Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-07-09

assume the craftsmanship Mr.. VIII
liams said In yielding the gavcl that
he was not reluctant to part with II.
and his sigh of relief when his labors
were over showed he was in earnest
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM
Declaration Of Principles AS Read In
National Convention.
ST. Louis. July S.--The sub-commit
tee Of the committee on resolutions
spent the entire day in perfecting the
details of the Democratic platform.
concluding at that hour with the
adoption of gold standard plank. The
plank was voted in during the absence
of Mr.. Bryan and Congressman Will
liams. and the ballot stood Z to 3. the
affirmative votes being cast by Messrs.
Daniel. Hill. Pattiso.. Hamlin. Cable.
Poe and Davis. and the negative votes
by Mcssrs Dubois. Shively and New
lands The understan ling was that II
Messrs. Bryan and Williams had been
present they would have cast their
votes in the negative thus bringing
the opposition vote to five.
AS agreed upon. the text of the plat
form was:
We. the delegates CT the Democratic
party of the United States. In national
convention assembled declare our devo-
tion TO the essential pr nciples OF the DEM
ocratic faith which brings us together in
party communion. Jnder them. local
self government and national unity and
prosperity were alike established. They
undcrlaid our indcpcnf ence the structure
of our free republic. and every Democrat
ic extension from Louisiana to Cali
fornia and Texas to oregon. which pre-
serves faithfully In nj the states the tie
between taxation and representation.
They yet inspirit the masses of our peo-
pie. guarding jealousiy their rights and
liberties. and cherishinG their fraternity.
peace and orderly dev evelopment. They re-
mind ms of our duties and responsibilities
as citizens and impress upon us. particu-
larly at this time. the necessity of reform
and the rescue of the administration Of
government from the headstronG. arbi-
trary and spasmodic methods which dis
tract business by uncertainty. and per-
wade the public mind with dread. distrust
and perturbation.
The application of these fundamental
principles TO the livit e issues of the day
constitute the first step toward the as
sured peace. safety and progress of our
nation. Freedom of the press. of con-
science and of speech: equality before the
law of all citizens: the right of trial by
jury: freedom of the person defended by
the writ of habeas corpus: liberty Of per-
sonal contract untra nmelcd by sumptu-
ary laws: the supremacy of the civil over
military authority: a well disciplined mil
ftia; the separation of church and state:
economy In expenditures low taxes. that
labor may be lightly burdened: the
prompt and sacred 'ulnllmcnt of public
and private obligations: fidelity TO treat
les: peace and friendship with all ma
tions: cntansling ALI inces with none: alb
solutc acquiescnce in the will OF the ma
tority. the vital pri lciple of republics
these are doctrines which Democracy has
established as provei bs of the nation and
they should be constantly invoked.
preached. rcsorted 10 and enforced
Large reductions can readily br made
In the annual expenditures of tn" govern
ment without impai ing the efficiency of
any branch of the public service. and we
shall insist upon the strictcst economy
and frugality compatible with vigorous
and efficient civil. military and naval ad-
minisiration as Il rit.ht of the people. too
clear Ia be denied or withheld
2-Thc enforcement of honesty In the
public service. and to that end thor
ouGh Legislative investigation of those eX-
ecutivc departments of the government.
already known To TEEN with corruption
as Well as other departments suspected
Of harborinS corruption and the punish
mcnt Of aSCtrtaincd corruptienists with
out fear or favor oI regard To persons.
3-Wc favor the nomination and cleo
ton of Il president aimed in the ways of
the constitution. who shall set his face
Sternly against executive uSurpation OF
legislative and judic al functions. whether
flsaN
OF executive construction of existing laws
or whether IL take refuge In the tyrantS
plea of necessity or superior wisdom.
4EThc Democratic party has been and
will continue TO ne the consistent oppo-
nent Of that class Cf tariff legislation by
which certain interests have been permit
ted. through congrc;sional favor. - draw
a heavy tribute from the American peo-
pie. This monstrous pcrvcrSion of those
equal opportunities which our political
institutions were established to secure.
has caused what may once have been In
FAINT industries to become the greatest
combinations of capital that the world
has ever known. These publicly favored
enterprises have through trust methods
been converted into monopolcs. thus
bringing to an end domestic competition.
which was the only check upon the ex-
travagant profits made possible by the
protective system.
We iaNor wise. conservative ana
businesslikc revision and "A gradual re-
duction of the tariff by the friends of the
MASSES and for the common veal. and not
by tn" friends Of H.: abuses its cXtnrtiouS
and its Determinations. keeping in view
the ultimate end of equality OF burdens
and equality of opportunities. and the
constitutional purpose of raising reve-
nue. by taxation. to wit. the support of
the federal government In all its integ-
rity and Virility. hut in SIMPLICITY: and
keeping also in view. as men Of common
sense should. existing conditions how
ever wrongfully mistaken or unjustly
brought about. ard the danger to the
cause of tariff reform itself nf abrupt
and revolutionary reversal of policy.
The Money Question.
The discoveries cf gold within the past
few years and the great increase in the