Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-08-01
THE PLATFORM.

u u
The Democratic party, in National Conven-
ton assembled reposing its trust in the intelli :
pence patriotism and discrimin ating justice OF
the people: standing upon the Copstitution as
the foundation and Limitation OF the powers. 81
the Government. and the guarantee OF the lib
critics of the citizen and recognizing the ques-
tions Of slavery and secession as having been
settled for all time TO come by the war or the
voluntary action of the Southern states IN
Constitutional Conventions assembled. and
never to 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-
ton and civil government Of the American
people.
the regulation Of the elective franchise in the
States by. their citizens, and the payment Of the
public debt of the United States as rapidly as
practicable.
8. All money Drawn from the people BY tax
alton. except SO much as is requisite for the ne
cessities of the Government, economically ad-
m;nistered, should be honestly applied to such
payment, and where the obligations Of the Gov
ernment do not EXPIRE. .sly state upon their face,
or the law under which they were. issued does
not provide that theysha be paid in ce,n. ON they
ought, in right and justice, be paid in the law
full money Of the United States.
4. Equal taxation Of every species OF property
according to its real value: including Govern
ment bonds, and other public securities.
u
people, the laborer and the. ofllceholder, the
pensioner and the soldier. the producer and
the bondholder.
6. Economy in tho administration of the
Government; the reduction of the standing
army and navy; the abolishment of the freed
mems bureau, and all political instrumental
tiles designed to ecure negro supremacy; SIM
plification of the system aud the dis continuance
of inquisitorial boards for assessing. and coll
Letting internal revenue, so that tho burden OF
taxation may be equaliged and lessened; the
credit of the Government and the currency
made good the repeal of all enactments for
in time of peace ; tariff for revenue upon
foreign imports, and such equal taxation under
the internal revenue laws as will afford Incl
dental prntectl9n 70 aomesi,c abbnursCeures' b
impose the least burden upon and best promote
and encourage the great Industrial interests OF
the country.
the expulsion Of corrupt men fron Offices the
abroRation of useless Offices. the restoration OF
rightful authority to, and the independence of
the Executive and Judicial departments Of the
Government, the subordination of the military
to the civil power to the end that the usurpa-
tions of Congress and tho despotism of the
sword may cease.
s. Equal rights and protection for natural;
lied and native-born citizens at home and
abroad an assertion Of American nationality,
which shall command the respect Of foreiEn
powers. .and furnish an example and encourage
ment to people struggling Tor national integ,
rity, constitutional liberty and. individual
rights, and the maintenance of the rights OF
naturalzed citizens against the absolute doc
trine of immutable allegiance. and the claims
Of foreign powers to punish them tor alleged
In demanding these measures and reforms
we arraign the Radical party 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 ex-
cusively fer the maintenance of the govern
ment and the preservation OF the Union under
the Constitution.
thas repeatedly violated that most sacred
pledge under which was rallied that noble vol
unteer army. which carried our flag to victory.
Instead of restoring the Union. it has. SO far
as in its power. dissolved it, and subjected ten
States in time of peace to military despotism
II has nulifed there the right OF trial by jury.
II hss abolished the habeas corpus, that
most sacred writ Of liberty.
II has overthrown the freedom OF speech and
the press.
arrests. and military trials and secret Star
Chamber inquisitions' for constitutional tri-
Il has disregarded in time Of peace the. right
of the people to be free from search and seiz-
ures.
and even the private rooms Of individuals,
and seized their private papers and letters,
without any specification OF notice oil afhdavit,
as required by the organic law.
bastile.
cial espionage to which no constitutional moh-
aTchy Of Europe would now dare 70 resort.
portant constitutional questions 70 the su-
IRENE judiciary tribunal, and threatens 10
curtail or destroy its original turlsdiction,
which Is irrevocably vested by the Consutu
ton. while the learn,d Chief Justice has been
subjected TO the most atrociOus calumnies,
merely because he would not prostitute MS
high Office TO the support Of the false ane par
tisan charges preferred against the President.
It's corruption and oxtravagance have ex-
cecded anything known in history. and by its
frauds and monopolies IL has nearly doubled
the burden Of debt created during the war.
Il has stripped the President Of his constitu-
tional power Of appointment, even Of bis own
cabinet.
Under its repeated assaults the pillars Of the
Government are rocking on their base, and
should Il succeed in November next and inau-
rurale its President We will meet as a subject
and conquered people amid the ruins Of lib
erty and the scattered fragments OF the Constr
tuition and We de declare and resolve that
ever since the people Of the United States
threw Of all suhjection q the British Crown
the privilege and trust OF sufrage have be-
longsd 70 the several States. ana have been
rranisd. regulated. and controlled exclusively
~ the political power q each State respect
lively, and any attempt By Congress, on any
nretext v hatcyer, 70 DEPRIVE any state oi tnis
right. or interfere with this exercise. = ha-
rrant usurpation Of power which can tnd no
warrant in the Constitution. and. II sanctioned
hy the people. viii Eubvert our form OF gov
erument. and can only end In a single central-
ired. consolidated Rovcrrmeuf. IN which the
1ruarnte existence of the Siaics will be entirely
shrorbci. and an unqualified dcETotitm be
established in place Of FEDERAL Union oi
equal States
That We rseard the roconstructicc acts of
Conrress, to-called, hs Iulurpationf, unconfti-