Arizona silver belt., 1900-07-19
DEMOCRATIC
 PLATFORM.
A New Declaration of Independ- ence Adopted by the Na-
 tional Convention
.REAFeiisM rHE pRINCIpLEs OF FREE
 GOVERN MENr.

We the representatives of the
 democra,ic party u. the United States,
 t>scmble,l in national convention on
 lhC anniversary uf the adoption Of
 rhr Declaration ot Independence, do
 reaitirm our faith in that immortal
 of man, and our allegiance to the Con
 ,titution formed in harmony there
 with by the fathers of the republic.
 We hold, with the United States supreme court, that the Declaration uf Independence is the spirit of our government, of which the Constitu- l ton is the lorm and letter, We de- clare again that all governments iu- StiUutea among men derive their just powers from the consent of the gov eyped; that any government not based upon the consent of the governed is a tyranny; and that te impose upon any people a government officer is to sub >titutc the methods of imperialism for those of a republic. We hold that the Constitution follows the flag, and de- ,runce the doctrine that an executive or congress deriving their existence and powers from the Constitution can exercise unlawful authority beyond it ur in violation of it. We assert that uu Rstion can endure half republic and halt empire. and we warn the people that imperialism abroad will
 ead quickly and inevitably to despot- ism at home.
 PoRrp RICAN LAW DENou NCEp.
 Believing in these fundamental principles, We denounce the Porto RicaH law enacted by a republican, cOnzress against the protest and oppo- ,Jtiou of the demOcratis minority, as a bold and open violation of the na- tiOn's organic law, and fragrant breach of thr national faith. It i'm poses upOa the people of Porto Rico government without their consent, an6 taxation without representation. It llishonors the American people by repudiatng a solemn pledge made in their behalf by the commanding gen cral of our army. which the Porto Ricaas welcomed to d peaceful and unresisted occupation ol their land' 1t doomed to poverty and distress Deeple whose helplessnesS appeals with peculiar force to our justice and mag nanimity. In this, the first act of its imperialistic programme, the repuhli- can party seeks to commit the United States to colonial policy, incon- Sistent with republican institutions and condemned by the supreme court in numerous decisions.
 FREEDOM FOR CUBA.
 We demand the prompt and honest fultillment of every pledge to the Cuban people and the world: that the United States has no disposition or in. tention to exercise sovereignty, iuris- dictiOn or control over the island of Cuba, except for its paciiication. The war ended nearly two years ago, pro found peace reigns all over the island, and still the administration keeps the government of the island from US people. while the republican carpet Dag officials plunder it's revenues and "Xpluit the colonial theory to the dis grace of the American people.
 CONDEMN THE PHILIPPINE POLICY.
 We condemn and denounce the Philippine policy of the present ad- minstratiOn. lt has embrOiled the re- public in an unnecessary war, sacrl- ticed the lives of many of its noblest sons. and placed the United States, previously known and applauded throughout the world as the champion of freedom, in the false and un-A mer- iCan position of crushing with mill tary force the efforts Of our former allies to achieve liberty and sclf-gov- crnment The FilipinOs cannot be citizens without endangering our civ iliZatiOn: they cannot he subjects l without imperiling our form oi gov ernmcnt, and as we arc not willing to | Surrender our civilization or to convert | the republic into all empire. we favor an immediate dcciaratlon of the na- tiOn's purpose to give ,o the Filipinos, first, a state of government: second, i independence, and thIrd, prlecllon | from outside interference, such as has | Deen given for nearl, d century lV tue rcpublicS of Central and Souti Amer Ia.
 The greedy cOmmgrciallsm which | dIctated the Philippine policy of the l epublican administrations, attempts | 10 justify it with lhc plea that II Will | pay, but even his nnrdid and un- l worthy plea fail, when brought lo the | 'rSt of facts. The war of criniinai | tggression against the fiIipinos. eii'
 ailing annually an expense of many | billions, has already cost more than
 my possible profit that could accrue | rom the entire Philippine trade for