The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-05-19
Platform of the Democracy of
Ohio, Adopted at Columbus, jan
uary 8. 1865.


REsoLvEr, That the Democracy of Ohio
congratulate the country upon the improved
aspect of political affairs, as evidenced by
the State elections of 1867, and that they
look forward with hope and confidence to the
result of that momentous struggle upon which
they are about to enter and upon which dc.
pends, in so great degree, the future peace
and prosperity of the Union.
RESOLVED, That we are unalterably oppo.
sed to the doctrine which leads to consolida-
tion. We renew with unfagging zeal and
increased energy our attachment to that po-
litical creed which has ever been so stanchly
adhered to by our organization through days
of trouble and disaster as we'll as good for
tune and prosperity, which vas thus ex-
pressed by Thomas Jeferson: "Equal and
exact justice to all men of whatever state,
religion or politics. Peace, commerce and
honest friendship with all nations, entang-
ling alliances with none." The support of
the State governments in all their rights, as
the most competent administrators of our
domestic concerns and the surest bulwark
against antispubilc tendencies, the preserva-
ton of the General Governments in its whole
constitutional vigor as the sheet anchor Of
peace at home and safety abroad; and jealous
care of the rights of the electors by the peo-
pie, and supremacy Of the civil over the mill.
tary authority.
RESOLVED, That we consider the legislative
usurpations of Congress, and particularly
| the several acts of reconstruction so called
as violative. of the constitutional compact
between the States, and utterly subversive of
every principle of self.government that dis
| ltinguishes free people. ;s..s,
RESOLVED, That we are opposed to any
measures which recognize that the Integrity
of the Union as ever broken--that any of
| its members were ever out; and that we de-
Itermidly insist that tie Southern States, no
longer being in insurreetion orsat war with
the Federal Government, are entitled to the
full State Reorganization in Congress and in
the Electoral Colleges given to all the States;
and that the denial of It tothem by Congress
and It's efforts to dictate by military force a
government for them are unconstitutional,
Revolutionary and despotic, g 1,sssR
| Resolved, That We are opposed both In
principle and policy to negro Suffrage; that
the State of Ohio, having by the emphatic
majority of 10000 rejected ii for herself, is
sternly opposed to its forced imposition up
on the other States, and that We stigmatize
such an imposition by the Federal Govern
ment as q most base usurpation.
RESOLVED, That the practical effect Of the
so-ealled Reconstruction Acts of Congress is
to deliver over ten States to the political and
social control of negroes TO place the lives
liberties and fortunes Of the whites residing
There into the hands Of barbarous people
Il Al. r. l. - - kIx,r.
war of races or tothe Africanization Of the
South. nssesssva e1a
RESOLVED That Notwithstanding the enor-
nous and conceded frauds in the creation ol
1.-THE public debt, the faith of the country is
pledged to its payment principal and inter
lest, according to the terms Of the several acts
of Congress under which the banks repre-
senting The debt were issued, but not other
wise; and we are opposed to any plan fol
extending the. times of payment, thus in
creasing the amount Of gold interest to more
than principal, or to any declaration iby Con-
gress that the principal is payable IN gold
which would virtually add more than thou
sand millions TO the bufthen Of the debt, and
to the whole insane financial policy Of which
these measures are part. ~ N
/ : AEcU1f ED, u n1t uClluct 1UikcitAuA w NS-y
ing an ancient faith that gold and silver noir
form the currency Of the country, We de-
clare that the flve-twenty bonds should be
paid in the same currency received by the
Government for their issue, and that, by the
withdrawal Of the monopoly granted to the
National banks, this result can be accomplish
ed without an undue or dangerous increase
Of paper money, now the only circulating
medium, thus relieving our people from the
burden Of . debt, the tendency Of which II
always to corrupt and enslave, and our Gov
ernment from the reproach Of paying fa-
vored class in gold, while dischafging its debts
| to all others, including pensions TO widows
and soldiers. in an inferior currency.
RESOLVED, That the plan violates no law
impairs ne contract, breaks no faith, and, in
stead Of retarding . return to specie pay
ment, is the shortest, because the only saf'
way of reaching that end,
RESOLVED, That all the property Of th'
country, including the Government bond
which receives the equal protection Of th,
Government should bear an equal share II
its burdens,
i RESOLVED, That we Indignantly reject tn,
principle derived from the feudal system, tina
the masses of the people belong TO the govern
ments under which they live. which, in an
other form,is contended for by the monarchie
of Europe including Great Britain, that once
subject always subject. That We, on tn
contrary, maintain that an individual can
by emigration and residence in another coun
try, foreswear his previous allegiance, ant
be admitted into all the civil and politica
rights of his new home-that American cit
lizens, by adoption and naturalization, are en-.
titled to, all the rights, as between Us ant
| foreign powers which can be claimed by on
native-born citizens, and that it is the duty..o
the Federal Government to protect and main
i tain them by every means within its power
RESOLVED, That the people will sustain An.
drew Johnson, President of the United States
in the struggle with Congressional usurpatioi
and that we pledge the Democracy of Ohio I.
support him in all constitutional measures
to relieve the white people of the South from
the negro governments now being imposet
upon them.
RESOLVED, That the fortitude and gallantr!
of our soldiers in the recent civil war, in de-
tense of the Union, entities. them to th'
gratitude of the country, snd they shoult
ever be remembered by it in its bounties.
RESOLVED, That the Democracy Of the coun.
try have neither the purpose nor desire t
re-establish slavery, nor to assume any por
tion of the debts of the States lately in re-
bellion