The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-10-24
THE PLATFORM
OF THE
National Democratic Convention
Adopted July q, 1868,

q,
The Democratic party, In national convention
assembled, reposing its trust In the intelligence
patriotism and discriminating justice of the peo.
pie, standing upon the Constitution as the founda-
ton and limitation OF the powers of the govern
ment, and the guarantee Of the liberty of the cit
zen, and recognizing the questions Of slavery aud
secession as having been settled for all time to
come by the war or the voluntary action of the
Southern States In constitutional conventions as.
semDled, and never to be renewed or regulated,
do, with the return of peace, demand
First-lmmediate restoration of all the Statec to
their rights in the Union under the Constitution,
and OF civil government to the American people,
Second-Amnesty for all the past political
ofienses, and the regulation Of the elective fran
chise In the States by their citizens.
Third-Paymento Of the public debt II tho United
States az rapidly as practicable, all oney drawn
from the people by taxation, except SO much as
is requisite for the necessities of the government
economically administered, being applied to such
payment; and where the obligations Of the gov.
eminent do not expressly state, upon their face,
or where the law under which they were issued
does not provide that they shall be paid in coin,
lawful money Of the United States.
Fourth-Equal taxation Of every species OF
property according to its real value. Including
government bonds and other public securities.
the people, the laborer and the Office holder, the
Pensloner aud tho soldier, the P.~a-.~- 81 a.
bondholder.
government; the reduction of the standing army
and navy the abolition of the freedmen's
bureau and all political instrumentalities de-
signed to secure negro supremacy; smplifca-
ton Of the system and discontinuance Of inguistO
rial modes of assessing and collecting the Internal
revenue, SO that the burden of taxation may be
equalized and lessened; the credit of the govern
ment and the currency made good; the repeal Of
all enactments for enrolling the State militia into
national forces in time Of peace; and . tariff for
revenue upon foreign imports, and such equal tax
atior under the internal revenue laws as will
afford Incidental protection to domestic manufac-
tures and as will, without impairing the revenue,
impose the least burden upon, and best promote
and encourage the great Industrial interest of the
country.
seventh-Reform of abuses in the administra-
ton, the expulsion OF corrupt men from Office, the
abrogation of useless Offices, the restoration of
rightful authority to and the independence Of the
executive and judicial departments Of the govern.
ment; the subordination of the military to the
civil power, to the end that the usurpations of
Congress and the despotsm OF the sword may
cease.
Eighth-Equal rights and protection for natu-
razed and native born citizens at home and
abroad, the assertion of American nationality,
which shall command the respect OF for
eign powers and furnish an example and encour-
agement to people struggling for national integ-
rity, constitutional liberty and individual tights;
and the maintenance Of the rights of naturalzed
citizens against the absolute doctrine OF immu-
table allegiance and the claims of foreign powers
to punish them for alleged crimes committed be-
yond their jurisdiction.
In demanding these measures and reforms, We
arragn the radical party for Ms disregard OF right
and the unparalleled oppression sndtyranny which
have marked its career, after the most solemn and
unanimous pledge of both houses of Congress to
prosecute the war exclusively for the maintenance
of the government and the preservation Of the
Union and Constitution. 1t has repeatedly vio-
lated 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 isin its power it, ard sub
jected ten States, in time of profound pesce, to
military despotism and negro supremacy. Ii has
nullifed the right of trial by jury; it has abol-
ished the habeas corpus. that most sacred writ OF
liberty; 1t has overthrow the freedom of speech
and press; it has substituted arbitrary seizures
and arrests, and military trials and secret star
chamber inquisitions for constitutional tribunals
ii has disregarded in times Of peace the right of
the people to be free from searches 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 speci
ication or notice of affidavit as required by tho
organic law; it has converted the American CAPT.
tol into bastile; il has established system of
epes and official espionage to which no constitu,
tional monarchy of Europe would dare to resort
it has abolished the right Of appeal On i'm
portant constitutional questions to ths
preme judicial tribunals, and threatens to
which is irrevocably vested by the Con-
stitution while the learned chief justice has been
subjected to great atr0cious calumnies, merely
because he would not prostitute his high Office to
the support Of the false and partisan charges pre-
ferred against the president. Its corruption and
extravaganza have exceeded anything known in
history, and by its frauds and monopolies it 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 1t succeed in November next.
and inaugurate its president, we will meet il a. O
subjected and conquered people, amid the ruins
of liberty and the scattered fragments OF the
Constitution. And we do declare and resoves
that ever since the people Of the United States
threw of all subjugation to the British crown, the
privilege and trust of suffrage have belonged to
the several States, and have been granted, regu
lated and controlled exclusively by the political
power OF each State, respectively; and any
attempt by Congress, on any pretext whatever,
to deprive any State of this right, interfere
with this exercise. is q fragrant usurpatidn of
power which can find no warrant in the Conytitu-
ton. and II sanctioned by the people will subvert
our form Of government, and can only end In q
single, centralized, consolidated government, In
which the separate existence of the States will be
entirely absorbed, and an unqualified despetsm
be established in place of q federal UniCn of
equal States; that we regard the reconstruction
acts OF Congress, so'csled, a. usurpations,
our soldiers and sailors who carried the flag OF
our country to victory against most gall
liant and determined foe must ever be CRATE
fully remembered, and all the guarantees given in
their favor must be faithfully carried into execu
ton that the public lands should be distributed
among the people, and should be disposed Of
either under the presumption Of homestead Jaws,
or sold in reasonable quantities, and TO non4 but
actual occupants, at the minimum price estab-
lished by the government (; when grants OF the
public lands may be allowed necessarily for the
announcements of important public improve
ments, the proceeds of the sale Of such lands and
not the lands themselves, should be so applied.
That the president of the United States. Andrew
johnson, in exercising the power Of his high Office
In resisting the aggressioDs 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 Demo-
cratic party We tender him our thanks for his pa
triotic efforts In that regard.
Upon this platform the Democratic party appeal
to every patriot, including all the conservative
element, and all who desire to support the Ccnsti-
tuition and restore the Union, forgetting all past
differences of opinion, to unite with ne In the
present great struggle for the liberties Of the peo
ple and that to all such, to whatever psrty they
may have heretofore belonged, we extend the
right hand of fellowship, and hail sill such CO.