Milford chronicle., 1912-08-09

At the Convention held by the Pro-
grcssives at Dover on Wednesday of last
week, the following declaration of priu-
ciples were submitted and adopted
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
We the independent voters Of Della
ware in mass convention assembled,
realizing the sordid debased and sinister
influences which control both the Demo
cratic and the Republican parties i'll tins
State and in TIE Union. and believing
that a new control of affairs is imperative
if essential democracy is to be maintained
on this continent, make the following
declaration of principles:
We hold that as citizens who desire
TO promote the general welfare our first
allegiance is to the State. and Nation.
and that political parties are only the
agencies through which we register and
enforce our DEGREES.
when political parties through the
control of sinister influences cease to- serve
these ends and become the agents of an
insoent and corrupt minority. we hold
II our patriotic duty to throw off the yoke
of such parties even as our forefatherS
OF foreign oppression.
I'VE deuouuCe as dishonest, uupatri0-
tic and insulting to the conscience and
intelligence of the American people the
method bv which the candidates of the
Republican party for President and Vice
President received their nomination. hold
that to approve such a nomination with
our votes would make us accessories in
this treason to our institutions. and We
emphatcally condemn those delegates
from Delaware who assisted In the per
petration OF this fraud on popular govern
neut
We recognize that the ~tme agencies
were potent at the Baltimore Convention
that were successful at Chicago, and that
their influence will in large measure
control the affairs of the Democratic par
Is, no matter though veiled by the pre-
tense of progress and reform.
We demand q comprehensive prm-
arv election law 10 apply To the three
countrie, of the State under which the
voters of the respective parties shall be
permitted to choose their c5nd dates for
couutV and State offices and % express
their preference for candidates for Presl-
dent Vice President and tor the Iutei
State Senate And Vc cpujcWu the ma
chimes of both the Republican and the
Democratic parties which have c1mWned
10 prevent the enactment of such a ulc3-
sure. ana we point to bill of this char
aCter presented To the Legislature AT Its
Last season. which was defeated by
combination of votes representing both
parties II was the absence of law OF
ihis nature which made possible tie
naming of delegates To the Republican
National Convention whose only RECON-
mendation was their subservleuCv to ma
Chine and who odid not ascertain or choose
60 ascertain the sentiments OF the voters
of the party We declare that under such
condition popular government breaks
down and conventions become farce
eve depore an corruption of electors
which in the past has brought repoach
upon many States. including Delaware,
,,c demaned a simple ballot which will
enable the voter to easily AMI certainly
express his will with absolute secrecy 50
that the electors real choice shall go uu-
challeuced We therefore pledge our
efforts to secure the repeal OF the Voters
Assistant Act
I'VE pledge the delegates nominated
q; this mass convention to join with dele
oates from the other States III forming
new party, under a name which they VIII
select. with a platform which shall en-
nodv specific declarations of the right of
the people to run their own government,
ID Keeping with that advance which Is
taking place along ali other lines Of hui
MAN thought and endeavor We pledge
these delegates 20 support for candidates
,.-n whose lives and utterances render
them worthy TO be the standard bearers
Of such a party with such a platform.
We recognize that each generation
has its problems. which must be solved
IL the light of its own needs and eXper
ieuces. and as our fathers overthrew the
Wing party when it ceased to serve the
rroples' cause, so we exercise our right
t. overthrow, or to Withdraw from, any
part4 which has ceased to exhibit that
houestv and intelligence necessary to
meet the requirements of the periods i'll
which we live.
We favor Constitutional amendment