Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-08-22
THE PLATFORM.

Tho DemOcraLiC paTtys III NutiOuul OOuV6u-
tion assembled, reposing its trust in the intelli
gence. patriotism and discriminating justice OF
the people: standing upon the Constitution as
the foundation and limitation OF the powers sf
critics Of the citizen and recognising the ques-
tions Of ,lavery and secession as having been
settled for all time 70 come by the war or the
voluntary action of the Southern States IN
never 10 be renewed or reagitated /; do, with the
return Of peace, demand,
/. Immediate restoration Of all the States to
their RIGHTS in the Union under the Constitu-
tion and civil government OF the American
?. Amnesty for all past political offenses, and
the regul alton Of the elective franchise in the
States By their citizens, and the payment 81 the
g. All money Drawn from the people by tax
alton. except so much as is requisite for the ne
m;nistered, should be honestly applied to such
payment, and where the obligations of the Gov
ernment do not expre sly state upon their face,
or the law under which they were issued does
ought. in rig and justice, be paid in the law
full money of the United States. 81 -r. =
A. Equal taxation fevery species Of property
according to its real value; including Govern
s. One currency for the Government and the
people, tho laborer and the officeholder, the
pensioner and the soldier. the producer and
ba Oh
'n g Econony in the administration Of the
Government; the reduction Of the standing
army and navy: the aboishment of the freed
mems bureau, and all political Instrumental
tiles designed to secure negro supremacy sim.
of inquisitorial boards for assessing. and COL
lecting internal revenue, so that the burden of
taxation may be equalized and lossened the
made good the repeal Of al enactments for
enrolling the State militia into National forces
IN time of peace q tarif for revenue upon
foreign imports. and such equal taxation under
| the inter nal revenue laws as will AFFORD. incl
dental protection to domestic manufacturer,
and as will, without impairing the revenue,
impose the least burden upon and best promote
and encourage the great industrial interests OF
!. Reform of abuses in the Adminis stratiop,
the expulsion of errupt men from Offices, the
abroeation of useless Offices the restoration of
riehtful authority to, and the independenceo Of
Gov vernment. the subordination of the military
to the civil power to the end that the usurpa-
tions of Congress and the despotism OF the
sword may cease. ry.
8. Equal rights and protection for natural:
ized and native-born citizens at home and
abr ad; an assertion of American nationality,
which shall command the respect OF foreiin
powers and furnish an example and encourage
ment to people struggling for national integ--
rity. constitutional liberty and indi. idual
riRhts, and the maintenance of the rights of
naturalized citizens against the absolute 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 arraign the Radical party for its disregard
| tyranny which have marked its career, after
the most solemn and unanimous pledge OF both
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 vo-
unteer armv. which carried our flag to victory.
Instead of restoring the Union, il bas. 50 far
as in its power. dissolved 1t. and subjected ten
States In time Of peace to military despotism
| and negro supremacy.
IL he's abolished the habeas corpus, that
| most sacred writ Of liberty.
II has overthrown the freedom Of speech and
II has substituted arbitrary seizures and
arrests. and military trials and secret Star
| Chamber inquisitions, fer constitutional tn
| bunals.
| of the people 10 be free from search and seiz-
II has entered the post and telegraph Offices,
| and even. the private rooms OF lndiylauals'
| and seized their private papers and letters
without any specification or notice Of affidavit,
| as required by the organic law.
1t has converted the American capitol into
bastile.
| ciai espionage 10 which no constitutional moh-
| archy Of Europe would now dare 10 resort. 4.
It has abolished the right Of appeal on i'm
| portant constitutional questions 70 tne su-
preme judiciary tribunal. and threatens 70
| curtail or destroy its original lurisdiction,
| which is irrevocably vested by the Constitu-
ton. while the learned Chief Justice has been
| subjected to the most atrocious calumniee,
merely because he would not prostitute his
high office to the support Of the false ane par
tisan charges preferred AGAINST the presidents
Its corruption and sxtravagance haye ex-
| ceeded- anything known IN history. an oy Us
| frauds and monopolies Il has nearly doubled
| the burden OF debt created during the war.
II has stripped ths President Of his constitu-
tional power Of app ointment. even Of his own
Under its repeated assaults the pilIars Of the
| Government are rocking on their bare, and
should II succeed in November next and inau-
/ furate It's President we Will meat a. . subject
and conquered people amid the runs Of lib
i erty and the scattered fragments Of the Confti-
/ tuition; and We do declare and resolve that
rsw 'infI o ali io subieSsien 70 he Brit.h Crown
i the privileee and trust OF sufrags have. be-
longed 10 the several States. and have been
/ rrsnIed. regulated, and controlled exclusively
/ lively. and any attempt By Congress. on any
Il pretsrt uhatsser. TO deprive any STATE 81 this
/ right, or interfere with this exercise. is . IA
Ssrrs,t in he Corsiitution. ard. II ssnctioped
/ hy the people. win suhtert our form Of soy
| eminent, and can only end In = Einele certr.l-
ised. consolidsted soycInmsnt. IN Shieh he
absorbed. and IN unqualifed. degretism Be
sstahlished In place Of feaern Union q
~ Ma We r,srard the reconsttueti.a acts of
ccnsrssn. so-callsd. a. fuEsrpatibns. unconSti-
1 fufionnl reyolutiouary ard yuld, ard hat our
soldier and sailors Who carried The sae II our
counu4 " 'ls.e's - -, -. y. ~ -