The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1902-06-06
STATE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

upon favored corporations of ship
owners, and to perpetrate robbery
under the forms of law.
".
We believe in the principle of the
Declaration of Independence that,
Governments derive their just pow
ers from the consent of the governed. "
We hold to the principle which has
governed territorial acquisitions by
the Democratic party, that no terri
tory should be added to the country
except with the express purpose that
it shall be made a pare OF the Union
and it's people clothed with all the
rights, duties and esponsiblties Of
American citizenship. We condemn
the course and policy of the administra-
ton and the Republican party in deal
ing with the Philippine Islands as a
breach of national honor and a viola
ton of the traditions of the repub-
lie.
We applaud the yalOr and heroism
Of our soldiers in the Philippines, but
we condemn the policy of the Republi-
can administration, which has resulted
in the sacrifice of 50 many lives and SO
much money.
While the policy of the Republican
party in the Philippines has been
wrong in its origin and purpose:
while it has entailed vast burdens up
on the taxpayers Of the United States,
it will be barren of profit except to a
small number of commercial and pO-
litical adventures, whose misgOvern-
ment Will breed frequent insUrrec-
tiOns to be suppressed by the blood and
treasure of the American people.
Throughout all its history this ma
ton has been singulariy exempt from
the burdens of the great military es-
adjustments that Cypress the nations
of the older world, and yet no nation
has been so secure from the dangers
of attack, or invasion, from other pow
ers. We believe it would be great
mistake to enter upon a policy that
would multiply the points of collision
with other nations and increase the
dangers OF foreign war.
We demand that this Government
at once Announce to the people Of the
Philippines that when peace is re-
stored they shall be allowed to estab-
lish a government Of their own, and
4 that when such stable government is
established they shall be given their
| independence.
Y.
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 consti-
tuJing a menace to the safety of the
republic. A well equipped and eff
cient volunteer organization of militia
in the several States affords the best
and safest guard for the preservation
of internal peace, as well as protection
from foreign foes and we therefore fa-
vor liberal allowances this purpose.
VI.
We condemn the profigate eXpend-
itures Of recent Republican Congresses
and we demand rigid economy in the
administration of the affairs of the
Government.
We favor the early construction of
the Nicaragua Canal by the United
States Government.
VIII.
We express our hearty sympathy for
the people of the South Africanrepub-
lies in their heroic struggle for liberty.
TX.
The Democratic party, at all times
the friend of liberty, welcomes into
the sisterhood of nations the Repub-
lie of Cuba. and demands for Cuba lib
erll commercial relations with the
United States.
X.
We indorse the State platform
adopted by the Democratic guberna-
torial convention in 1900 and pledge
the party to faithful and jealous eff
fort to further carry out the princI-
pies and pledges contained therein.
XI.
We indorse the wise, courageous,
honest and patriotic administration
of the affairs of the State by our dis
tinguished Governor, Hon. Benton
McMillin, and congratulate the peo-
pie upon the sound and healthy condi-
tion of the State under his admins
tration and we nladua tho naopIa n