Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1904-07-15
THE PLATFORM.

fhe Democratic party OF the United
states. In national convention assem.
bled, declares its devotion to the essential
principles OF the Democratic faith which
pring US together In party communion
Under them local self government and
national unity and prosperity were alike
established. They underlaid our inde-
pendence. the structure OF our free re-
public. and every Democratic extension
from Louisiana to California, and Texas
10 oregon, which preserved faithfully in
all the states the tie between taxation
ana representation. They yet inspire the
masses OF our people. guarding jealously
their rights and liberties. and cherish
ing tneir fraternity, peace and orderly
development They remind us of our du-
ties and responsibilities as citizens and
impress upon US, particularly at this
time. the necessity of reform and the
rescue of the administration OF govern
ment from the headstrong. arbitrary and
spasmodic methods which distract busi-
ness by uncertainty, and pervade the
public mind with dread, distrust and
perturbation.
The application of these fundamen-
tai principles to the living issues of the
day Is the first step toward the assured
peace. safety and progress OF our naT
uon. Freedom OF the press, OF con.
science and OF speech; equality before
the law OF all citizens. right OF trial bv
jury, freedom of the person defended by
sohal contract untrameled by SUNNI
tuary laws, supremacy of the civil over
miitary authority n well disciplined mi
htia, the separation of church and state
economy In expenditures, low taxes. that
Iaoor may be lightly burdened; prompt
ana sacred fulhillment of public and pr.-
vate obligations. fidelity to treaties. peace
ana friendship with all nations, entang-
ing alliances with none absolute acoui
Sseshce N the VIII OF the majority, the
Yital principle OF republics-these are doc
tr1neS which Democracy has estahltshad-
approved by the nation, and thev should
De constantly invoked and enforced.
We favor the enactment and admits
tration OF laws. giving labor and capital
impartially their just rights. Capital and
laDor ought not to be enemies. Each Is
necessary to the other. Each has .ts
rights. but the rights OF labor are GER
tainly no less vested" no less 'sacred',
and no less "unalienable' than the rights
OF capital.
Constitutional guarantees are violated
whenever any citizen is denied the right
10 labor. acquire and enjoy property or
reside where interests or Inclination may
determine. Any denial thereof 'bv indE
vlduais' organizations or governments
snould be summartly rebuked and num-
ished. We deny the right of anv oxec,,.
tive to disregard or suspend any oonsti,
tuionai privilege or limitation. Obedi-
ehce 70 the laws and respect for their re-
quirements are alike the supreme duty
or the citizen and the official.
The military should bo used only 70
support and maintain law. We unduali-
hediy condemn its employment for the
summary Punishment of citizens without
trial or for the control of elections.
We approve the measure which nassed
the United States senate In 1896. but
which Republican congress has ever
since refused to enact. relating 10 con-
tcmpts In federal courts, and providing
Tor trial by jury In cases of indirect con.
tempt
We favor liberal appropriations for tho
care ana Improvement of the waterways
or the country When any waterway
IKE the Mississippi river is of sufficient
Importance to demand special aid OF the
government. such aid should be extended
with definite plan OF continuous work
until permanent Improvement IS secured
We oppose the Republican policy OF
starving homo development I'm order 10
feed the greed for conquest and the appe-