The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-06-22
TEXT OF DEMOCRATIC PLAT.
FORM, II"
Adopted by National Convention at
st. Louis, June is, 1916.
Administration


Woodrow Wilson. 1t speaks for it
self. 1t is the best exposition of
sound democratic policy at home
and abroad.
We challenge comparison of our
record, our keeping of pledges and
our constructive legislation with
those of any party at any time.
Tariff
We reaffirm our belief in the doc
trine of a tariff for the purpose of
providing sufficient revenue for the
operation of the government eco
nomically administered, and unre-
servedly indorse the Underwood tar
if law as truly exemplifying that
doctrine. We recognize that tariff
rates are necessarily subject to
change to meet changing conditions
in the worlds production and trade.
The events of the last two years have
brought about many momentous
changes.
In order to ascertain just what
future changes may be, the democrat
is congress is providing for non
partisan tariff commission to make an
impartial and thorough study of ev-
ery economic fact that may throw
light either upon our past or upon
our future fiscal policy with regard
to the imposition of taxes on imports
or with regard to the changing and
changed conditions under which our
trade is carried on. We cordially in
dorse this timely proposal and de-
clare ourselves in sympathy with the
principle and purpose of shaping flu
ture legislation within that field in
accordance with clearly established
facts rather than in accordance with
the demands of selfish interests or
upon information provided largely,
if not exclusively, by them.
Merchant Marine
Immediate provision should be
made for the development of the
carrying trade of the United States.
Our foreign commerce has in the past
been subject to many unnecessary
and vexatious obstacles in the way
legislation as may be necessary to
es. We heartily indorse the purposes
and policy of the pending shipping
bill and favor all such additional
measures of constructive or remedial
legislation as may be necessary to
restore our flag to the seas and to
provide further facilities for our for
eign commerce. particularly such
laws as may be made to remove UNI
fair conditions of competition in the
dealings of American merchants and
producers with competition in for
eign markets.
Americanism
The part that the United States
will play in the new day of interna-
tional relationships which is now up
on us will depend upon our prepare
ton and our character. The demo-
cratic party recognizes the assertion
and triumphant demonstration of the
and coherent strength
of the nation, therefore, as the SUI
preme issue of this day in which the
whole world faces the crisis of
manifold change, it summons all
men, of whatever origin or creed,
who would count themselves Ameri-
cans to join in making clear to all
the world the unity and consequent
power of America.
This is an issue of patriotism. To
faint it with partisanship would be
to defile it. In this day of test, Amer
lea must show itself, not nation of
partisans, but nation of patriots.
There is gathered here in America
the best of the blood. the industry
and the genius of the whole world,
the elements of a great race and
society to be melted into
a mighty and splendid nation.
Whoever, actuated by the purpose
to promote the interest of foreign
power, in disregard of our own coun-
try's welfare or to injure this gov
eminent in it's foreign relations or
cripple it's industries at home, and
whoever by arousing prejudices OF
racial, religious or other nature Gre
ates discord and strife among our
people so as to obstruct the whole
some process Of notification is faith
less to the trust which the privileges
of citizenship repose in him and dis
loyal to his country.
We, therefore, condemn as sub
versive to this nations unity and in
tegrity, and is destructive of it's
welfare, the activities and designs
of every group or organization, polit-
ical or otherwise, that has for its
object the advancement of the inter-
est of a foreign power, whether such
object is promoted by intimidating
the government, political party or
representatives of the people or
which is calculated and tends to di-
vide our people into antagonistic
groups and thus destroy that COM
plete agreement and solidarity of
the people and that unity of senti-
ment and national purpose so essen
tial to the perpetuity of the nation
and it's free institutions.
We condemn all alliances and
combinations of individuals in this
country of whatever nationality or
descent, who agree and conspire to-
gether for the purpose of embarras-
sing or weakening our government
or of improperly influencing or CO.
ercing our public representatives in
dealing with or negotiating with any
foreign power. We charge that such
conspiracies among a limited num-
Der exist and have been instigated
for the purpose of advancing the in
terests of foreign countries to the
prejudice and detriment of our own
country. We condemn any political
party which in view of the activity
of such conspiratOrs surrenders it's
intepritv Or modifieS itc po1icv