Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-08-14
THE PLATFORM.

The Democratic party, in National Conven-
ton assembled. reposing its trust In the inteli
Rence patriotism and discrimin stipR Justice OF
the people standing upon the constitution as
the Govtrnment and the guarantee of the lib
critics of the citizen and recognising the ques-
tions Of slavery and secession as having been
for al S tSo e as 'ie
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 Coustitu-
tion and civil government of the American
2. Amnesty for all past political offsnses, and
States by their ci izens. and the payment of the
public debt of the United States as rapidly as
8. All money Srawn from the people BY tax
alton. except so much as is requisite for the ne
| cessities of tho Government. economically ad-
m.nistered, should be honestly applied to such
payment, and where the obligations Of the Gov
eminent do net EXPIRE sly state upon their II face.
not provide that they shall be paid II coin. they
| ought, in right and Justice, be paid in the law
full money Of the United States.
aceoraua to s ren 0 vsae
ment bonds. and other public securities.
s. One currency for the Government and the
people, the laborer and the. oficeholder. the
pensioner and the soldier. the producer and
8. Economy in the administration of the
Government; the reduction Of the standing
! army and navy; tho aboishment of the freed
mems bureau, and all political Instrumental
tiles designed to secure negro supremacy; sim
pifcati0n of the system aud the dis continuance
Of inquisitorial boards for assessing and COL
lectipg internarrevenue, 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 enactments for
enrolling the State militia into National forces
In time of peace "a tsrif 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. gl.
y. Reform of abuses in the Administration,
the expulsion of ,erfupt men from Offices, the
rightfu authority to, and the Independence Of
the Executive and Judicial departments of the
Government. the subordination Of the military
TO the civil power to the end that the usurpa-
tions of Congress and the despotism OF the
8. Equal rights and protection for natural.
ized and native-born citizens at home and
abro ad !. an assertion Of American nationality,
powers, and furnish an example and encourage
ment TO people struggling for national integ-
Iity. constitutional liberty and indi ridual
Rntet anu Inc InalnIeQhhce OF tnt ElBuU Ot
naturalzed citizens against the absolute doc
trine Of immutable alleeiance, and the claims
of foreign powers to punish them for alleged
crime committed beyond their jurisdiction.
In demanding these measures and reforms
we srraign 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 tho war ex-
clusiveiy fer the maintenance OF the govern
ment and the preservation Of the Union under
the Constitution. :,
IL 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. 1t has. 80 far
as in its power. dissolved it. and subjected ten
States in time of peace to military despotism
1t has nullifed there the right of trial byjury.
1t has abolished the habeas corpus. that
most sacred writ Of liberty.
1t has oyerthrown the freedom of speech and
IL has substituted arbitrary seizures and
arrests. and military trials and secret Star
Chamber inquisitions, for constitutional tri-
bunals.
Ii has disregarded in time of peace the. right
Of the people TO be free from search and seiz-
II has entered tbs post aud telegraph Offices.
and even the private rooms Of indiyieuals.
and seized their private papers and letters, |
without auy specification or notice Of ab devit, |
as required by the organic law.
II hss converted the American capitol into |
bastile.
II has established n system Of spies and off, |
cial espionage 70 which no constitutional moH-
archy Of Europe would now dare to resort.
II has abolished the right Of appeal on i'm
portant constitutional questions TO the su-
preme judiciary tribunal, and threatens to
curtail or destroy its original jurisdiction,
which Is irrevocably vested by the Constitu-
ton. while the learn, d Chief Justice has been
subjected TO the most atrocious calumnies,
merely because he would not prostitute his
tisaa charges preferred aeainst the President.
Its corruption and extravagsnce have ex-
ceedsd anything knoEa in history, and by its
frauds and moncpolies IL has nearly doubled
Il s has Stripped tSs PsesiSsni Of Sis S sonstitu
tional power Of app ointment. even Of his own
Under It's repeated assaults the pillars Of the
Government are rocking on their base, and /
gurate its President We will meet as subject
and conquered people amid the runs Of lib
erty and the scattered fragments Of the Consti-
tuition; aud We de declare and resolve that
ever since the people OF the United ttatns
threw of all Subsection 70 the British Crown
t6e privilcFo and trust OF suffrage have be-
lonesd 10 the several States. and have been
granted. regulated, and controlled exclusively
~ the political power a each stafe respect
lively. and any attempt hy Congress, on any
right, or interfere With this exercise. is Ia
grant usurpatiou of power which can ind nc
warra1t In the Coustitufion. ard, III fanctiored
by the people. will subvert cur form Of gov
eminent, and can only end IN single cet trel-
iIsd. confolidated rovernueut. in vhich the
serersts existence of the States VIII b entirely
nbsorhei. aad ~ ungualifed de.rQtism be
sfiAhtIhsd IN plsos Of beaerri Union ef
la se rs.1l,ss .s 49, -.,