Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1868-07-14
The Democratic Platform Phase
of Copperheadism.


Times, with the "applauses" as there
in asserted:
The Democratic party, in Nations
al Convention ASSEMBLED, reposing its
trust in the intelligence, patriotism
and discriminating justice of the peo>
pie, stands upon the Constitution as
the foundation and limitation of the
power of the government, and the
guarantees of the liberties of the
citizen and recognizing the ques-
tions OF slavery and secession as hav-
ing been settled for all time to come
by the war, or the voluntary action
of the Southern States in constitu-
tional conventions assembled, and
never to be renewed or reagitated.
do, with the return of peace, demand ::
l. The immediate restoration of
all the States to their rights in the
Union under the Constitution of civ-
il government, and the American
people.
2. Amnesty for all past political
offenses, and the regulation OF the
elective franchise in the States by the
citizens.
2. The payment of the public
debt of the United States as rapidly
as practicable,-all money drawn
from the people by taxation, except
so much as is requisite tor the neces~
sites of the government, economical
ly administered, being honestly app
piled to such payment,-and, when
the obligations Of the government do
not expressly state upon their face,
or the law under which they were
issued does not provide, that they
shall be paid IN coin, they ought, in
right and in justice, TO be paid in the
lawful money of the United States.
[ Applause.l
4. Equal taxation of property ac>
cording to it's value, including gov>
eminent bonds and other public Sc
curities. [Renewed cheering, cries of
"Read it again.
5. One currency for the govern
ment and the people,-the laborer
and the office holder, the pensioner
and the soldier, theproducer and bond
holder. [Cheers, cries of Read it
again"
6. Economy in the administra-
ton of the government the reduce
ton of the standing army and navy;
the abolition of the freedmen's bu>
reau [great cheers, and all political
instrumcntalities designed to show
negro supremacy simplifcation of
the system and discontinuance of
the inquisitorial modes of assessing
and collecting internal revenue, that
the burden of taxation be equalized
and lessened, and the credit Of the
currency made good; the repeal of
all enactments for the enrolling of
state militia into the national forces
in time of peace and a tariff for rev.
enue upon foreign imports, and such
equal taxation under the internal
revenue laws. as will afford inciden-
tai protection to domestic manufac
lures, and will, without impairin g
the revenue, impose the least burden
upon and best promote and encour-
age, the great industrial interests of
the country.
Z. A reform of the abuses of the
administration the expulsion Of COR
| rupt men from office; the abroga-
ton of useless offices; the restoration
of rightful authority to and the in
dependence of the executive and iu-
dicial departments of the govern
ment the subordination Of the mill
tary to the civil power, 20 the end
that the usurpation of Congress and
the despotism of the sword may
cease.
s. Equal rights and protection for
naturalized and native born citizens,
at home and abroad; the assertion of
American nationality, which will
command the respect Of foreign pow.
ers, and furnish an example and en-
couragement to people struggling for
national integrity, constitutional lib
erty, and individual rights, and the
maintenance Of the rights of natural
lied citizens against the absolute
doctrine of immutable allegiance,
and the claims of foreign powers to
punish them for alleged crime com,
mitted beyond their jurisdiction
[Applause.]
In demanding these measures and
reforms we arraign the Radical par
ty for its disregard of right, and the
unparalleled oppression and tyranny
which have marked its career. After
the most solemn and unanimous
pledge of both houses of Congress to
prosecute the war exclusively for the
maintenance of the government and
preservation Of the Union, under the
constitution it has repeatedly violat-
ed that sacred pledge, under which
was rallied that noble volunteer ar,
my which carried our flag to victory,
Instead of restoring the Union, it has
so far as it is in its power, dissolved
it, and subjected ten States in time
of profound peace, to military des>
potism and negro supremacy it has
nullifed there the right of trial by
jury it has abolished the habeas cor
pus-that n ost sacred writ of liberty:
it has overthrown the freedom of
speech and the press it has substi-
tuted arbitrary seizures, and militia
ry trials, and secret starchamber in
QUESTIONS for constitutional tribu-
nails it has disregarded, in time of
peace, the right of the people to be
free from search and seizures it has
entered the post and telegraph off
ces, and even the private rooms ofin-
dividuais, and seized their private
papers and letters without any spec>
ification or notice of affidavit a., re-
CURED by the organic law; it has
converted the American capitol into
a bastile it has established a system
of spies and official espionage to
which no constitutional monarchy of
Europe would now dare to resort; it
has abolished the right of appeal on
important constitutional questions TO
the supreme judicial tribunals, and
threatens to curtail or destroy it's
original Jurisdiction, which is irrevo