Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-08-12
THE PLATFORM.

ton assembled reposipg its trust in th inteli-
gence, patriotism and discrimin atiDg justice oil
| the people; standing upon the Constitution as
| the Government. and the guarantse of the lib.
critics of tho citizen and recognising the ques-
| tions Of u lavery and secession as 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 TO 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
people.
2. Amnesty for all past political offenses, and
the regulation OF the elective franchise in the
States hy their citizens. and the payment of the
public debt of the United States as rapidly as
practicable.
8. 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.
or the law under which they were issued does
ought, in right and ustice. be paid in the law
ful money Of tho United States.
A. Equal taxation of every species of property
| according to its real value; including Govern
ment bonds, and other public securities.
s. One currency for the Government and the
people, the laborer and the ol1ceholder, the
pensioner and the soldier. the producer and
the DOQQnOluer.
6. Economy in the administration of the
Government; tho. reduction of the standing
army and navy; the abolishment OF the freed
mems bureau. and all political instrumental
tiles designed to secure negro supremacy; SIM
plification Of the system and the discontinuance
of inquisitorial boardsfor assessing and col
lecting internal revenue, so that the burden of
taxation may be equalized and lessened the
credit of the Government and the currency
made good; the repeal of al snaetments for
enrolling the State militia into National forces
in time of peace !; tarih 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 Adminis stration,
the expulsion of errupt men from Offices. the
abropation Of useless offices, the restoration Of
riehtful authority, TO. and the independence OF
the Executive and Judicial departments of the
Government. the subordinatiop of the military
to the civil power to the end that the usurpa-
tions of Congress and tho dcspotism OF the
sword may cease.
s. Equal rights and protection for natural:
ized and native born citizens at home and
abrc ad an assertion OF American nationality.
which shall command the respect Of forei IN
powers, and furnish an example and encourage
ment to people struggling for national integ-
rity, constitutional liberty and indi-idual
RIGHTS, and the maintenance of the rights Of
naturalzed 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 rieht, 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-
ment and the preservation of the Union under
the Constitution. IN
1t has repeatedly violated that most sacred
pledge under which was rallied that noble vol
unteer armv. which carried our flag to victory.
Instead of restoring the Union. it bas, SO far
as in its power. dissolved it, and subjected ten
States in time Of peace to military despotism
and negro supremacy.
Ii hes abolished the habeas corpus, that
most sacred writ Of liberty. !,
II has overthrown the freedom Of speech and
the press.
arrests. and military trials and secret Star
Chamber inquisitions, fer constitutional tri-
bunals.
of the people to be free from search ana seiE-
It has entered the post and telegraph offices,
and even the private rooms Of indiyiauals'
and seized their. private papers and letters
without any specification or notice OF awnaVlt,
as required by the organic law.
1t has converted the American capitol into
bastIle.
1t has established system Of spies and OFF,
ciai espionage to which no constitutional moR-
archy Of Europe would now dare to resort.
1t has abolished the right Of appeal on I'M
portant. consitutional questions to the su-
nreme judiciary tribunal, and threatens TO
curtail or destroy its original jurisdiction,
which is irrevocably vested By the Constitu
ton, while the learn Chief Justice has been
subjected to the most atrocious calumnies,
merely because he would not prostitute his
high Office TO the support Of the false and par
tisan charges preferred against the President.
Its corruption and extravagance have ex-
ceeded anything known in history. and BY its
frauds and monopolies II has nearly doubled
the burden Of debt created during the war.
It has stripped the President Of his constitu-
tional power Of appointment, even Of his own
cabinet.
Under lie repeated assaults the pillars Of the
Government are rocking on their base, and
should ii succeed in November next and inau-
ruratc its President We will meet as subject
and conquered people amid the runs OF ho-
erty and the scattered fragments OF the Constr
tuition ard We dc declare and resolve that
ever since the people Of the United states
threw OF all subjecfion % the British Crown
the privilege and trust Of suffrage have be-
ionecd 70 the several States, and have been
Granted. reruiafed. ard controlled cxclusively
Nv the political power cf each state respect
lively. and any attempt by Congress. on any
rirht. or interfere with this exercise. i q ha-
rrnpt usurpation Of power which can Ind no
ssrra-t in the Cuustitution. add, II sanctioned
h fhe people, will subxcrt our forn cf gov
eSnraent. and enn only end in q sinfie cen tral-
ned. confolidated Eovcrnmeut. ~ Snlcn ne
.i,sorbed. and an unqualified dogTotism Be
ssfahIished in place Of fedsrai Union Of
rs Tsas si We irsr.rd The rseonslrue:lss ae.. q