Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-07-06
BRYAN AND
THE PLATFORM
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crushing with military force the eff
forts of former allies to achieve liberty
ana self government. The Filipinos
cannot be citizens without cndanger-
ing our civilization; they cannoT be
subjects without inperilling our form
OF government, and as we are not will
ing TO surrender our civilization or to
convert the Republic into an empire
we favor an immediate declaration of
the nations: first, Il stable form OF gov
eminent; second, independence, and,
third, protection from outside inter
ference. such as has been givn for
nearly a century to the Republics of
Central and South America.
SOliDlD PLEA THAT 1T PAYS.
The greedy commerciaiism which
dictated the Philippine policy of the
Republican administration attempts to
justify ii with the plea that it will
pay, but even this sordid and unworthy
plea fails when brought to the test of
facts. 'The war of criminal aggression
against the F'ilipnos, cntailing an an
nual expense of many millions, has
already cost more .han any possible
profit that could accrue from the en-
tire Philippine trade for years to come.
Furthermore. when trade is extended
with the expense of liberty the price
is always too high.
We are not opposed to territorial eX-
Dansion when 1t takes in desirable ter
ritory which can be erected into States
in the Union. and whose people are
willing and fit to become American
citizens.
FAVOR LEGITIMATE EXPANSION.
We favor expansion by every peace
full and legitimate means. But we are
unalterably opposed to Selling or pur
chasing of distant islands to be gov
crncd outside the Constitution and
whose people can never become citi-
ZcnS.
We are in favor of extending the re-
public'S influence among the nations.
but believe that influence should be
extended not by force and violence. but
through the persuasive power of II
high and honorable example.
The Importance of old questions now
pending before the American people is
in no wise diminishing, and the Demo-
cratic party takes no backward step
from its position on them, but the
burning issue OF Imperialism growing
out OF the Spanish war involves the
very existence OF the republic and the
destruction of our free institutions.
We regard 1t as the paramount issue
of the campaign.
REPUBLICANS DECEPTIVE PLEA
The declaration in the Republican
platform adopted ut the Philadelphia
convention held in June, 1900. that the
Republican party "SteadfaStly adhcreS
to the policy announced in the Monroe
doctrine is manifestly insecure and
deceptive. This profession is contra
-dictcd by the-aXnMed policy OF that in
opposition to the spirit of the NIOnTOe
doctrine TO acquire and hold sovereign
ty over large areas of territory and
large numbers of people IN the eastern
hemisphere. We insist on the strict
maintenance OF the Monroe doctrine.
and in all it's integrity. both in letter
and in spirit necessary to prevent the
extension of European authority on
this continent and as essential to our
supremacy in American affairs. At the
same time we declare that no Ameri-
can people shall ever be held by force
in unwilling subsection to European
authority.
WE OPPOSE IMPERIALISM
We oppose imperialism. 1t means
conquest abroad and intimidation and
oppression at home. 1t means the
strong arm which has ever been fatal
to free Institutions. IT is what mil
lions of our citizens have fled from in
Europe. 1t will impose upon our peace
loving people a larhe standing army
and unnecessary burden of taxation
and constant menace to their liber-
ties. y small standing army and a
we'll disciplined State militia are sim
ply sufficient in time of peace. This
republic has no place for q vast mill
tary service and CONSUMPTION.
WE RELY ON VOLUNTEERS
When the nation is in danger the
volunteer soldier is his country'S best
defender. The National Guard OF the
United States should ever be cherished
in the patriotic hearts of free peo-
pie. Such OF gan'zations are ever an
element of strength and safety. For
the frs. time III our history and CO.
eval with the Philippine conquest has
there been II Wholesale departure from
orr time-h0nored and approved sys-
tenn o. volunteer organization. We de-
nounce it as un-American, un-Demo-
cratic AMI UNI Republican, and as n
subvcrsion OF the ancient and fixed
principles OF Il tree people.
NO PRIVATE MONOPOLIES.
Private monopolies are indefcnsible
and intolcrabie. They destroy compe-
tition. control the price of all material
AMI of the finished product, thus rob
bias both PRODUCER and consumer
They lessen the employment of labor
and arbitrarily FIX the terms and con-
dit;ons thereof anu deprive individual
energy and small capital of their OPP
portunity for bcttcrmcnt.
They are the most efficient means yet
devised for aprropriating the fruits OF
Industry to the henent of the few at
the expense of the many, and unless
their unSatiatc greed Is checked all
wealth will lie aggregated in a few
hands and the Republic destroyed. The
dishonest paltering with the trust evil
BY the Republican party in State and