Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-08-17
THE PLATFORM.

=
The Democratic party, in National Conven-
ton assembled. reposing its trust in the intell
gence, patriotism and discrimin ating Justice OF
the people: standing upon the Constitution as
the foundation and limitation Oh tne power; IN, 81
critics of the citizen and recognizing the ques-
tions of flavery and secession as having been
settled for all time TO come by the war or the
voluntary action Of the Southern states N =
never to be renewed or reagitated; do. with the
return of peace, demand.
1 Immediate restoration of all tho States TO
thoir rights in the Union under the Constitu-
tion and civil government oil the American
q. Amnesty for all past political ofIenses, and
the regulation of the elective franchise in the
States by their citizens and the payment II tns
3. All money drawn from the people by tax
alton. except so much as is requisite for the ne
csssss 9f the
payment, and where the obligations Of the Gov
erpmcnt do not expressly state upon their face,
or the law under which they were issued does
not provide that they shall be paid y 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.
U.
people, the laborer and the officeholder. the
nensioner and the soldier. the producer and
the bondholder.
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
plification of the system and the discontinuance
of inquisitorial boards for assessing, and col
lecting internal revenue, 80 that the burden OF
taxation may be equalized and lessened; the
credit of the. Government and the currency
made good; the repeal Of a. enactments for
enrolling the State militia into National forces
in time of peace a tariff for revenue upon
foreign imports, and such equal taxation under
the internal revenue laws rs 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
Z. Reform of abuses in the Adminis stration.
abroPation of useless Offices. the restoration Of
rightful authority to, and the independence of
the Executive and Judicial departments Of the
Government, the subordination of the militsry
to the civil power to the end that the usurpa-
tions of Congress and the despotism of the
sword may cease.
8. Equal rights and protection for natural;
lied and native-bcrn citizens at home ana
abroad 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 indisldual
RIGHTS, and the maintenance of tho rights OF
naturalzed citizens against the absolute doc
time of immutable allegiance, and the claims
of foreign powers to punish them for alleged
crime committed beyond their jurisdiction.
we arraign the Radical party for its disregard
of riaht, and the unparalleled oppression and
tyranny which have marked its career, after
the most solemn and unanimous pledge OF beth
8 60 IN fha w mr. N "
clusiveiy for the maintenapco of the govern
ment and the preservation ofthe Union under
the Constitution.
= It'll has repeatedly violated that most sacred
pledge under which was rallied that noble vol
unteer army, which carried our flag to victory.
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
1t has nullifed there the right ftrial byjury.
1t has abolished tho habeas corpus, that
most sacred writ of liberty.
1t has oyerthrown the freedom Of speech and
II has substituted arbitrary seizures and
arrests. and military trials and secret star
Chamber inquisitions, for constitutional tri-
bunals.
of the people to be free from search and seiE-
Ii has entered the post and telegraph Offices.
and even the private rooms Of indiylduals'
without any specification or notice OF AFFIDAVIT,
as required by the organic law.
1t has converted the American capitol into
bastile.
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 to the su-
preme Judiciary tribunal, and threatens 10
curtail or destroy its original iurisdiction,
which Is irrevocabIy 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
high Office TO the support Of the false and par
tisan charges preferred against the President.
Its corruption and extravagance have ex-
cecdsd anything known in history. and 6y II;
the burden Of debt created during the war.
II has stripped the President of his constftu-
tional power Of appointment, even Of his own
Under its repeated assaults the pillars Of the
Government are rocking on their base, and
should IL succeed in November next and inag-
rurate its President we will meet as a subject
and conquered people amid the ruins Of lib
erty and the scattered fragments Of the Consti-
tuition; and we do declare an5 resolve that
ever since the people Of the United States
threw OF all subsection 20 the British Crown
tho privilege and trust OF suffrage. have be-
longod 10 the several States. and have been
granted. regulated. and controlled exclusively
BY the political power q each state rospect-
rretext whatever. 10 deprive any State of this
right. or interfere with this exercise. is da-
grant usurpation of power which can ind no
warrant In the Constitution. and, II sanctioned
hy the people. will subtert our form OF gov
erumeut, and can only end in q Finrle celtral-
i1ed, consolidated eovCrument. in which the
separate existence of the States will be entirely
absorbed. and an unqualifed. dc.rctiem be
established In place Of a fedcrai Union 81
That Uc reeard the rcco1flructisa aciS of
Congress. so-called. as lururpanons. npconsti-
soidiors and sailors who carried the fae of our
country 70 vicfory arainEt q mot gallant ard
determined foe, mast ever Be gratefully re-