The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1900-07-19
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
Antl-Imperialisni the Principal Issue
of the Cam, paign.

, ,AntI-Imperinlisn, the Principal Issue
of the Campaign.
We. the representatives of the Demo-
cratic party of the United States, assem-
bled In convention on the anniversary OF
pendencs, do reaftirm our faith In that I'M
mortal proclamation of the inalisnabls
rights Of man and our allegiance to the
with by the fathers Of the republic. We
hold with the United States supreme
court that the Declaration OF lndspend.
enee IL the spirit Of our government. of
which the constitution 10 the form and
letter. We declare agadn that Al govern
ments instituted aneny men derive their
Just powers from the consent Of the gsv..
pon the s. any Ss aO
tyranny: and that to impose oa any pee
pie government Of force h to substNutf
the methods OF imperialism for those Of
follows the nag and denounce the doctrine
that an executive or congress. deriving
their existence and their power from the
constitution. can exercise lawful author
tty beyond 1t or in violation OF II. We
assert that no nation can long endure
half republic and half empire. and we
warn the American people that Imperial
ism abroad will lead quickly and inevu-
ably TO despotism at home.
Believing in these fundamental prin-
ciples, We denounce the Porto Rico law.
enacted by a Republican congress- against
the protest and opposition OF the Demo-
cratic minority, as a bold and open vio-
lation OF the nations organic law and u
fagrant breach of the national good
faith. 1t imposes upon the people of
Porto Rico government without their
consent and taxation without representa-
ton. 1t dishonors the American peo-
pie Dy rCpauiatinE a solemn pledge maus
In their behalf 10y the commanding gen
sral of our army. which tho Porto RicanJ
welcomed to Il peaceful and unrcsiStcd oc-
eupation of their land. II doomed TO
poverty and distress a people whose help
lessncsS appeals with peculiar force to
our justice and maEuanimtty. In this,
the first act ot its ilnpurialistic program,
the Republican party seeks to commit
the United states to a colonial policy, IN
consistent with republican institutions
and condemned by tho supreme court III
numerous decisions.
We demand the prompt and honest fh-
hllmeut of our pledge To the cuban pro-
Pile and the world that the United states
has no disposition nor Intention to cAcr-
else sovereignty. jurisdiction or control
over the Island OF Cuba except Tor ltS
paCihCation. Tho war ended nearly two
years ago, profound peace r,igns over all
the island. and still the administration
keeps the government of the island from
Its people, while Republican carpet bag
officials plunder its revenues and exploit
the colonial theory to the disgrace OF the
American people.
Philippines Policy Denounced.
We condemn and deuouncc the Philip
pine policy OF the present administration.
1t has involved the republic in unncCrs-
sary war, sacrificed the lives OF many Of
our nuOl.St sons and placed the United
States. previously known and upplaudcd
throughout the world as the champion of
freedom. in the false and un1mcriCan po-
sition of crushing with military force the
efforts of our former allies to achieve
liberty and self government. The Fill
pinOs Sauhot he citizens without cndan-
gcring our civilization; they cannot be
subjects without imp'riling our form of
governments and as "" are not willing to
surrender our civilization or to convert
the republic into an empire We favor AN
immediate declaration of the nations
purpose to civ" to the FiipIuOS uTSt a
stable form uf government. SECOND. indie
pcndcu,c. and tnl.d. protection .rom out
side interference, such as has been given
for nearly u century to the republics OF
Central and South America.
The greedy COmmr!ciIlism which die
tated tn" Phiiippin" policy of the R"pub-
liCan administration attempts to justify
II with the plea that il will pay, but even
this sOrdid and unworthy plea fails when
brought TO the test of facts. The war Of
criminal aggression against the Cilipinos,
entailiRg an annual expense of many mil
lions, 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 at
the expense of liberty the price is always
too high.
We are not opposed to territorial ex-
panson when it takes in desirable terri
tory which can be erected into states in
the Union and whose people are willing
and fit to become American citizens. We
favor expansion by every peaceful and
legitimate means. But we are unalterably
opposed to scZing or purchasing dis
tant islands to be governed outside the
constitution and 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 extended
not by force and violence, but through
the pursuasive power of Il high and hon
orable example.
( The Importance OF other questions now
pending before the American people is in
nowise diminished, and the Democratic
party takes no backward step from its
position on them, but the burning issue
of imDuridliSm growing out of the Span
ish war involves the very existence of
the republic and the destruction of our
free institutions. W" regard ii as the
paramount issue of the campaign.
Republican Insinccrity.
4 The declaration in the Republican plat
I vantion. held in June. 1900. that the Re
] publican party "steadfasty adhercs to
the policy announced in the Monroe doc
trine" is manifcstly insincere and de-
/ ceptive This profession Is ContradiCted
! by the avowed policy of that party in OPP
position to the spirit of the Monroe doc
{rine to acquire and hold sovereignty
over large areas of territory and large
numbers of people in the eastern hcmis-
phere. We insist on the strict maintcn-
q anCe of the Monroe doctrine and in all its
integrity both In letter and in spirit, as
necessary to prevent the extension of
4 European authority on this continent and
/ as essential to our supremacy in I'm trican
! affairs At the same time we declare
that no American people shall ever be
held by force in unwilling subJcCtion to
. European authority.
| We oppose milituriSm. II means con-
/ 1ucst abroad and intimidation and on
! preston at hom.. II means the strong
! arm which has ever been fatal to free
I institutions. 1t is what millions of our
/ citizens have fled from in Europe. It
will impose upon our peace loving poo-
| pie a large standing army ana uunCcCs-
sarv burden of taxation and Il constant
! menace to their liberties. a small stand
/ Ing army and a well disciplined state
. militia are amply sufficient in time of
/ peace This republic has no place for
Q vast military service and cousCription
| When the nation Is in danger the vol
untccr soldier Is his country's best de-
/ FENDER. The national guard Of the Uni
ted States should ever hc Chcriscd in the
I patriotic hearts of Il free people. Such
/ ORGANIZATIONS are ever an element of
strength and safety. For the first time
| in our history ahd Co-cvil with the Phil