Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-09-11
THE PLATFORM.


Tho Democratic party, in National Conven-
tion assembled. reposng its trust in the intelli
gence patriotism and discrimin atinp: justice OF
tRe foundation and limitation Of the powers sf
the Government. and the guarantee of the lib
critics of the citizen ;and recognizing the Ques-
tions Of slavery and secession as having been
voluntary action Of the Southern States in
Copstitutional Conventions Assem- bled. and
never TO be renewed or reagtated d o. with tho
return Of peaces demand. ,.
their rights In the Union under th Consti tu-
tion and civil government Of the American
2. Amnesty for all past pol itical offenses, and
States BY their citizens. and the payment Of the
public debt Of the United States as rapidly as
az n An An mo- money Z drawn from tho people by tag
ation except SO much as Is req aisite for the me-
cessties of the Government, economically ad-
m:nistered. should be honestly applied to such
payment, and whore the oblitsations Of the Gov
or tho law under which they were issued does
not provide that they shall be paid in coin. they
ought. in right and justice, b Q paid in the law
I. Fqual taxation Of every species of property
according to its real value including Govern
ment bonds, and other pub lie securities.
5. One currency for the Government and the
g.
pensioner and the soldier. the producer and
6. Economy in the. administration Of the
Government; the reduction Of the standing
army and navy; the anolishment of the freed
mems bureau. and all political Instrumental
tiles designed to secure negro supremacy ;,sim-
plification of the system and the di, continuance
Of inquisitorial boards for assessing, and col.
lectipg internal revenue, 20 that the burden OF
taxation may be equalized and lessened; the
credit of the Government and the currency
made good; the repenl of all snactments for
enrolling the State militia into National forces
foreign imports, and such equal taxation under
the internal revenue laws as will afford incl
dental protection to domestic manufactures,
and as will. without impairing the revenue,
impose the least burden upon and best promote
and encourage the great industrial interests OF
I. Reform of abuses in the Admins tratiop,
the expulsion Of terrupt men from Offices, the
abropation of useless Offices, the restoration Of
rightful authority to, and the independence of
the Executive and Judicial departments Of the
Government. the subcrdination Of the military
to the civil power to the end that the usurpa-
tions of Congress and the despotism of the
sword may cease. %
8. Equal rights and protection for natural:
abrc ad !, an assertion Of American ionality,
which shall command the respect Of forei IN
lowers, and furnish an example and encourage
ment to people struggling for patiena, integ;,
riahts.. and the maintenaace. Of the rights of
naturalized citizens against the obsolete doc
trine Of immutable allegiance. and the claims
of foreign powers to punish them for alleged
crime committed beyond their jurisdiction.
In demanding these measures and reforms
we arrairn the Radical party for its disregard
of rieht, and the unparalleled oppression and
tyranny which have marked its career, after
the most solemn and unanimous pledge Of beth
Houses Of Congress to prosecute the war ex-
clusively fer the maintenance OF the govern
ment and the preservation of the Union under
the Constitution.
II has repeatedly violated that most sacred
pledge under which was rallied that noble vol
unteer armv. which carried our fag to victory.
Instead of restoring the Union. 1t has. SO far
States In time of peace to military despotism
and negro supremacy.
II has nuIifed there the right of trial by jury.
It has ABOLISHED the habeas corpus. that
1t has overthrown the freedom OF speech and
Il has substituted arbitrary seizures and
srrests. and military trials and secret Star
Chamber inquisitions. for constitutional tri-
II has disregarded in time of peace the right
Of the people to be free from search and seiz-
ures. rf.r tT
1t has entered the post and telegraph offices,
and even the private rooms Of Individuals.
and seized their. private papers and letters,
without any specification OF notice OF AFFIDAVIT.
as required by the organic law.
1t has converted the American capitol into
q has established system of spies and off,
cial espionage to which no constitutional moR-
srchy Of Europe would now dare to resort.
Il has abolished the right Of appeal on i'm
portant constitutional questions to the su-
preme judiciary tribunal, and threatens to
curtail or destroy its original jurisdiction,
which Is irrevocably vested BY the ,Constitu-
ton, while the learned Chief Justice has been
subjected to the most ,atrocious calumnies.
merely SsGsus IS. he would not ISuss' a
tisan charges preferred against the President.
Its corruption and extravagance have ex-
ceeded anything known in history. and BY its
the burden Of debt created during the war.
II has stripped the President Of his consttu-
tcnal power Of app ointment. even Of his own
cabinet.
Under its repeated assaults the pillars Of the
Government are rocking on their base, and
should u succeed in November next and inau-
eurate its President we will meet as subject
erty r and The scattered fragments Of the Consti-
tuition; and We de declare and resolve that
ever since the people Of the United States
threw Of all suhlection 70 the British Crown
longed to the several States. and have been |
granIe ed. regulated. and controlled exclusively |
By the political power 81 each State respect |
prstert whatever. TO deprive any State Of this |
right or interfere with this exercise. is q ia |
franf usurpation Of power which can find no |
warrant IN the Constitution, and. " sanctioned |
by the people. will subyert our form Of gov |
eminent, and can only end In single ceptral- |
iEed. consolidated Eoyerpmentsin which the |
separate existence Of the States VII be entirely |
absorbed, and IN unqualified desrotiEm be /
established in place Of a Ieasral Union Of
equal States.
That We regard the recoastractltn acts Of
Connress. so-cnilcd. Is usurbanons. u1consti-
tufional. revolutionary and void, and that our
noldierr and sailors Who carried the hnk Of our i
country 10 victorF afainst q most ealiapt Ard
determined foe mast eFsr be grafefqliy 70
mcmberod, ard all the arantees given In
their favor nust Be fAithfHlly earned into ere
cufion.
That the public lands should Be distributed
widely amonE the PEOPLE. and should Be dis
posed 81 either under the rre-emplion or home
stead laws. and sold In reasonable quantitlee.
and 70 none but actual ocrupants nt the mini
mum Price - established ~ the Government
when grants of the public lantl nay Be al
lovsd, nsce...ry for The encoaraesuent OF i'm
portant public improvements, the pfoceedf Of