Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1916-01-25

SnOulQ cOnITOi ROVerHineul III liiC O"it-
ed States for this great people to hold
another people in subsection. From
the beginning the Democratic Party
has set its face against that idea, and
it stands there today, and in its plat
form of 1912. which now ask unani-
nous consent to insert in the Record
as a part of my remarks, it sets forth
exactly the position of the Democratic
Parry to-day.
The Presiding Officer. Without OBJ.
lection, the request of the Senator
from West Virginia to print in the
Record the matter referred to will be
granted.
The section of the Democratic plat
form of 1912 referre to is as follows:
THE PHILIPPINES.
We reaffirm the position thrice an
nounced by the Democracy in national
convention assembled against a policy
of Imperialism and colonial exploitation
in the Philippines or elsewhere. We
condemn the experiment in Imperialism
40 al ibCACuSdDlC Which, Ids
involved us in enormous expenses,
brought us weakness instead of strength
and laid our Nation open to the charge
of abandonment of the fundamental
doctrine of self-government. We favor
an immediate declaration of the Ma
tons purpose to recognize the indie
pendence of the Philippine Islands as
soon as stable government can be es
tablished, such independence to BIS
guaranteed by US until the peutraliza-
ton of the islands can be secured by
treaty with other powers.
In recognizing the independence of
of the Philippines our Government
should retain such land as may he nee
essary for coaling stations and naval
bases,
Mr.. Chiffon. That means that we
will promise the Philippine people def
nitely. as part of the plan of this
Government in dealing with them that
they shall have independence and a
government of their own, free from
the control of the people of the United
States; that we will give them the
blessings of free government, which
we fought for and obtained.
MIR. Lippitt. Mr. President
Mr.. Chiffon. One moment. Some
thing has been said about the glorious
record of the people of the United States
in the Philippines. l agree with the
statements which have been made to
that effect. 1t is glorious record,
a splendid one. We will read it with
pride in the future The part that the
Republican Party has taken in 1T / con-
cede. The part that the people of the
United States as whole have taken 1
concede, with patriotic pride. We are
all proud of it; but the best is yet to
come; the proudest part is yet to be.
There is nothing that we haye done
that will ever shine so brightly as the
final act when we, as free people, say
to the Filipinos, go and work out
your own salvation, free and untram-
meled by any foreign government on
earth. " The Democratic Party is now
fastening to that contamination.
Mr.. Lippitt. Mr.. President, before
the Senator takes his seat
The Presiding Officer. Does the
Senator from West Vieginia yield to
the Senator from Rhode Island
Mr.. Chiffon. Yes.
Mr.. Lippitt. The Senator says that
the policy of the Democratic Party on
this question is to promise the Filipino
people their independence.
Mr.. Chiffon. And to give it to them;
yes sir.
Mr.. Lippitt. What the Senator said
was that it was the policy of the Dem
ocratic Party to promise it.
Mr.. Chiffon. There is no need of the
Senator and myself banyding words. l
stand on that platform. l have made
the plank concerning the Philippines a
part of my remarks. 1t was definite
pro mise to them to give them indepen-
dence as soon as stable government
could be had, and. as | construe it, not
an indefinite promise to depend upon
our Will, caprice, or pleasure. AS |
read the platform, we propose to put it
down definitely that they are to have
it at fixed time. That is the Demo-
cratic position, and am going to vote
for 1t.