The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-06-16
Democratic Platform
Following the text, in part of the platform adopted day at St. the Democratic National convention

OCFdI1C NaGlOndl COnVonuOn: play in the new days of international relationships which is now upon us will depend upon our preparation and our ] character. The Democratic party therefore recognized the assertion and 1 triumphant demonstration of the in- ; adv1sab1lity and coherent strength of the nation as the supreme issue of this day in which the whole world faces | the crisis of manifold changes. It summons all men of whatever origin | or creed, who would count themselves Americans to join in making clear to all the world the unity and consequent 1 power Of America.
 This is an iss euof patriotism. To l taint it with partisanship would be to defi1e it. In this day of test, Ameri- ca must show itself not a nation of l partisans but nation of patriots. l There is gathered here in America the I best of the blood, the industry and the genius of the whole world, the ele- ment of a great race and magnificent society to be melted into a mighty i and splendid nation.
 | Whoever, actuated by the purpose to promote the interest of a foreign power in disregard to our own coun- I try's welfare or to injure this govern ment in it's foreign relations or cripple or destroy its industries at home and whoever by arousing. prejudices of a racial religious or other nature creates discord and strife among our people so as to obstruct the wholesome pro- cess of unification, is faithless to the trust which the privileges of citizen ship repose in him and disIoyaI to his country.
 i've of this nations unity and integ- r1ty and as destructive of the welfare, the activities and designs of every group or organization, political or otherwise, that has for it's object the advancement of the interest of a for eign power, whether such object is promoted by intimidating the govern ment, a political party or representa- tives of the people or which is cal culated and tends to divide our peo- pie into antagonistic groups and thus to destroy that complete agreement and solfdity for the people and that unity of sentiment and national pur- pose so essential to the perpity of the nation and it's free institutions.
 We condemn all alliances and com binations of individuals in this coun- try of whatever nationality or descent who agree and conspire together for the purpose of embarrassing or weak enfng our government or of improper ly influencing with any foreign power. We charge that such conspiracies among a limited number exist and have been instigated for advancing the interests of foreign countries to the prejudice and detriment of our own country. We condemn any po- litica1 party which in view of the ac- tivity of such conspirators surrenders its integrity or modif1es it's policy.
 Preparedness.
 Along with the proof of our char acter as a nation must go the proof of our power to play the part that 1egitfmate1y belongs to us. The peo- pie of the United States love peace They respect the rights and covet the friendship of all other nations They desire neither any additional terri tory nor any advantage which cannot be peacefully gained by their skill, their industry or their enterprise; but they insist upon having absolute free dom of national life and policy and feel that they owe it to themselves and to the role of spirited independ- ence which it is their sole ambition to play that they should render them selves secure against the hazard of interference from any quarter and should be able to protect their rights upon the seas or in any part of the world. We, therefore, favor the maintenance of an army fully ade- quate to the requirements of order, of safey and of the protection of the na- tion's rights, the fullest development of modern methods of a coast de- fense and the maintenance of an ade- quate reserve of citizens trained to arms and prepared to safeguard the people and territory of the United States. against any danger of hostile action which may unexpectedly arise, and a fixed policy for the continuous development of navy worthy to sup port the great naval traditions of the United States and fully equal to the international tasks which the United Sites hoped and expects to take part in performing. The plans and enactments of the present Congress afford substantial proof of our pur- pose in this exigent matter.
 International Relations
 The Democratic administration has through out the present war scrupu- lously and successfully held to the old paths of neutrality and of the peaceful pursuit of the legitimate objects of our national life, which statesmen of all parties and creeds have prescribed for themselves in America sinre the beginning of our history. But the circumstances of the last two years have revealed necessities of interna- tional action which no former genera ton can have foreseen. We hold that it is tht duty of the United States it's power not only to make itself safe at home but also to make secure its just interests throughout the world and both for this end and in the 1n- terest of humanity to assist the world in securing settled peace and justice. We believe that every people has the right to choose the sovereignty under (Continued on page A