The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-03-27
PIanks on Which Democ-
racy Can Win.
DEFINITE PRINCIPALS
Must Appeal to Moral Sense, Patriot
ism, 0Id-Fashioned Americauism
of Our Citizenship, by Doing
so Deserve to
Win.

By Charles A. Towne in Democracy
l readily accede to your request to say
a few words touching the present duty of
the Democratic party as it presents itself
to me. That duty is, in my judgment. to
go before the American people with an
American program. The Republic has al
ways until recently stood for certain very
definite principles. 1t has stood for ma
tional self-government, international
peace, and domestic equality of opportun-
ty. The Declaration of Independence en-
bodies the first, Washingtons warning
against foreign alliances formulates the
second, and Jefferson's motto OF equal
rights of ALL special privilege to none,
guarantees the third.
The Republican party is engaged in an
attempt to destroy every one OF these pc
culiar and essential American ideals. 1t
is establishing colonial system which
negatives the Declaration of Independ-
ence It's foreign diplomacy plainly con-
templates a perilous participation in the
selfish designs of international intrigue.
Its domestic policy fosters monopoly which
tive of social tranquility, and true. in
dustrial progress. Taken together these
policies involve an abandonment of all
that this government was founded to eX-
emplify.
Tt is my observation that the great ma
jority of reflecting and patriotic Ameri-
can citizens are dissatisfied with these
tendencies Of Republican administration.
ic hat If a n
portunty to vote against colonization,
against jingoism, against excessive tariff
taxation and resultant monopoly, against
aggression in the government, against eX-
travagance in expenditure and corruption
in office, and im favor of the old American
and original Democratic principles, the
people of this country may be successful
ly appealed to by reunited Democracy
in the impending campaign.
While disclaiming any intention herein
to formulate platform, let me say that
my earnest hope is that the convention
at ST. Louis may not frame a too diff
fuse and inclusive pronouncement, but
may speak out, trumpet tongued, for the
rc-establshment of the fundamental doc
trines of our institutions and their real-
cation in the foreign and domestic poll
cies of the government.
F'irst.-We should re-assert the verify
Of the Declaration of independence, and,
as corollary, announce the purpose of
the Democratic party never to permit the
permanent retention of combines or de-
pendencics by the United States, and
should give to every people now occu-
pying that anomalous relation to this gov
ernment u guaranty either OF ultimate
Statehood in the Union or of national in
dependence, with suitable provision for
our own commercial interests, as soon as
such people is ready and able to assume
The obligations of separate national eX-
| istence.
Second. We should pledge ourselves to
respect the limitations of the Constitu-
! tion and to restore the coordinate dignity
| Of the Congress in our system.
Third.-We should declare against every
| form of special privilege and monopoly
existing either by virtue, or by permis-
sion. of the laws.
Fourth-We should demand revision
of tariff schedules on a revenue basis.
Fifth-We should declare in favor of
constitutional amendment authorizing the
direct election of United States Senators
and the enactment of an income tax
Sixth.-We should pledge ourselves to
economy in public expenditures and to
honesty in administration.
| Seventh.-We should arraign the Re-
publican party for it's recreancy to the
great fundamental principles of the re
public, for its reckless departure from
safe and established American policies,
and for its wasteful and corrupt conduct
of the government; and we should go be-
fore the people of the country in the name
Of the sacred original precepts of liberty
announced and vindicated by our fathers,
calling them "to restore the action of
tie Federal Government to the principles
OF Washington and jefferson"
The above is not intended, of course, as
the outline of platform 1t does not ex-
haust the Subjects upon which we ought
10 pronounce, nor does it aim to state full
~ what the convention ought to say even
on the topics mentioned; but it embraces
suggestions of certain principles that
must, i'll my opinion, form the basis and
substance of platform that shall at once
represent the true American instincts and
convictions of our people and the hopes
End purposes of the Democratic party.
We must appeal to the moral sense. the
patriotism the oldfashioned American
ism of our citizenship. BY doing so we
shall deserve to win. If we do so be-
lieve we shall win.
CHARLES A. lTOWNE.