Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-07-27
THE PLATFORM.

The Democratic party. in National Conven-
ton assembled. reposing its trust In the intelli
eence, patriotism and discrimin sting justice Of
the people: standing upon the Constitution as
the foundation and limitation Of the powers q
| the Government, and the guarantee of the lib
critics Of the citizen and recognizing the ques'
tions Of slavery and secession as having beer
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 Il
their rights in the Union under the Constitu-
tion 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.
s. 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 expressly. state upon their face,
not provide that they shall be paid in coin. they
ought in right and Justice. be paid in the law
ful money Of the United States.
4. Equal taxation of every species ofproperty
according to its real value, including Govern
ment bonds. and other public securities.
5. One currency for the Government and the
people, the laborer and the ofliceholder, the
pensioner and the soldier. the producer and
the bondh0lder.
6. Economy in the administration of the
Government; the reduction of the standing
army and navy; the abolishment of the freed
mems bureau, and all political Instrumental
plifcation of the system and the discontnuance
of inquisitorial boards for assessing and COL
lecting internal revenue, so that the burden of
taxation may be equaized and lessened the
credit of the Government and the currency
made good; the repeal of all enactments for
enrolling the State militia into National forces
in time of peace !. n tariff for revenue upon
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
the country.
Z. Reform of abuses in the Administration,
the expulsion of corrupt men from Offices. the
abroeation 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 the despotism of the
sword may cease.
lied and native-born citizens at home and
abroad an assertion of American nationality,
which shall command the respect Of foreizn
powers and furnish an example and encourage
ment to people struggling for national integ-
rity. constitutional liberty and individual
rights, 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
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-
clusively for the maintenance. Of the govern
ment and the preservation ofthe Union under
Ithas 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. IL has, So far
as in its power. dissolved it, and subjected ten
States In time of peace TO military despotism
and negro supremacy.
1t has nulifed there the right Of trial jury.
1t has abolished the habeas corpus. that
most sacred writ of liberty.
1t has overthrown the freedom of speech and
the press.
arrests. and military trials and secret Star
Chamber inquisitions, fer constitutional tri-
II 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 or notice OF afhdavu,
required by the organic ldNs
1t has converted the American capitol into a
bastie.
cial espionage to which no constitutional moH-
archy Of Europe would now dare to resort.
II 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 lurisdicuon,
which is irrevocably yeeteu by the Consutu-
ton. while the learned Chief Justice has been
subjected TO the most atrocious calumnles,
merely because he would not prostitute ms
high Office TO the support Of the false and par
tisan charges preferred against the President.
Its corruption and extravagance have ex-
ceedsd anything known in history. and BY rs
frauds and monop0lies IL has nearly doubled
the burden Of debt created during the war.
II has stripped the President OF his constitu-
ti0nsl power Of app ointment, even Of his own
cabinet.
Government are rocking on their base, and
should il succeed in November next and inau-
rurate lis President we viii NEE. 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 sahjcction % the British Grown
the privilege and trust Of suffrage have be-
ionged TO the several States, and have been
81 the political power q each State respect
lively, and any attempt By Congress, on Any
rretext whatcver. 10 deprive any state Of this
right. or interfere with this exercise. is ta-
erant usurpauon Of rower which can hnd no
warrant in the Constitution. and. II sanctioned
b. the people. viii subvert our f0ru Of Gov
erruent, and can only end In q finfIe cer rtral-
irei. consolidated royernmcnt, in which the
separate existC1ce % the Siaies vii be entirely
sstshiisbsi in place Of Feds1st Union of
g ~ sss W regard the recosssructca acts Of