The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1868-10-28
Democratic Platform.


| Neniion assembled, repOsing its trust in the
intelligence, patriotism, discrimination and
justice OF the people; standing upon the
Constitution Gs the foundation aifd limitation
Of the powers of the Government, and the
guaranteeing the liberties of the citizen, and
recognizing the questions of slavery and
secession rs 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 10 be re-
ncwed or rcagitatcd, do with the return of
peace, demand
First. The immediate restoration of all
the States to their rights in the Union under
the Constitution, and of civil government to
the American people.
Second. Amnesty for all past political Of
fences and the regulation of the elective
franchise in the States by their citizens.
Third. The payment of tho public debt
Of the United States rs soon rs practicable:
and that all moneys drawn from the people
by taxation, except so much rs is requisite
Tor the necessities of the Government eco
nomically administered, be honestly applied
10 such payment: and where 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. [Thundcrs of
applause.
Fourth. Equal taxation of every species of
property according to lis real value, inclu-
ding Government bonds and public sacuri-
ties Ilienewed cheering.
Fifth. One currency for the Government
and the people, the laborcr and the Office
holder, the pensioncr and the soldier, the
producer and the bondSoldcr. Great cheer
ing and cries Of "Read it again, The
I IN md
chcercd.
Sixth. Economy in the admin. stration Of
the Government, the reduction of the stand
ing army and navy, the abolition of the
Ere dmen's bureau Great chceringl and all
political instrumentalities designed TO secure
negro supremacy, simplitication of the sys-
TEN and discontinuance of the inquisitorial
modes of assessing and collecting the Inter
tnal Revenue so that the burden Of taxation
may be squalized aRd lessened, the credit of
the Government, and the currency made
good the repeal of all enactments for en-
rolling the State Militia into National forces
in time Of peace, and tariff for revenue up
on foreign imports, and such equal taxation
under the Internal Revenue laws as win af-
ford incidental protection TO domestic manu-
factures, and as will, without impairing the
revenues, impose the least burden upon, and
best promote and encourage the great indus
trial interests of the country.
Seventh. Reform of abuses in the admin
istration, the expulsion of corrupt men from
Office, the abrogation of useless offices, the
C restoration of rightful authority to, and the
indepcndence of the Executive and Judicial
Departments of the Government, the subor-
. dination of the military to the civil power !;
to this end, that the usurpations of Congress
and the despotism of the sword may cease.
Eighth. Equal rights and protection for
j. naturaliZed and native born citizens at home
and abroad, the assertion of American ma
tionallty, which shall command the respect
of foreign powers and furnish an example
and encouragement to people struggling for
national integrity, constitutional liberty and
r. individual rights, and the maintenance of
The rights of naturalized citizens against the
obsolete doctrine of immutable allegiance,
and the claims of foreign powers to punish
them for alleged crimes committed beyond
their jurisdiction. Applause.
In demanding these measures and reforms
r. we arragn the radical party for It's disregard
Of right and the unparalleled oppression and
=. granny which have marked IFS career. AT
Ter a most solemn and unanimous pledge of
both Houses Of Congress TO prosecute the
war exclusively for the maintenance Of the
e Government and the preservation Of the
Union under the Constitution, it has repeat
cdly violated the most sacred pledges under
which alone rallied that noble volunteer
Il army which carried our flag 10 victory; IN
stead of restoring The Union it has so far rs
in its power dissolved it and subjected ten
;. States in time of profound peace to military
dcspOtism and negro supremacy. 1t has null
lifted the right of trial by jury. It has abol-
ishcd the habcus corpus, that most sacred
Il writ of liberty. 1t has oyerthrown the free
dom of speech. 1t has substituted arbitrary
seizures and arrests, and military trials, and
secret Star Chamber inquiSitions for the con-
r stitutional tribunals. II has dIsrcgarlcd in
times OF peace, the right of the people to
,. be free from searches and seizures. 1t has
entered the telegraph offices, and even the
private rooms of individuals, and seized their
y private papers and letters without any spec
ifcation or notice of affidavit, as required
by the organic laws. 1t has converted the
a American Capitol into a bastilc. 1t has es-
If tablished a system of spies and official cspi,
n onagc to which no constitutional monarchy
: of Europe would dare now to resort. 1t has
Z abolished the right of appeals in important
n Constitutional questions to the supreme ju-
IS dcial tribunals, and threatens to curtail Ol
- destroy its original jurisdiction, which is ir
reyocably tested by the Constitution, while
~ the learned Chief Justice has been subjected
N to the most airocious calumnies merely be
TO cause he would not prostitute his high Office
10 the support OF lilC tillSc C!lt
= gcs preferred against the President.
u Its corruption and extravaganza have ex
il ceeded anything known in history, and b,
v, its frauds and monopolies it has nearly dOub
Ds led the burden of the debts created durin,
the war. 1t has stripped the President of hi
4S Constitutional power of appointment eve
rs of his own Cabinet. Under its repeated as
er sault5 the pillars of the Government are rock
re ing on their base, and should it succeed i
-, November next, and inaugurate its Presi
III dent, we will meet as subject and canQueI
ed people amid the ruins of liberty, and tn
scattered fragments of the Constitution.
And we do declare and resolve that eve
We since the people of the Unified States threl
o. off all subicction to the British Crown, tn
& privilege and trust of suffrage have belonge
~ TO the several States, and have been granted
lG regulated and controlled exclusively by III
.rs political power of each State respectively
Is. and that any attempt by Congress, on an
No pretext whatever, TO deprive any State
- this right, or interfere with its exercises
Gu 1agrant usurpation of power which can fin
ey no warrant in the Constitution, and if sant
ne toned by the people, will subvert our forl
-. Of Government, and can only end in sill
gle, centralized and consolidated Cover
p ment, In which the sepcratc existence of d
of States will be entirely absorbed, and an III
,vt limited despotism be established instead of
90 Federal Union of equal States, and that v
.'' regard ike reconstruction acts, so called,
10, Congress as usurpations and 2nconSlitulio
III, al and revolutionary and void.
on That our soldiers and sailors who carrie
~ the flag of our country TO victory against
'"' most gallant and determined foe, must ev
! Il be gratefully remembered, and all the qua
m antecs given in their favor must bc fuithtU
ne ~ carried into execution.
We Trot tro r,,r,li,. lands should rc lis,,,,,
ted Us widely among the people, and be di
posed Of either under the prcemptiun
o1 homestead lands and sold in reasonable qua
titles, and to none but actual occupants,