The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-07-04
DEMOCRATIC
PLATFORM

New York.-The following is the
text Of the Democratic platform as
adopted by the convention:
We, the representatives of the Demo-
cratic party in national convention as
sembled, pay our profound homage to the
memory of Woodrow Wilson. Our hearts
are filled with gratitude that American
democracy should have produced this
man, whose spirit and influence viii live
on through the ages; and that 1t was our
privilege to have co-operated with him in
the advancement Of ideals Of government
which will serve as an example and In
SEPARATION for this and future generations.
We affirm our abiding faith in those
ideals. and pledge ourselves to take up
the standard which he bore and to strive
for the full triumph Of the principles OF
democracy to which he dedicated his life.
Democratic Principles
The Democratic party believes in equal
rights to all and special privileges to
none. The Republican party holds that
special privileges are essential to national
prosperity. It believes that national pros
perity must originate with the special In
terests and seep down through the cham
nels OF trade to the less favored indus
tries, to the ge-earners and srnall-sal-
throned privilege and nurtured selfish
ness.
The Republican party is concerned
chiefly with material things: che Demo-
cratic party Is concerned chiefly with
human rights. The masses. burdened by
discriminating laws and unjust admins
tration, are demanding relief. The favor.
ed special interests, represented by the
Republican party, contented with their
unjust privileges, are demanding that no
change be made. The Democratic party
stands for remedial legislation and prog
ress. The Republican party stands still.
Comparison Of Parties
We urge the American people to COM
pare the record of eight unsuIlied years
Of Democratic administration with that of
the Republican Administration. In the
pledges were faithfully fulfilled, and
Democratic Congress enacted an extra
ordinary number of constructive and
remedial laws.
The economic life Of the nation was
quickened. Tariff taxes were reduced.
A Federal Trade Commission was Great
ed. A Federal farm loan system was es.
tablished. Child labor legislation was en-
acted. A good roads bill was passed.
Eight-hour laws were adopted. A SEQ
rotary of Labor was given a seat in the
Cabinet Of the President.
The Clayton amendment to the Sher-
man antitrust act was passed, freeing
American labor and taking II from the
category Of commodities. By the Smith
Lever bill Improvement Of agricultural
conditions was effected. A corrurt nrac
tees act was adopted. A well-considereo
warehouse act was passed. Federal en-
ployment bureaus were created. farm
loan banks were organized and the Fed
eral Reserve system was estaDlsneo.
Dele xryaa "A
lobby was driven from the national cap
ital.. A higher sense of individual and
national duty was aroused. America en-.
joyed an unprecedented period OF social
and material progress.
During the time which interviewed be-
tween the inauguration Of Democratic
Administration on March 4, 1918, and our
entrance into the World War, we placed
upon the statute books of our country
more effective, constructive and remedial
legislation than the Republican party had
placed there in generation.
During the great struggle which foi.
lowed we had leadership that carried
America to greater heights Of honor and
power and glory than she had ever known
before in her entire history.
Transition from this period Of exalted
Democratic leadership to the iordid rec
ord OF the last three and half years
makes the nation ashamed. 1t marks
of public service and an avid purpose to
distribute spoils
Republican lnefficlency and
Corruption 4
Never before in our history has the
government been SO tainted by corrup-
ton and never has an Administration SO
utterly failed. The nation has been ap.
palled by the revelations of political de-
pravity which have characterized the con-
duct Of public affairs.
We arraign the Republican party for
attempting to limit inquiry into official
delinquencies and to impede, If not to
Illustrate the Investigations to which in
the beginning the Republican party and
leaders assented, but which later they
regarded with disnnay.
These Investigations sent the former
Secretary of the Interior to Three Rivers
In disgrace and dishonor. These investi-
cations revealed the incapacity and in
difference to public obligations Of the
Secretary Of the Navy. compelling him by
force of public opinion, to quit the Cabi-
net. These Investigations confirmed the
general impression as to the unftness
of the Attorney General by exposing an
official situation and personal contacts
which shocked the conscience Of the ma
ton and compelled his dismissal from the
Cabinet.
These Investigations disclosed the ap-
palling conditions of the Veterans Blu
reau, with it's fraud upon the government,
and its cruel neglect OF the sick and dis
abled soldiers of the World War. These
Investigations revealed the criminal and
fraudulent nature of the oil leases, which
caused the Congress, despite the indiffer-
ence Of the Executive, to direct recovery
OF the public domain and the prosecution
of the criminal. ntaF
Such are the exigencies of partisan
politics that Republican leaders are
teaching the strange doctrine that pub
lie censure should be directed against
those who expose crime rather than
against criminals who have committed
the offenses. If only three Cabinet Of
hcers out of ten are disgraced the coun-
try is asked to marvel at how many are
free from faint.
Long boastful that 1t was the only party
''flt to govern" the Republican party has
proved its inability to govern even itself
1t is at war with itself. AS an agency
of government 1t has ceased to function
This nation cannot afford to intrust its
welfare to a political organization that
cannot master itself, or to an Executive
whose policies have been rejected by his
own party. To retain in power an admin
igtratiOn of this charactar mould A.,