The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1904-07-14
THE PLATFORM.

y ak ! LIZA u 0ASAAs
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 its members to-
| gether 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 extension from LOU
isiana to California and Texas TO ore,
gon, which preserves faithfully In all
the states the tie between taxation and
representation. They yet inspire the
masses OF our people. guarding 5eal-
ously their rights and liberties and
cherishing their fraternity. peace and
orderly DEVELOPMENT. They remind US
of our duties and responsibilities as
citizens and impress upon us. particu-
larly at this time. the necessity of re-
form and the rescue OF the admins
tration of government from the head
strong, arbitrary and spasmodic meth
DDS which distract business by uncer-
tain.y. and pervade the public mind
with dread. distrust and perturbation.
eunoament3t PTtuCtPt0Ss
The application Of these fundamental
PRINCIPLES to the living issues OF the
day is the first step toward the as
sured peace. safety and progress OF
our nation. Freedom of the press.
of conscience and of speeck-eQuallty
under the law Of all citizens: right
of trial by jury: freedom of the per-
son defended by the writ OF habeas
corpus: liberty of personal contract. un-
trammeled by sumptuary laws. .u-
premacy of the civil over military au-
thority: we'll disciplined militia: the
separation OF church and state; econo-
my in expenditures; low taxes that la
Dor may be lightly burdened: prompt
and sacred fulhllment OF public and
private obligations: fidelity to treaties:
peace and friendship with all nations.
entangling alliances with none: abso-
lutte acquiescence OF the will OF the
majority. the vital principle of repub-
lics-these are doctrines which Democ-
racy has established. approved by the
nation and they should be constantly
invoked and enforced.
Capital and Labor.
We favor the enactment and admin
istration OF laws giving labor and cap
ital impartially their just rights. Cap
rlies. Each is necessary to the other.
Each has rights. but the rights of la
Dor ere certainly no less vested" no
less sacred and no less inalienable than
the riyhts Of capital.
constitutional Guarantee.
Constitutional guarantees are vio-
lated when any citizen il denied the
right to labor. acquire and enjoy prop
erty or reside where interest or incli-
nation may determine. Any denial
thereof by individuals. organizations o.
governments should be summary re-
buked and punished.
We deny the right Of any executive
to disregard or suspend any constitu-
tional privilege CT limitation. Obedience
to the laws and respect for their re-
quirements are alike the supreme duty
of the citizen and the ofiicial.
The military should be only used to
support and maintain the law. We I'M
qualinedly condemn its employment
for the summary Punishment of citi-
zens without trial. or for the control
of elections.
We approve the measure which
passed the United States senate in
gress has ever since refused to enact.
relating to contempts in federal courts
and providing for trial by jury In cases
OF indirect contempt.
Water Ways.
We favor liberal appropriations for
the care and improvement OF the wa
terways Of the country. When any
waterway like the Mississippi river Is
OF suficient importance to demand |
special aid Of the government. such |
aid should be extended with a definite |
plan of continuous work until perma-
nent Improvement IL secured. We op-
pose the Republican policy Of starving |
home development In order to feed the l
greed for conquest and the appetite |
for national prestige" and display Of /
strength.
Administrator.
Large reductions can easily be made /
IN the annual expenditures in the gov
without impairing the eff
cheney Of any branch OF the public SER
Vice, and we shall insist upon the
Btrictest economy and frugality COM
patible with vigorous and efficient civ.
4, military and naval administration
- right Of the people too clear to
be denied or withheld.
We favor the enforcement of hon.
esty In the public service. and to that
Ind thorough legislative investiea-
Jon Of those executive departments Of
he government already known to TEEN
With corruption, al well az other de-
,artments suspected OF harboring COR
upton, and the punishment OF ascer-
aimed corruptionists. without fear or
avor In regard to persons. The per.
IiDtent and deliberate refusal of both
he senate and the house Of represen-l
ativeS to permit such Investigation 70
y made demonstrates that only by q
'hanxe In the executive and in the
egislative departments can complete
exposure. punishment and correction
V obtained.
Government Contract With Trusts.
We condemn the action of the Re-
'ublican party In congress in refusing
o prohibit an executive department
rom entering into contracts with con.
1cted trusts or unlawful combinations
q restraint OF interstate trade. We
elieve that one Of the best methods
{ procuring economy and honesty IN
he public service IL to have public !.
mcials. from the occupant OF the
White House down to the lowest of J
nem. return, al nearly AZ may be, to
enert'nian simplicity Of living.
Executive Usurpation.
We favor the nomination and eIec.
on OF president imbued with the
rtnciples OF the constitution. who VIII Z
It his face sternly against executive I
surpatt0n OF legislative and judicial :