Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-07-23
THE PLATFORM.

The Democratic party. in National Conven-
tion assembled. reposins its trust IN the inteli :
the people: standing upon the Constitution as
the foundation and limitation of the powers IF
the Government, and the guarantee of the lib
critics Of the citizen and recognizing the ques-
tions Of siavery 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 reagtated; do. with the
return of peace, demand,
/. Immediate restoration Of all the States to
their rights in the Union under the Constitu
tion and civil government of the American
people. ...--rf,
2.Amnesty for all past political ofTenses, and
the regulation OF the elective franchise in the
States by their citizens and the payment Of the
public debt of the United States as rapidly as
8. All money Drawn from the people BY tax
ation except SO much as is requisite for the ne
cessties 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
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 the Government and the
people, the laborer and the oficeholder, the
pensioner and the soldier. the producer and
the bondholder. .A
6. Economy in the administration of the
Government; the 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
plifcation Of the system and the ditcontinuance
of inquisitorial boards for assessing and COLI
lectipg internal revenue, 80 that the burden OF
taxation may be equaized and lessened; the
credit of the Government and the currency
made good the repeal of all enactments for
enrolling the State militia into National forces
in time of peace q tariff 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 inpairing the revenue,
impose the least burden upon and best promote
and encourage the great industrial interests of
the country. :,
the expulsion of corrupt men from offices. the
abroaation of useless Offices. the restoration OF
rightfu authority to, and the independence OF
the Executive and Judicial departments 81 the
to the civil power to the end that the usurpa-
tions of Congress and the despotism OF the
sword may cease.
s. EQUAL rights and protection for natural
lied aud native-born citizens at home and
abroad: an assertion of American nationality,
which shall command the respect OF foreisn
powers and furnish an example and encourage
ment to people struggling for natona, integ,,
Tity, constitutional liberty and individual
riphts, and the maintenance of the rights of
naturalized 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 right, and the unparalleled oppression and
tyranny which have marked its career, after
the most solemn and unanimous pledge OF beth
Houses of Congress to prosecute the war ex-
clusvely fer the maintenance OF the govern
Al tha Tpf0
the Constitution.
Ii has repeatedly violated that most sacred
pledge under which was rallied that noble vol
unteer army. which carried our flag to victery.
Instead Of restoring the Union. it has, SO far
as in its power. dissolved it. and subjected ten
States In time Of peace to military despotism
and negro supremacy.
ii has nullifed there the right Of trial by jury.
1t has 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, for constitutional tri-
bunals.
Of the people to be free from search ana selz-
IL has entered the post and telegraph Offices,
and even the private rooms Of indiyiduais,
and seized their private papers ana le,.ei.'
without any specification or notlce OF amoaFit,
as required by the organic law.
II has converted the American capitol into
II has established system of spies and Off
cial espionage to which no constitutional mon
archy Of Europe would now dare TO resort.
1t has abolished the right Of appeal on I'M
portant constitutional questions 10 the su-
preme judiciary tribunal. and threatens to
curtail or destroy its original lurlsdlcuon,
which Is irrevocably vested BY the Constitu-
ton. while the learned Chief Justice has been
subjected to the most atrocious calumnies,
merely because he weuld not prostitute his
high Office 10 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 II.
frauds and mOnopolies II has nearly doubled
| the burden Of debt created during the war.
II has stripped ths President Of his constitu-
tienal power Of appointment, oven Of his own
cabinet.
Under its repeated assaults the pillars Of the
| Government are rocking on their base, and
| should IL succeed in November next and inau-
rurate its President We will meet as a subject
and conquered people amid the ruins ef lib
| erty and the scattered fragments Of the Constr
| tuition; and We de declare and resolve that
| ever since the people Of the United States
threw OF all subsection 70 the British Grown
the privilege and trust o. mirage have be
granted. regulated. and controlled exclusively
| 81 the political power II each state respect
ively, and any attempt by Congress. on eny
| rretext whatever, % deprive any STATE 81 this
right, or interfere With this exercise. i q ha-
rrsnf usurpation Of power Which can find no
warrant in the Couftituticn- and. II Hancuoned
- the people, will Eubrert cur form Of roy-
srnment, and can only end In single central
iIed. eoesollaatsa s,ssTa nsnt In RI h,se Is
| ahrorbed. and an unqralifed desrctilm b
established In place Of feecral Union of
Ia ss rsr.rd the .rsosaslrurtisa scts q
i -. m.I1