The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1868-08-05
PLATFORNN
OF THE
Democracy Of the United States
ADOPTED BY
Unanimous Vote Of Delegates in MAJ
tional Convention Assembled,
OF THE

d The Democratic party, in Nationa
Convention assembled, reposing its trus
s in the intelligence, patriotism and dis
g eliminating justice of the people. stand
: ing upon the Constitution as the fourd
e alton and limitation of tie powers o
the Government, and the guarantee O
r the liberties of the citizen, and recog-
nizing the questions of slavery and Sc
c~ession as having been settled for al
time to come by the war or the volun-
tary action of the Southern States in
Constitutional Conventions assembled
and never to be renewed or regulated
do, with the return of peace,
FIRsT-Immediate restoration of all
the States to their rights in the Union
under the Constitution aud of civil'goy-
eminent to the American people.
SEcoND-Amnesty for all past politi-
cal ~offenses, and the regulation of the
elective franchise in the States by their
own citizens
THIRD-Payment of the public debt
Of the United States as rapidly as prac-
ticatle-all money drawn from the peo-
pie by taxation, except so much as is
requisite for the nc ccssities of the Gov
eminent economically administered,
being applied to such payment; and
where the obligations of the Govern
mcnt do not expressly state upon their
face, or where the law under which they
we're issued does not provide that they
shall be paid in coin, they ought in right
aud in justice to be paid in the lawful
money of the United States.
FoURTH-EquaI taxation of every
species of property according to its real
value, including Government bonds and
other public securities.
FIFTH-One currency forthe Govern
ment and the people, the laborer and
the oficeholder, the pensioDer and the
soldier, the producer and the bond
holder.
SIxTH-Economy in the admins
tration of the Government; the reduc-
ton of the standing army end navy
the abolition of the Freedman's Bureau,
and all political instrumentalities de
signed 10 secure negro supremacy;
simplificatiou of the system and dis
continuance of inquisitorial modes of
assessing and collecting internal revcn
ue' so that the burden of taxation may
be equalfzcd and lessened ; the credit
the Government and the currency
good the repeal of all e~nactments
FOR enrolling the State militia into Ma
lional forces in time of peace, and a tar
ii Tor revenue upon foreign imports.
such equal taxation under the In
-ernal Revenue laws as will afford in.
,idental protection to domestic manu-
'act1res. and as well, without impair.
pg the revenue, impose the least bur-
len upon and best promote and encour
lge the great industrial interests of the
SEYENTH-Reform of abuses in the {
administration. the expulsion of corrupt t
men from Office, the abrogation of USE a
ess officers, the restoration of rightful
luthority to and the independence of /
Executive and Judicial Departments
Government. The subordination '
# the military to the civil power, to
he end that the usurpations of Con-
,ress and the despotism of the sword
nay cease. {
EIGHTH-Equal rights and protection S
or naturalized and native-born citizens z
{ home AID abroad ; the assertion of n
American nationality, which shall COM G
nand the respect of foreign powers and o
an example and encouragement IL
o people struggling for national integ a
ity, constitutional liberty and indivi. p
ual rights, and the maintenance of the a
ights Of naturalized citizens against e
ne absolute doctrine of immutable p
llegiance and the claims of foreign fl
overs to punish them for alleged crime al
ommitted beyond. their jurisdiction. S
BILL OF INDICTMENT AGAINST -
THE RADICAL PARTY. "
In demanding these measures and te
We arraign the Radical party G
II its disregard of right and the un st
aralleled oppression and tyranny which pr
marked its career after the most je
'lemn and unanimous pledge of both by
.ouses of Congress to prosecute the th
ar exclusively for the maintenance of
Government, and the preservation LEI
the Union and the Constitution. an
1t has repeatedly violated that most CO
cred pledge, under which was rallied tn
at noble volunteer army which car tn
ID orr flag to victory. Instead of re- ey
,ring the Union, it has, so far as in thi
power, dissolved it, and subjected
States, in times of profound peace an
military despotism and negro SUI thu
emacy. bro