The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-10-01
The National Democratic
Platform,

The Democratic party, in National CUnven.
ton assembled, repesng 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 OF
the Government, and the guarantee of the lib
critics of the citizen, and recognizing the ques-
| tons of slavery and secession as having been
settled for all time to come, by war and the vol
untary action of the Southern States, in consti
tutional convention assembled, and never to be
renewed or regulated, 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 for the
American people.
Second Amnesty for all past political often.
ces and the regulation of the elective franchise
in States by their citizens.
Third. Payment of the public debt of the Uni.
ted States as rapidly as practicable; all money
drawn from the people by taxation, except so
much as is requisite for the necessities of the
government economically administered, being
honestly applied TO such payment, and where
the obligations of the Government do not ex.
pressly state upon their face or the law under
which they were issued does not provide that
they shall be paid in coin, they ought, il right
and justice, be paid in the lawful msney of the
United States
Fourth. Equal taxation of every species of
property according to its real value, including
government bonds and other public securities.
Fifth. One curT ency for the government and
the people, the laborer and the office holder,
the pensioner and the soldier, the producer and
bond-holder.
Sixth. Economy in the administration of the
government, the reduction of the standing army
and navy; the abolition of the Freedmens
bureau great cheers, and all political instru-
mentalities designed to secure negro supremacy
simplifcation of the system, and discontinuance
of inQuistorial modes of assessing and collecting
Internal Revenue; so that the burden of taxation
may be equalized and lesssned the credit of
the government and the currency made good,
the repeal of all enactments for enrolling the
State militia into the national forces in time of
peace, and a tariff for revenue upon foreign i'm.
ports: and such equal taxation under the Inter
nal Revenue laws, as will afford incidental pro-
lection 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.
seventh. Reform of abuses in the adminstra- !
ton; the expulsion of corrupt men from office; |
the aorogatlon of useless offices; the restoration
OF rightlnl authority to and the independence |
Oh the Executive and Judicial departments OF
; Sne government; The subordination Of the mil |
uaI 10 the civil power to the end that the usur-
pauons OF Congress and the despotism of the
sword may cease " viz
Eighth Equal rights and protection for nat
uLAlL s ana native born citizens at home and
abroad. Ihe assertion of American nationality
which shall command the respect of fore;S1
powers ana furnish an example and encouraGe
ment to people struggling for national intecri.
ty, constitutional liberty and individual rights |
and the maintenance of the rights of naturaI;9'
ed citizens against the absolute doctrine of i'm.
mutable allegiance, and the claims of foreign
powers to punish them for crime committed
beyond their jurisdiction.
In demanding these measures and reforms we
arraign the Radical party for its disregard Tor
right, and the unparalleled oppression and tyr
amy which has marked its career, after the |
most solemn and unanimous pledges OF both
houses of Congress to prosecute the war eXclu.
sively for the maintenance of the Government
and the protection of the Union under the
Constitution. 1t has repeatedly violated that
most sacred pledge, under which was rallied
that noble volunteer army which carried our |
flag to victory. Instead of restoring the Union
it has, so far as il is in itspOwer, dissolved it.