Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-07-09

St. Louis. July 9.-The complete
platform as adopted by the democratic
national convention follows:
The democratic party of the United
States, in national convention assem-
bled, declares its devotion to the es-
sential principles of the democratic
faith which brings us together in party
communion.
Under them local self-government
and national unity and prosperity were
alike established. They underlaid our
independence, the structure of our free
republic. and every democratic extern
sion from Louisiana to California, and
Texas to Oregon. which preserved
faithfully in all the states the tie be-
tween taxation and representation.
They yet inspire the masses of our
people, guarding jealously their rights
and liberties, and cherishing their fra
teTnity. peace. and orderly develop.
ment.. They remind us of our duties
and responsibilities as citizens, and
impress upon us. particularly at this
time, the necessity of reform and the
rescue of the administration of gov
eTnment from the headstrOng, arbi-
trary, and spasmodic methods which
distract business by uncertainty. and
pervade the public mind with dread,
distruct and perturbation.
Fundamental Principles.
/. The application of these funda-
mental principles to the living issues
of the day is the first step toward the
assured peace, safety, and progress of
our nation. Freedom of the press, of
and of speeCh-equality
before the law of all citizens; right
of trial by jUry-freCdom of the person
defended by the writ of habeas corpus;
liberty of personal contract Untram
meled by sumptuary laws; supremacy
of the civil over military authority; a
we'll disciplined militia; the separation
of church and state; economy in cX-
low taxes, that labor may
be lightly burdened; prompt and sac
red fulfillment of public and private
fidelity to treaties; peace
and friendship with all nations; entan-
Cling alliances with none; absolute
the will of the major
ty, the vital principle of republics
these are doctrines which democracy |
has established. approved by the ma
ion, and they should be constantly in
yoked and enforced.
Capital and Labor.
We favor the enactmenC and admin
stration of laws giving labor and cap
tai impartially their just rights. Cap
tai and labor ought not to be enc
mics. Each is necessary to the other.
Each has it's rights, but the rights
IF labor are certainly no less vest
ID" no less sacred" and no less
than the rights OF cap
tai.
constitutional Guarantee.
Constitutional guarantees are viola
ed whenever any citizen is denied the
light TO labor, acquire, and enjoy prop
,rty. or reside where interest or in
.lination may determine. Any denial
hereof by individuals, organizations,
,r governments should be summarily
ebuked and punished.
We deny the right of any executive
o disregard or suspend any constitu-
ional privilege or limitation. Obed-
ence to the laws and respect for their
are alike the supreme
uty of the citizen and the official.
The military should be used only to
upport and maintain the law. We un-
ualifedly condemn its employment
or the summary banishment of citi-
ems without trial or for the control
f elections.
We approve the measure which
assed the United States senate in
89G, but which a epublican congress
as ever since refused to enact. relat-
ng to contempts in federal courts, and
.roviding for trial by jury in cases
+ indirect contempt.
Waterways.
We favor liberal appropriations for
he care and improvements of the wat
rways of the country. When any
waterway like the Mississippi river
9 OF sufficient Importance TO demand
peciaI aid of the government, such
id should be extended with a definite
,Ian of continuous work until perma-
tent improvement is secured.
We oppose the republican policy Of
tarving home developments in oBler
o feed the greed for conquest and
he appetite for national prestige"
md display of strength.
Economy of Administration.
Large reductions can easily be made
n the annual expenditures of the gov
eminent without impairing the eff
:iency of any branch of the pubic