The Placer herald., 1868-10-31
National Democratic Platform.

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pie, sta nd upon the Constitution as the foundation
and Limitation of the powers of the Government
and thu guarantee CT the liberties OF the citlZeh,
and recognizing the questions of slavery and Sc
cesson as having been settled for an 'ime 10
come by the war, OF the volunteer action OF the
Southern States in Constitutional Conventions
assembled. and never to be resuscitated, do, with
the return of peace demand
Flrst-Tbe immediate rest oraton of all States
to their rights in the Union under the Constitu-
tion of civil government and the American peo-
pie.
Secend-Amnesiy for all political ofcnses and
the regulation of the elective franchise in the
States by their citizens.
7nird-The payment of the public debt of the
United States as rapidly as practicable, all money
drawn by the people by taxation, except SO much
rs is requisite for the necessities of the Govern
ment economically administered, being honestly
applied to such payment, and when the obiiga-
tons of the Government do not expressly state
on their face or the law under which they were
issued does not provide that they shall be paid in
coin, they ought in gh and in justice to be pad
in the lawful money Of the United States.
Fourth-Equal taxation Of every species OF
property, according to value, including Govern
ment bonds and other public securities.
FVM-One currency Tor the Government and
the people, the laborer and the ofice-holder, the
pensoner and the soldier, the producer and The
bond holder.
Siath-Economy in the administration of the
Government, the reduction Of the standing army
and navy, the abolition of the Freednon's Bureau,
and all political instlumentalites designed to
serve negro supremacy simplifcaton OF the sys-
tem and disc ontinuance of inquisiorial modes
of assessing and collecting internal revenue that
the burden of taxation be equaized aud lessened;
the credit OF the country made good all enact
ments for the enrolling of the State militia into
national forces in time Of peace, and a tariff for
revenue upon foreign imports; and such equal
taxation under the internal revenue laws as will
afford incidental protection to domestic manufac-
lures as will, without impairng the revenue, i'm
pose the least burden upon and best promote and
encourage the great Industrial Interests OF the
country.
SepenM- Reform of the abuses in the admins
traton the expulsion OF corrupt men from office;
the abrogation of useless Offices the restoration
of rishtlul authority to the Independence of the
Executive and Judicial Departments OF the Gov
eminent; the subordination OF military to the
civil power. to the end that the usurpalon of
Congress and dcspotsm of the sword may cease.
EighM-Equal rights and protection for natu-
rallied and native born citizens at home and
abroad the assertion of American nationality
which will command the respect of foreign pow
ers, furnish an example and encouragement to
people struggling Tor national integrity, constl-
tutonal liberty and individual rights, and the
maintenance OF the rights Of naturaized citizens
against the absolute doctrine OF immuable allie
them for alleged crime committed beyond their
jurisdiction. In demanding these measures and
reforms we arragn the Radical party tCr its dis
regard OF right and the unparalleled opposition
and tyranny which have marked its career. AT
ter the most solemn and unanimous pledge OF
both Houses OF Congress to prosecute the war eX-
clusvely for the maintenance OF the Government
and the preservation of the Union under the Con-
stituton, it 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 TAR as 1t
is in its power. dissolved it, and subjected ten
States in time of profound peace to military des-
pOtsm and negro suffrage. II has nulliiied there
the right of trial by jury; it has abolished the
habeds corpus, that most sacred writ OF liberty;
it has overthrow the freedom of speech aud the
press; it has substituted arbitrary seizures and
arrests, and military trials and secret Star Cham
Der inquisitions Tor constitutional tribunals. 1t
has disregarded in time OF peace the right OF the
people to be free from search and seizures 1t has
entered the post and telegraph offices, and even
the private rooms of individuals. and seized their
private papers and letters, without any specitica
tion or notice OF affidavit. as required by the or
gauc law Ii has converted the American Capt.
tol into bastile 1t has established system of
spies and official espionage to which no constltu-
tional monarchy of Europe would now dare to
resort 1t has abolished the right OF appeal on
important constitutional questions to the supreme
destroy its original jurisdiction, which is irrevo-
cably vested by the Constitution, while the learn
ed Chief Justice has been subject to great and
atrocous calumnies merely because he would not
prostitute his high Office to the support OF the
false and parizan charges preferred against the
President. Its corruption and extravaganza have
exceeded any thing known in history, and by its
frauds and monopolics ii has nearly doubled the
burden of the debt created during the war. 1t
has stripped the President of his constitutional
power OF appointment, even OF his own CABINET.
Under its repeated assaults the pillars OF the
Government are rocking on their base, and should
it succeed in November next, and inanguate Its
President, we will meet as subjected and con-
ouered people amid the ruins OF liberty and the
scattered fragments of the Constitution. And
we do declare and resolve that ever since the
people of the United States threw off all subec-
tion to the British Crown the privilege aud trust
of suffrage have belonged 10 the several States,
and have been granted, regulated and controlled
exclusively by the political power of each State
respectively, any attempt by Congress, on any
pretext whatever, to deprive any State OF this
right, or interfere with this exercise, is fragrant
usurpation Of power which Can find no warrant
in the Constitution, and il sanctioned by the pco-
pie will subvert our form OF Government, and
will only end in a sing centralized, consolidated
Government. in which the separate existence OF
the States will be absorbed, and an unqualified
despotism be established in place of q Federal
reconstruction acts of Congrcs such usurpatons,
and unconstitutional, revolutionary and void.
That our soldiers and sailors, who carried the
flag of our country to victory against most gal
liant and determined foe, must be ever gratefully
remembered, and all the guarantees given in
their favor must be faithfully carried into execu-
ton.
That the public lands should be distributed as
widely among the people and should be disposed
of either under the presumption OF homestead
laws and sold in reasonable quantities, and to
none but actual occupants, at the minimum price
established by the Government. When grants OF
the public lands may be allowed necessary or .he
encourage cement Of important public improve
ments. the proceeds of such lands. and not the
lands themselves, should be applied.
That the President of the United States, An
drew Johnson, exercising the power Of his ONCE
in restricting the aggressons OF Congress On the
constitutional rights of the States and the people,
is entitled to the gratitude of the whole American
people, and on behalf of the Democratic party we