The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1902-06-05

pie clothed with all the rights, duties
and responsibilities of American citi-
zenship. We condemn the course and
policy of the administration and the
republican party in dealing with the
Philippine islands, as. a breach of ma
tional honor and a violation of the ira
ditions of the republic. We applaud
the valor and heroism of our soldiers in
the Philippines, but we condemn the
policy of the republican administration,
which has resulted in the sacrifice of so
many lives and so much money. While
the policy of the republican party in
the Philippines has been wrong in its
origin and its purpose; while it has en-
tailed vast burdens upon the taxpayers
of the United States, it will be barren
of profit except to a small number of
commercial and political adventurers,
whose misgovernment will breed fire.
quent instructions, to be suppressed
by the blood and treasure of the Amer
lean people. Throughout all its histo-
ry this nation has been singularly ex-
empt from the burden of great military
establishments that oppress the nations
of the older world and yet no nation
has been so secure from other powers.
We believe it would be a great mistake
to enter upon policy that would null
tiply the points of collision with other
nations and increase the dangers of a
foreign war. We demand that this
government at once announce to the
people of the Philippines that when
peace is restored they shall be allowed
to establish government of their own,
and that when such stable government
is established they shall be given their
independence.
MILITARIsM CONDEMNED.
We condemn the growing spirit OF
militarism and the large increase OF
our standing army in time of peace as
fraught with great burden upon the
taxpayers of the country and constitut-
ing menace to the safety of the re-
public, A well-equipped and efficient
volunteer organization of militia in the
several states affords the best and saf.
est guard for the preservation of inter.
national peace as we'll as protection
from foreign foes, and we therefore fa
vor liberal allowances for this purpose
We condemn the profigate expendi
lures of recent republican congresses
and we demand a rigid economy in the
administration of the affairs of govern
ment.
We favor the early construction O.
the Nicaraguan canal by the United
States.
We express our hearty sympathy fol
the people of the South African repub
lies in the heroic struggle for liberty.
The democratic party, at all time
the friend of liberty, welcomes into tn,
sisterhood of nations the republic o
Cuba and demands for Cuba libera
commercial relations with the United
States
We indorse the state platform adopt
ed by the democratic gubernatoria
convention in 1900 and pledge the par
ty to faithful aud jealous effort t
further carry out the principles an
pledges contained therein.
: ADMINISTRATION INDoRsED.
We indorse the wise, courageous
honest and patriotic administration {
the affairs of the state by our distir
guished governor, Hon. Benton M
Millin, and congratulate the peopl
| upon the sound and hearty condition
the state under his administration, an
: we pledge the people continuance {
the same rigid economy and high eff
l cheney in the conduct of all depar
9 ments of the state officials now an
heretofore in office who have contrihu
ed to bringing about the present sati
: factory condition of state affairs, fl
5 their active and efficient services. Vi
o der wise legislation instituted by IL
: democratic party, and administered /
: its representatives the debt of the sta
y has been adjusted and its finances ha'
d been so managed as to greatly impro'
o the credit of the state. We felicita
: the people of the state upon the impro
ed conditions resulting from this logi
= lation, and indorse especially the a
e providing for the liquidation and retir
IS ment of the funded debt of the sta
IS and the creation of a sinking fund
: that purpose, whereby more than 8.
d 900, 900 of the states Indebtedness h
r been paid and we pledge ourselves
t. Its continued enforcement.