liberty the price is always too high.
We are not opposed to territorial expar
sion when II lakes 10 desirable terrtor
which can be erected into States 10 Ii
Union and whose people are willing and
10 become American citizens. We fave
expansion by every peaceful and legltima
means. But we are unalterably opposed
seizing or purchasing distant islands to
governed outside the Constitution and who,
people can never become citizens.
We are 10 favor Of extending the repul
lice influence among the nations, but b
lieye that influence should be extended n
by force and violence, but through the pc
suasiye power of q high aud honorable ei