The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1900-07-13
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
Declaration of Principles Adopted by
the Democratic Convention
at Kansas City.

Declaration of Principles Adopted by
the Democratic Convention
ut Kansas City.
Kansas City, Mo-, July 5.-The fol
lowing is the platform as drawn by the
resolutions committee, submitted to
the convention and adopted unani-
q ouAly:
Imperialism.
We, the representatives of the demo
cratic party of the United States, Assem-
bled in national convention, on the ami
verSary of the adoption of the Decl9ra Ion
of Independence, do reaffirm our faith IN
that Immortal proclamation of ~, the IN, IN.
to the constitution framed in harmony
Herewith by the fathers of the republic.
We hold with the United States SUI
pre1ne court that the Declaration of In
dependence is the spirit of our govern
ment. 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
upon the consent of the governed is a
tyranny, and that to impose upon any
people a government of force is to substi-
tute 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 con-
stitution, can exercise lawful authority
beyond it, or in violation of it.
We assert that no nation can long en-
dure half republic and half empire. and
we warn the American people that impe-
rialism abroad will lead quickly and in
evitably to- despotiSm at home.
Believing in these fundamental prin-
ciples, we denounce the Porto Rico law,
enacted by republican congress against
the protest and opposition of the dem
ocratic minority, as bold and open viola
ton of the nations organic law, and a
fragrant breach of the national good faith.
1t imposed upon the people of Forto
Rico a government without their consent
and taxation without representation. 1t
d1shonorS the American people by repu-
dating solemn pledge made in their be-
half by the commanding general of our
army, which the Porto Ricans welcomed
to a peaceful and unresisted occupation
Of their land. 1t doomed to poverty and
distress a people whose helplessness ap-
peals with peculiar force 20 our justice
and magnanimity. In this, the first act
publican party seeks to commit the Unit
ed States to colonial policy, inconsistent
with republican institutions and con-
Gus decisions
Cuba and the Philippines.
We demand honest fulfllment of our
pledge to the Cuban people, that the
United States has no disposition or in
lOnl1OH TO exercise sovereignty OF JuIlS-
diction over the island except for It's pa
cifcation. The war ended two years ago
and profound peace reigns all over The
island, and still the administration Of
the island is withheld from it's people
while republican carpetbag officials plum
der its revenues and exploit the colonial
theory to the disgrace of the American
people.
We condemn the Philippine policy of the
present administration. 1t has em5roiled
the republic in an unnecessary war. sac
rificed the lives of many of it's mobiles,
sons and placed the United States. pre-
viously known and applauded Throughout
the world as the champion of freedom,
In the false and un-American position of
crushing with military force the efforts
of our former allies to achieve liberty and
self-goVernment.
The Filipinos can not be citizens with
out endangering our civilization; they can
not be subjects without imperiling our
form of government, and as we are not
convert the Republic into an empire.
We favor an immediate declaration of
f6nds the nations i purpose to give to to the FIJI
ment; second, independence, and third
protection from outside interference such
as has been given for nearly a century to
the republics of Central and South Ameri-
The greedy commercialism which die
tated the Philippine policy of the re-
publican administration attempts to JUS
tify it 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 FilipinOS, entailing an annual eX-
pense of many millions, has already cost
more than any possible profit that can
accrue from the entire Philippine trade
for years to come. Furthermore, when
trade is extended at the expense of lib
erty, the price is always too high.
Territorial Expansion.
We are not opposed to territorial expan-
sion when 1t takes in desirable territ ory
which can be erected into states in the
Union, and whose people are willing and fit
to become American citizens. We favor
trade expansion by peaceful and
legitimate means. But we are unater-
ably opposed to the seizing or purchanse
of distant 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 persuasive power of a high and non
orable example.
The Burning Issue.
The importance of other questions now
pending before the American people is
in no wise diminished, and the democratic
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 re-
public and the destruction of our free in
stitutions. q
We regard 1T as the paramount is
sue of the campaign.