Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-07-15
THE PLATFORM.

The Democratic party, in NATIONAL C0uven-
ton assembled. reposing its trust in the intelli
gence, patriotism and discrimin ating justice of
the people: standing upon the Constitution 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 20 come by the war or the
voluntary action of the Southern States in
Constitutional Conventions assembled, and
never 10 be renewed or reagitated do, with the
return of peace, demand.
l. Immediate restoration Of all the States to
their rights in the Union under the Constitu-
tion and civil government OF the American
2. Amnesty for all past political offenses, and
the regulation Of the elective franchise in the
States by their citizens. and the payment of the
public debt of the United Etates as rapidly as
8. All money drawn from the people by tax
ation except SO much as is requisite for the me-
cessties of the Government, economically ad-
m;nistered, should be honestly applied to such
payment, and where tho 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 they shall be paid in coin, 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.
g. One currency for tho Government and the
people, the labnrer and the oficeholdef, the
pensoner ard the soldier. the producer and
The bondhoder. 80,
s. Economy in the. administration of the
Government; the reduction of the standing
army and navy; the adjustment of the freed
mems bureau, and all political Instrumental
tiles designed to secure negro supremacy; SIM
plifcati0n of the system and the discontinuance
of inquistorial boards for assessing and COL
Iecting internal revenue, so that the burden of
taxation may be equalzed and lessened the
credit of the Government and the currency
made good; the repea! OF AL eractments for
enrolling the State militia into National forces
in time of peace !; a tnrif for revenue upon
foreign imports, and such equal taxation under
the internal revenue laws us VIII afford Incl
dental protection to domestic manuiactures'
and as will. without impsiring the revenue,
impose the least burden upon and best promote
aud encourage the great industrial interests OF
the country.
the expulsion of corrupt men from oihees. the
abroRaton of useless Offices, the restoration OF
rightful authority to, and the Independence, of
the Executive and Judicial departments q the
Government the subordination OF the military
to the civil power to the end that the usurpa-
tons of Congress and the despotism OF the
sword may cease.
s. Equal rights and protection for natural;
lied and native-b born citizens at home and
abroad; an assertion Of American nationality,
which shall command the respect of foretsn
powers and furnish an example and enconrage-
ment to people struggling for nauona, lnteg,,
rity, constitutional liberty and individual
rights, and the maintenance OF the rights oil
naturalized citizens against the absolute doc
trine of immutable allegiance. and the claims
Of foreign powers to punish them ior a alleged
crime committed beyond their jurisdis1on.
In demanding these measures and REFORMS
we arraign the Radical party for its disregard
Of right, and the unparalleled oppression ana
tyranny which have marked its career, alter
the most solemn and unanimous pledge OF beth
Houses of Congress to prosecute the war eX-
clusively for the maintenance of tho govern
ment and the preservation OF the Union under
the Constitution. :,
II las repeatedly violated that most sacred
pledge under which was rallied that noble vol
unteer armv. which carried our nag 70 victory.
Instead of restoring the Union. 1t mas, SO far
as in its power, dissolved it, and subjected ten
States in time Of peace to- military despotism
and negro supremacy.
1t has nuIifed there the right of trial by jury.
It has abolished the habeas corpus that
most sacred writ of liberty. 4,
1t has overthrown the freedom OF speech ana
II has substituted arbitrary seizures and
arrests. and military trials and secret star
| Chamber inquisitions, for constitutional TIL
IL has disregarded in time of peace the, right
Of the people to be free from search and seiz-
It has entered the post aud telegraph offices,
| and even the private rooms Of iudiyiduais'
and seized iheir. private papers and letters
without any specification or notice oil amaaVii,
| as required by the organic law.
4
II has established system Of spies and Off
cial espionage TO which no constitutional moh-
archy Of Europe would now dare to resort.
It has abolished the right OF appeal on I'M
/ portant constitutionai questions to the su-
preme judiciary tribunal, and threaienss 70
curtail or destroy its original lurisdle.iIe,n.
which Is irrevccably vested By the Cons,ltu
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 ana par
tisan charges preferred against the President.
Its corruption and extravagance have ex-
/ ceedod anything known in history. and by ~.
| frauds and monopolies il has nearly doubled
| the burden of debt created during the war.
II has stripped the President of his constitu-
tional power Of appointment. even Of his own
Under It's repeated assaults the pillars Of the
Government arc rocking on their base, and
| should II succeed in November next and inau-
| rurate its President we will meet az subject
and conquered people amid the runs 81 ne- no
| tuition and We dc declare anc resolve that
ever since the people Of the United States
threw OF all suhjecticn Il the British crown
the privilege and trust Of fufraFe have oo-
| rranfed. regulated. and controlled exclusively
/ ~ the political power 4 each State respect
lively. and any attempt by ConEress. On any
i rretcxt whatever. % deprive any state 81 tnis
/ graft usurpAtion Of rower which can tnd n9
/ warrant in the Constitution. ard. II sanctorcd
/ br the people. viii subrert our form Of soy
I eminent. and can only end In . single cer tral-
iIed. eonIelidsisd FsssTsnsnt, n sh,ss sss
sL,so-bef. and an unquaiif.d dcsratism b
established in place Of federAi Onion q
Ihsi ~ We rsrsrd the rsossstrss,i.n sctI q
congrsfI, so-ealleo, e. ufurranens' aneonto-