The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-09-15
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

1. ResolCed, That men of all parties rejoice
together in the return of peace which has
restored the integrity of the Federal Union
and indicated its power; and that it is the
policy of wisdom as well as duty for the AID
alton as win bring back the era of fraternA
feeling, and reunite the lately discordant States
in the bonds Of more perfect Union. 9.a.
2. Resolved, That while we deplOre thedeath
of our honored Chief Magistrate, taken of by
the hand of an assassin at moment untimely
and critical, we recognize with the highest sat
isfaction the attitude OF his successor in the
recognizes the sovereignty and ignores the su-
icide of States; that we pledge to his Admin
istration our cordial and united support 80 long
and 60 far as he adheres to the fundamental
and historic dogmas ofthe Government, which
in the past have been cardinal doctrines Of the
Democratic faith. - Il.
8. Resolved That the pronounced hostility of
the Republican press and leaders to President
JohnsOn's policy of reorganization, coupled as
il Is with the aVOwed determination to adopt
the revolutionary alternative of rejecting MEM
bers of Congress from the States lately in
rebellion, unless elected upon the basis of ne
gro suffrage, is not merely calculated to en-
barrass the advent of peace and the return of
friendly relations but is hostile to the leading
idea upon which the war has been fought
Justification of pledges subversive Of repub-
Ncan government and forebodes issues of an.
tagonism between races which threaten not
only to re-imperil the peace of the country
but to destroy the very people in whose behalf
1t processes to originate. IN.
i. Resolred That we accept with unfeigned
satisfaction the extinction Of slavery as an &C
complished result of the war and as an &C
knowledged condition of peece. ~
5. Resolved That the continued suspension OF
the writ of habeas corpus in States and Dis
tricts where civil courts exercise their func-
tons unobstructed; the arrest and trial of of.
tenders not in the naval or military service of
the United States, by military tribunals the
suppression of free discussion Of public mea
sures, as in Tennessee; the suppression of
newspapers, and the notification Of elections,
as in Virginia and the prevention Of free cleo.
tons, as in Kentucky. merit and will receive
the indignant denunciation of every patriotic
citizen Of the Republic. They are lawless in
vasions by arbitrary power upon rights sacred
to freemen, and " formidable to tyrants only"
WHEREAS, The national debt Is about three
thousand millions of dOllars-a sum equal to
about one quarter of all the taxable property
of the United States-and is drawing rate of
interest which has been proved to be ruinous.
AND WHEREAS, the evidences of this debt
mainly purchased with deprecated currency,
constitute at present the principal and are de-
signed ultimately to constitute the entire bank
ing capital Of the country-and are exempted
from taxation, thus exhonerating the major
portion Of the active capital Of the country
from sharingthe burthens imposed by the war
and imposing upon the lands and the labor Of
the people, burthens which must result in prac-
teal reputation, therefore,
6. Resolved, That the only escape consistent
with justice, lies in policy which proposes to
absorb outstanding bonds by new issues bear
ing less rate Of interest, subject to taxation
and secured by pledge of the entire revenues
of the government except 30 far as they may
be needed to defray its current expenses.
England and France established the wisdom
| and necessity of such policy, and furnished
precedents in the light Of which creditors of
| the government have purchased its securities.
z. Resolved, That sound economy recon-
mends that each State should be assigned Its
several proportion of the public debt for col
| lection, to the end that the people may be re-
lieved from the payment of an army OF nation
| al tax-gatherers, the expense OF which enor-
| nous "peace establishment it is estimated
will about equal the entire present indebted
ness before the period expires for its extinguish
ment
s. Resolved, That Congress has not the
power to exempt from taxation by the States
for State objects the revenues Of their citizens,
| and we therefore recommend that the next Le-
gislature provide for the taxation of incomes
| derived from national bOnds in such manner as
9. Resolred, That the Democracy adhere to
their ancient principle of legislation. expressed
by the maxim 1.-The greatest good to the
! greatest number" We are, therefore, opposed
to protective tariff, the operation of which
will build up monopolies In the East at the
expense of the farms and industry of the
| West. r.,s .ors s,e
10. Resolved, That We are opposed to any I'M.
| ion of church and state as contemplated BY the
ruling pulpit element ofthe Republican party,
| and in favor of the largest liberty Of con-
science o. declared in the Constitution of the
nj. Resolved. That the encroachments of Eu-
ropean Powers upon American nationalities,
should te guarded against and opposed by such
| force - may be needed, and that we pledge our
| SUPPORT to the application and enforcement of
| the Monroe doctrine to the present condition
Of the Mexican Republic. 60
| II. Resolved, That we are opposed to con-
ferring the elective franchise upon the negroes
| of this State that the immediate enfranchise-
ment of this enervated and ignorant
race would introduce into our system
an element of disaffection, danger and corrup-
tion-would be productive of injury to the
blacks themselves; would disturb our system
of labor-our social organization and make the
State of Minnesota place of refuge for the
scum of Southern Slavery.
Is. Resolved, That we are opposed to tho
contemplated location of Indians upon our
frontier; that the blood of those who have
been butchered, the losses of those who have
been marauded upon, the security of our bor-
der, the good name and prosperity of our
State, demand enlightened councils and vigor-
Gus action.
IA. Resolved, That should Congress neglect
to provide early in its next session q home for
disabled soldiers, it is the duty of our legisla-
ture 70 adopt speedy and efficient measures to
repay in suitable and ample manner the debt
which Minnesota owes to the glorious men
whose wounds are badges of heroic sacrifice for
the integrity of the Union and the honor of the
State.
Is. Resolved, That we consecrase to perpetual
gratitude the soldiers OF Minnesota who have
returned from the field of their fame that to
the ''dead who live" the State will erect a
monument which shall fifty memorable the
gratitude of our State and the glory of her
Sons