Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 August 1900 — SPEECH OF MR. STEVENSON [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SPEECH OF MR. STEVENSON

Accept! ns the democratic Nomination ior Vice President. Hon. Adlai E. Stevenson, in his speech at Indianapolis accepting the Democratic nomination for Vice President, said iu part: 1 am profoundly grateful for the honor conferred upon me by my selection by the national Democratic convention as its candidate for the high office of Vice President of the United States. For the complimentary manner iu which such action has been officially made known to me I express to you, Mr. Chairman, ,and to your honored associates of the committee, my sincere thanks. Deeply impressed with a sense of the responsibility assumed by sueh candidacy, I’ accept the nomination so generously tendered me. Should the action of the convention meet the approval of the people in November, jt will be my earnest endeavor to discharge with fidelity the duties of the great office. It is wisely provided in the constitution that at stated times political power shall return to the hands of the people. The struggle for political supremacy, upon which we are uow entering, is one of deep moment to the American tteople. Its su-

preme importance to all conditions of our countrymen cannot be jneasured by words. The ills resulting from unjust legislation and from unwise administration of the government must find their remedy in the ail-potent ballot. To it we now make our solemn appeal. Lhe chief purpose of tbe great convention whose representatives are before me was redress for existing wrongs and security against perils yet . greater which menace popu’ar government. Your convention, in language clear and unmistakable, has presented the' vital issues upon which the pending contest is to be determined, Ivr its-platform- 1 give mv earnest assent. After referringj.o the platform declarations on trusts, tariffs. Congressional extravagance, etc.. Mr. Stevenson says: A question is yet to be discussed, to which all of these are of secondary importance. It is solemnly ' declared by our platform to be the paramount issue. Questions of domestic policy, however important, may be, but questions of the hour—that of imperialism— J* for time. In the presence, of this stupendous issue. others seem but ns the dust In the balance. In no sense paltering with words. It is the supreme question of republic or empire. Upon every phase of cur foreign policy. The language of the Democratic platform Is too dear io admit of misconstruction. It favors trade expansion bv all peaceful and lawful means. We believe that liberty, as well as tbe Constitution, follows the flag. Democrats In common wirti many Republicans, oppose the Porto Rican law as a violation of tbe Constitution, and a flagrant breath of good faith toward a dep fident people. It is Imposing government without (he consent of the governed. It Is In conflict with that provision of the Constitution which declares that "Duties, Imports and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States.” Deplores Spirit of Empire. The Democratic platform condemns the policy pursued by the present administration toward the Philippine Islands. This policy inspired by the greqdy spirit of commercialism—has eubrolled niir government in an unnecessary war. sacrificed valuable lives, and placed tile American republic in deadly antagonism io our farmer aides In their efforts to secure their liberties. For the first time In our history we are boldly confronted with the question of "Imperialism—the spirit of empire." This Is? indeed, the supreme question to which all others are of secondary Importance. The Democratic party has ever been the advocate of wise territorial expansion, it was In control of the government during forty years of the first half of the present century. During that period new States were admitted Into the Federal Union, and bur Western border extended beyond the Mississippi. Out of the Louisiana country—acquired under the first Democratic administration—have been carved fourteen magnificent States. Under a later Democratic administration-ami as the result of the treaty which terminated our war with Mexico—we acquired California and nelghlmring States and Territories, thus bringing under our flag, to remain forever, the vast expanse stretching to tbe Pacific. The policy of aggressive eipatislon—of subjugation of distant Islands pursued bv the f (resent administration, finds no precedent n the peaceable cession of tbe Louisiana country by Napoleon, that of Florida by Spain, nor Hint yet Inter, of the vast Western area bj Mexico. The territory acquired under Democratic administrations was, with favorable climatic conditions, the fit abode for men of our own race. At the time of annexation 't passed under the rule of the Anglo-Saxon, who carried with him our language and our laws, it was territory contiguous to our own, and acquired with the declared Intention—when conditions and population would Justify—of carving it Into states. The result: Millions of American homes, our national wealth Increased beyond the dream of avarice, and the United States chief among the nations of Mie earth. Can it be that the new policy t>f forcible annexation of distant islands finds precedent In the historic events 1 have mentioned? The answer Is found In the bare statement of facts. The territory acquired under Democratic administrations Is contiguous the Philippine Inlands s.txk) .miles distant. The acquisition of territory upon our own continent added little to the national expense—to maintain permanent sovereignty over the distant Islands necessitates Immense expenditures upon our army and navy. More than that. It contemplates methods of administration that pertain, not to the republic, but to the empire. Cun It be doubled that the attempt to stifle lhe spirit of illserty abroad will imperil popular government at home? We stand 100 years from the hour when the political force* were gathering which were to result in the election of the first Democratic President. The anniversary of the masterful day In our history was wisely chosen for the assembling In convention of the representatives of tbe historic party whose founder was Jefferson—and whose platform Is the Declaration of Independence. An the great straggle now upon us we Invoke the co-operation of nil who revere the memory of our fathers, and to whom this declaration la not unmeaning parchment—but the enduring chart of our liberties. Upon tha supreme Issue now In the forefront-and to the end that republican government he perpetuated—we appeal to the sober Judgment und patriotism of tbe American people.

HON. ADLAI E. STEVENSON.