Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-07-13

st. Louis, Mo-, July 9.-The platform
adopted by the Democratic national con-
sventien is as follows:
The Democratic party of the United
States, in national convention assem-
Sled, declares its devotion to the
essential principles of the Democratic
1asth winch bring US together in party COM
nunfon Under thems local self-govern-
nent, and national unity and prosperity
were alike established. They undertake our
independence, the structure of our free re-
public. and every democratic extension
1razn Louisiana to California, and Texas to
Oregon, which preserved faithfully IN all
she states the tie between taxation anI rep
resentation. They yet inspirit the masses Of
our people. guarding jealously their, rights
sernity, peace, and orderly development.
They remind us of our duties and responsi-
particularly at this time, the necessity Of
reform and the rescue Of the administra-
saon of government from the headstrong,
arbitrary and spasmodic methods which dis
tract business by uncertainty, and pervade
the public mind with dread, dlStruSt, and
perturbation.
Fundamental Principles
The application Of those fundamental
principles to the living issues, of the day
sred the FIRST step and towa1d
aation. Freedom of the press of con-
science, and of speech; equality before the
INV of all citizens; the right of trial by
jury: freedom of person defended by
the writ of habeas corpus; liberty of per-
sonal contract untrammeled by sumptuary
Jaws; the supremacy of The civil over mill
tary authority; well disciplined militia;
she separation of church and state; econ
smy in expenditures; low taxes that labor
may be lightly burdened; the prompt. and
sacred fulfllment of public and private
allegations; fidelity to treaties; peace and
friendship with all nations; entangIng al
Iiances with none; absolute acqu escence
ciple OF republics-these are doctrines
which Democracy has established as prov
cribs of the nation, and they should be cor
stantly invoked, preached, resorted to AID
enforced.
Capital and Labor.
We favor the enactment and administra-
efon Of laws giving labor and capital i'm
partially their just rights. Capital and la
accessory to the other. Each has its
rights, but the rights OF labor are certainty
no less vested no less sacred, ana DO
less ''inalienable'' than the rights of cap
Aal.
Constitutional Guarantees.
Constitutional guarantees are violated
whenever any. citizen is denied the rlsnt
40 labor, acquire and enjoy property or re-
side where interest or inclination may de-
aermine Any denial thereof by individuals,
organizations or governments should be
summarily rebuked and punished.
We deny the right Of any executive to
disregard or suspend any constltutlonal
laws and respect for their requirements are
alike the supreme duty of the citizen and
Abe official.
The military should be used only to sup
port and to maintain the law We unquali-
aedly condemn its employment for the sum,
aaTy Punishment of citizens without trial
er for the control of elections.
We approve the measure which passed the
United States Senate in 1896, but which
Republican Congress has ever since refused
10 enact relating to contempts In federal
courts, and providing for trial by jury in
gases of indirect contempt.
Waterways.
We favor liberal appropriations for the
care and Improvement of the waterways
the Mississippi river, is of sufficient impor-
'sance to be of special aid to the govern
nnent, such aid should be extended with
"A definite plan of continuous work until
permanent Improvement is secured.
We oppose the Republican policy of starv-
ing home development in order to feed the
greed for conquest and the appetite for
national prestige" and display of strength.
Economy in Administration
4 Large reductions can readily DE made
I'D the annual expenditures of the govern
ment without imparins the efficiency of
any branch of the pubic service and we
shall insist upon the strictest economy and
frugality compatible with vigorous and eff
Geient civil, military and naval administra-
We favor honesty In the public service,
md to that end thorough legis-
.satye investigation of those executive de-
'sartments of the government already known
10 TEEN with corruption, as we'll as other
departments suspected of harboring corrup-
lion, and the punishment of ascertained
eorruptionists without fear or favor Or re-
gard to persons. The persistent and de-
.berate refusal of both the Senate and
.sach investigation to be made demonstrates
.ahat only by a change in the executive and
an the legislative departments can complete
@xnosnre punishment and correction be OBJ
Sained.
Federal Government Contract with Trusts
We condemn the action of the Repub-
Mcan party in Congress In refusing to pro-
fibit an executive department from enter
ing into contracts with convicted trusts
unlawful combinations in restraint of inter
state trade. We believe that one OF the
best methods Of procuring economy and
honesty in the public service is to have
;pubic officials, from the occupant of the
white house down to the lowest of them.
returned as nearly as may be to Jefferson
ian simplicity Of living.
Executive Usurpation.
We favor the nomination and election of
a President imbued with the principles of
the constitution who will set his face
isternly against executive usurpation Of leg
iusurpation be yelled under the guise OF ex-
sceutive construction of existing laws, or
whether it take refuge In the tyrants pleas
Of necessity or superior wisdom.
Imperialism.
We favor the preservation, so far as we
.ean, of an open door for the worlds com
alerce in the Orient without unnecessary
leEtanglement in Oriental and European ar
lfairs, and without arbitrary, unlimited, ire
isponslble and absolute government any
swhere within jurisdiction. We oppose,
/ rs fcrvently as did George Washington him
self an indefinite, irresponsible, discretion
oil, Init l,Io ,1ffo,
colonial exploitation. matter where or
Aby whom invoked exercised: we believe
aNith Thomas Jefferson and John Adams
Ehas no government has 4 right to make