The Washington times., 1912-08-08
CONCISE PLANKS
ON ALL SUBJECTS
Of VITAL MOMENT
Progressive Declaration of
Principles Set Forth In
Clear Language.

ASoi Lang oe6Ss
CHICAGO, Aug. s.--Following Is the
full text of the Progressive party plat
FORM.
q Declaration of Principles of the Pro-
gressive party: The conscience of the
people, in a time of grave national
problems, has called into being a new
party, born of the nations awakened
sense of Justice.
We Of the Progressive party here
dedicate ourselves to the fulfillment of
the duty laid upon us by our fathers
to maintain that government of the
people, by the people, and for the peo.
pie, whose foundations they laid.
We hold, with Thomas Jefferson and
Abraham Lincoln. that the people ARD
the masters Of their Constitution to fui-
fill Its purposes, and to safeguard II
from those who, by perversion of It's
intent, would convert 1t into an instru-
ment of Injustice. In accordance with
the needs of each generation the people
must use their sovereign powers to es-
tablish and maintain equal opportunity
and industrial justice, to secure which
this Government was founded and
without which no republic can endure.
This country belongs to the people
who inhabit 1t. It's resources, its busi-
ness. its institutions, and its law should
be utilized, maintained, or altered in
whatever manner will best promote the
general interest. 1t is time to set the
public welfare in the first riace.
Political Parties
For Public Good.
Political parties exist to secure re-
sponsible government and to execute
the will OF. the people. From these great
tasks both of the old parties have turned
aside Instead of instruments to promote
the general welfare, they have become
the tools of corrupt interests which use
them impartially to serve their selfish
purposes. Behind the ostensible Gov
ernment sits enthroned an invisible gov
ernment, owing no allegiance and ac-
knowledging no responsibility to the
people. To destroy this invisible gov
ernment, to dissolve the unNoly alliance
between corrupt business and corrupt
politics Is the first task Of the states
manship of the day.
The deliberate betrayal of its trust by
the Republican party. the fatal inca
pacity of the Democratic party to deal
with the new issues of the new time
have compelled the people to forge new
instrument of government through
which to give effect to- theiS will in
laws and institutions. Unhampered by
tradition, interrupted by power. undis.
mayed by the magnitude Of the task
the new party offers itself as the III
strument of the people to sweep away
old abuses, to build a new and nobler
commonwealth.
This declaration is our covenant with
the people, and We hereby bind the
party and its candidates in State and
nation to the pledges made herein.
The National Progressives party. com
mftted to the principle of government by
a self-eontrolled democracy, expressing
.ts will through representatives of tn,
people, pledges itself to secure such al
Iterations in the fundamental law Of tn,
several States and of the United State!
as shall insure the representative char
acter of the Government In particular
the party declares for direct primaries
for the nomination of State and nationa
officers, for nationwide primaries To-
candidates for the Presidency, for th'
direct election Of United States Senator
by the people, and we urge on th'
States the policy of the short ballot
with responsibility to the people secured
by the initiative, referendum, and re
call.
Want Constitution
More Easily Changed.