Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-15


raised against the resolution to instruct
the delegation of six to support, advocate
and vote for Judge Gray's nomination.
The, platform adopted declares for I'M
faltering devotion to state rights. critf-
cises the national administration and de-
clares for revision of the tariff.
Harmony prevailed in all the caucuses
and in the convention. There was some
discOrd in the Kent county caucus where
the Bryan adherents had majority, but
threatened trouble quickly disappeared
when the caucus selected one Bryan and
one Gray delegate as that county's rep
resentation in the national delegation. In
Delaware each of the three counties Sc
lects two of the six national delegates.
which selection is ratified by the conven-
ton. AS the delegates are bound by the
unite rule. it makes no difference what the
individual delegates preference might be.
All are bound to obey the instructions OF
the convention.
The Platform.
The following resolutions were submitted
and adopted:
We declare our attachment to our dual
system of government consisting of SOW
ereizn states. which are the surest bull
wark against anti-republ.can tendencies
at home indissolubly united in a general
government which is the sheet anchor OF
our safety abroad. The local self-govern-
ment by which power to manage their
own affairs IS most efficiently retained
m the hands of the people can only be
maintained in the future. as it has been
in the past. by unfaitering devotion to
the rights of the states as reserved 10
them i'm the federal Constitution.
The exertion of the just powers of the
federal government conferred by the Con-
stitution are amply sufficient to accom-
plish the ends for which they were In
to
only to be brought about by the consent
of the states themselves given in the
manner prescribed in the Constitution
The suggestion that Their extension can
be accomplished by strained judicial con-
struction or by executive usurpatfon to
meet the purposes of those who, for the
time being. are in possession OF govern
mental power. merits universal eXecratfon
and should be |rebuked at the polls by
the votes OF a free people. Constitutions.
state and national were intended to stand
the strain and stress of popular excite
ment and a strict observance of the con-
stitutional limitations imposed on govern
mental power is essential to the preSerVa-
| ton of our liberties.
The republican Pres: dent has dictated to
| the Congress and he has harshly criticised
| the decisions o. the courts: he has sought
| to enlarge the powers of the general gov
| eminent beyond its constitutional grants
| and to curtail the constitutional rights of
the states to exercise exclusive power over
| the domestic affairs. We urge the election
| of a President who will support and de-
| fend the institution as ii has been writ
! ten and will himself observe and obey its
| limitations by treating the Congress and
| the Supreme Court coordinate and not
| as subordinate departments of the govern
| ment. and who will recognize the consti-
| tutional limitations on executive power to
| the end that the executive. the legislative
! and the judicial departments of our gov
eminent constitutionally defined may
be preserved unto the future as they have
come to us from the past
The Present Tariff Law.
The present tariff law enacted by the
republican party has increased the cost
o. the necessities of life to the people: it
has burdened many industries in order TO
substitute a few. and has promoted the
formation of gantic industrial trusts and
fostered the establishment of Odious mo-
nopoies We demand the immediate re-
vision of the tariff by the friends of The
people.
We favor the enforcement of all laws
enacted by the Congress and the prosecu-
ton OF all violators thereof to the full eX-
tent of the law. both civil and criminal.
regardless of whether the violator be rich
or roor and to this end we demand spe-
cially that the Sherman antitrust act
shall be enforced against all illegal mo-
nopolies and not simply aga nst a select
few.
Holding these views we present to the
democracy OF our sister states the name
of George Gray as our candidate FOR the
presidential nomination. Without dis
parasement of other statesmen whose
names have been suggested we believe
that George Gray is the democrat in
whom the American people can most
safely put their trust His devotion to the
Constitution. his sympathetic union with
the great mas ses of the people. his pas
sionate devotion 10 justice and right. and
his mcdesty and moderation of character
mark him as the man best fitted to lead
our government to the better and safer
ways which made it glorious in the days
of the fathers of the republic His per
sonality and career illustrate the reform
which the evils of our times demand His
rectitude is most pure and beyond the
reach Of any selfish motive. His Judge
ment is sound mature and farseeing and
his patriotism and civic courage have
been tested by many years of exalted
public service.
Tn urging his nomination we are not
inspired by any ambition on his part nor
animated by mere state pride: but we ar,
impelled by a profound conviction that
his nomination will insure victory for
our party AT the polls and great wise
ard progressive democratic adminis,ra-
lion Of the general government. We,
therefore, hereby direct and instruct the
delegates this day elected to support. ad
vocate and vote for George GRAY for the
| presidential nomination at the democratic.
national convention.