Mexico Missouri message., 1916-06-22

Following is the text of the Demo
cratic platform as reported from COM
mittee and adopted by the couveu-
ton:
The Democratic party in national con-
ventien assembled adopts the following
declaration, to the end that the people
OF the United States may both realize
the achievements wrought by four years
Of Democratic administration and be APP
prised Of the policies to which the party
is committed for tho further conduct Of
national affairs.
Record Of Achievement.
We indorse the administration of Wood
row Wilson. It seaks for itself. 1t il
the best exposition Of sound Democratic
policy at home and abroad.
We challenge comparison on our rec
ord, our keeping Of pledges and our con-
structive legislation, with those OF any
party Of any time.
We found our country hampered by
special privileges, q vicious tariff, obso-
rency. Our foreign affairs were domi-
mated by commercial interests for their
selfish ends. The Republican party, de-
spite repeated pledges, was impotent to
correct abuses which it had fostered. IN
der our administration, under a leader
ship which has never faltered, these
abuses have been corrected and our peo-
pie have been freed therefrom
Federal Reserve Act.
uOr archaic banking and currency sys-
TEN, prolific Of panic and disaster under
Republican administTationS-long the re-
fuge Of the Money Tr1lst-has been sup
fad l,,yf 81 kr,,o
democracy of credit under government
control, already proved a financial bull
wark in a world crisis, mobilizing our
resources, placing abundant credit at the
disposal OF legitimate industry and max
ing n currency panic impossible.
We have created a. federal trade COM
mission to accommodate the perplexing
questions arising under the antitrust
laws.
We have effected an adjustment of the
tariff, adequate for revenue under peace
conditions, and fair to the consumer and
to the producer
We have adjusted the burdens Of taxa
ton so that swollen incomes bear their
equitable shares. Our revenues have been
sufficient in time Of world stress and will
largely exceed the expenditures for the
current fiscal year.
We have lifted human labor from the
category OF commodities and have So
cured to the worlSingman the right OF
voluntary association for his protection
and welfare.
Parcel Post System.
We have advanced the parcel post to
genuine efficiency enlarged the postal
savings system, added 10, 900 rural de-
livery routes and extensions, thus reach
ing two and one-half millions additional
people.
Economic Freedom.
The reforms which were most obvI-
ously needed to clear away privilege, pro-
vent unfair dissemination and release the
energies of men Of all ranks and advan-
tages, have been effected by recent leg
islation. We must now remove, so far as
possible, every remaining element of un-
rest and uncertainty in the path of the
business men of America, and secure fol-
them continued period of quiet assured
and confident prosperity.
Tariff.
We reaffirm our belief in the doctrine
OF tariff for the purpose Of providing
sufficient revenue for the operation OF
the government economically admins
tered, and unreservedly indorse the I'm
derwood tariff law as truly exemplifying
that doctrine
We recognize that tariff rates are nee
essartly subject to change to meet GER
tain changing conditions in the worlds
production and trade. The events of the
last two years have brought about many
momentous changes. In some respects
their effects are yet conjectural and wait
TO be disclosed, particularly in regard to
our foreign trade. Two years of war
which has directly involved most of the
chief Industrial nations of the world, and
which has indirectly affected the life and
industry OF all nations, are bringing
about economic changes more varied and
far reaching than the world has ever be-
fore experienced.
In order to ascertain just what these
changes may be, the Democratic con-
gress Is providing for a nonpartisan tariff
commission, to make impartial and thor
ough study of every 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, OF
with regard to the changed and changing
conditions under which our trade Is car
ried on, We cordially indorse this timely
proposal. and declare ourselves in sym
pathy with the principle and purpose of
shaping legislation within that field in
accordance with clearly established facts
rather than in accordance with the de-
mands OF selfish interests. or upon infor-
nation provided largely II not exclu-
siyely, by them.
AmereanIsm.
That part that the United States will
play IN the new day of international re-
lationships which is now upon us win de-
pend upon our preparation and our char
-acter. The Democratic party therefore
recognize the assertsol and triumphant
demonstration of the indvlsibllity and
coherent strength Of the nation, as the
supreme issue OF this day in which the
whole world faces the crisis of manifold
change, Il summons all men of whatever
origin or creed. who would count them
selves Americans to join I'm making clear
power OF America.
This Is an issue of patriotism. To
faint II with partianship would be TO de,
ftle Il, In this day OF test, America musg