Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1904-09-06
THE DEMOCRATIC
PLATFORM

I'VE the democratic party OF the United
States III national convention assembled,
declare its devotion to the essential prln-
ciples of the democratic faith which
brings US together in party communion.
"Gnder them local self-government and
national unity and prosperity were alike
established. They underlaid our independ-
and every democratic extension from
Louisiana to California ana Texas to Ore
gon. which preserved faithfully in all the
resentation. They yet Inspire. the masses
of our people guarding tealously their
rights and liberties. and cherishing their
ment. They remind us of our duties and
responsibilities as citizens and impress
upon US, particularly AT, this time. the
administration Of government from the
methods which distract business by un.
with dread. distrust and perturbation.
The application OF these fundamental
principles to the living issues of the day
sured peace, safety and progress Of our
nation. Freedom of the press, of con-
science and of speech; equality before
by jury: freedom OF the person defended
by the writ of habeas corpus; liberty of
personal contract untranmeled by sump--
tuary laws; the. supremacy OF the civil
over military authority: a we'll ell-disciplined
militia; the separation of church and
state; economy in expenditures; low
dened; the prompt and sacred fulflllnent
of public and private obligations; fidelity
to treaties; peace and friendship with all
entanglng alliances with none;
absolute acquescence in the will of the
majority, the vital principle of republics
these are doctrines which democracy has
and they should be constantly invoked.
preached resorted to and enforced.
Contr"lfsis Expenses.
Il. Large reductions can readily be
made in the annual expenditures of the
cheney of any branch of the public service,
and we shall insist upon the strictest
economy and frugaIity compatible with
naval administration as a right of the
people. too clear to be denied or with
so. The enforcement of honesty in the
public service, and to that end a thorough
legislative investigation of those execu-
tive departments of the government al
well as other departments suspected of
harboring corruption. and the punishment
OF ascertained corruptionists without fear
or favor or regard te persons. The per
sistent and deliberate refusal Of both the
senate and house Of representative to
permit such investigation to be made by
that only by a change In the executive
and in the house Of representatives can
complete exposure, punishment and cor.
rection be obtained.
In broader furtherance Of that end the
federal government should not permit it.
self to be robbed by entering into con-
in restraint of Interstate
trade. existing in violation Of law. We
believe that one Of the. best methods of
public service is to have public officials.
from the occupant of the White House
down to the lowest of them. return, as
nearly as may be. to Jeffersontan SIM
plicity Of living.
Presidential Reoomm EN- dations.
"s. We favor the nomination and elec-
tion OF a president trained in the ways of
the constitution, who shall set his face
legislative and judicial functions, whether
that usurpation be ruled under the guise
OF executive CONSTRUCTION Of existing
tyrants pleas of necessity of superior
wisdom.
"a III The demoeratie moe" party has been.
opponent Of that &C eas2 Of IF tariff e1s1io eosistG'
by which certain interests have been per-
nitted, through congressional favor, to
draw a heavy tribute from the American
people. This monStrOuS perverSiOn of
those equal opportunities, which our po-
litical institutions were established to Sc
cure, has caused what may once have
~NNAA JNNoliAC
greatest combinations Of capital that the
world has eyer. known. These publicly
favored enterprises have. through TRUST
been converted into monopolies
thus bringing to an end domestic CON-
petition, which was the only check upon
the eXtravagant profits made possible by
combinations, by the financial assistance
they can give, now control the policy Of
the republican party.
We favor wise, conservative and
businesslike revision ana a gradual re-
duction of the tariff by the friends of the
ma sses and for the common weaI, and
not by the friends of its abuses its eX-
tortons and it's determinations keeping
in view the ultimate end of 'cqu3@l;ty Of
burdens bur I and ;eAuialtT Of opportunities,
g. revenue by taxation, to-Wit the sup
port of the federal government, in all It's
integrity and viiili(y, but in simpiicity,
mon sense should, existing conditions,
however Wrangfully. mistakenly or un-
the cause OF tariff reform itself of ;brupt
and revolutionary reversal of policy.
I'VE should bear in mind, in short these
two things: a Yhe geaeral principle that
alton is the support of the, federal gov
economically, effectively and
constitutionally administered; and q,
the equal truth that IN The assertion Of
any general principle and III rea chine
any ultimate end. however sacred ana
logicalIy unavoidable, due regard, but
to actual existing conditions.
I'VE favor tie reduction of tariff tax
alton upon ust-produced articles 20 tie
points where foreign competition may en-
ter the Americas market whenever trusts
and combines, seeking monopoly, raise
their prices TO tAe American consumer
above a reasonable ana just profit by
such reduction deriving trusts and mo
nopolies OF the power to eXtort from the
American people, under shelter of Amer
can law, prices higher than those charged
foreigners for identical articles.
The Isthmiun Canal.
"OUr party having long and earnestly
advocated the construction Of interoceanic
canal for the purpose of national defense
and commerce between the states and
with foreign nations. we favor the early
of the lsthmian canal.
"But while making this declaration and
accepting the results as an accomplished
and irreversible fact we can not toe
forcibly express. our disapproval Of the
methods by which, in disregard Of the
usages and obligations of International
law and treaty obligations. the canal
route has been acquired, or too solemnly
record our hope that this precedent OF
defiant diplomacy may never be used
against us to our humiliation and injury
Trusts and Unlawful COmbinatiOns.
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