The Springfield herald., 1904-07-15
Democratic Platform.

Following is the platform as adopted
by the convention:
The Democratic party of the United
States, in national convention assem-
bled, declares its devotion to the essen
tial principles of the Democratic faith
which bring us together in party COM
munion.
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 jealousy their rights
and liberties and cherishing their fra
ternity, peace and orderly development.
They remind us of our duties and re-
sponsibilities as citizens and impress
upon us, particularly at this time. the
necessity OF reform and the rescue of
the administration of government from
the headstrong, arbitrary and spas
modic methods which detract business
by uncertainty and pervade the public
mind with dread, distrust and pertur-
baton.
Fundamental Principles.
First-The application of these fun
damental principles to the living
toward the assured peace. safety and
progress of our nation. Freedom of
the press, of conscience and of
speech-equality.
The law of all citizens; right of
trial by jury; freedom of the person
defended by the writ of habeas corpus;
liberty of personal contract untram-
meled by sumptuary laws; supremacy
of the civil over the military author
ity; a well disciplined militia: the sep
aration of church and state: economy
in expenditures; low taxes. that labor
may pe lightly burdened; prompt and
sacred fulfillment of public and private
obligations; fidelity to treaties; peace
and friendship with all nations; en-
tangling alliances with none; absolute
acquiescence in the will of the ma
jority; the vital principles of repub
lics-these are the doctrines which
Democracy has established as prov
constantly enforced.
Capital and Labor.
We favor enactment and administra-
tion of laws giving labor and capital
impartially their just rights. Capital
and labor ought not to be enemies
Each is necessary to the other. Each
has its rights; but the rights of labor
are certainly no less vested" no less
sacred" and no less "unalienable"
than the rights of capital.
Constitutional Guaranty.
Constitutional guarantees are violat-
ed whenever any citizen is denied the
right to labor. acquire and enjoy prop
erty or reside where interest or inclin-
alton may determine. Any denial
thereof by individuals or organizations
of government should be summarily re
buked and punished.
We deny the right of any executive
to disregard or suspend any constitu-
tional privilege or limitation. Obedi-
ence to the laws and respect for their
requirements are alike the supreme
duty of the citizen and the official.
Condemns Deportation.
The military should be used only to
support and maintain the law. We un-
qualifiedly condemn its employment for
the summary banishment of citizens
without trial. or for the control OF
elections.
We approve the measure which
passed the United States Senate in 1896.
relating to contempt In federal courts,
and providing for trial by jury in cases
of indirect contempt.
Waterways.
We favor liberal appropriations fol
the care and Improvement CT the water
ways of the country.