Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-08-20
THE PLATFORM.

tion assembled reposing its trust in the intelii-
qence, patriotism and discrimin atipg Justice OF
The people standing upon the ~ tha
the Government. and the guarantee OF the nb-
critics Of the citizen and recognising the ques-
tions Of slavery and secession as having been
settled for all time se tS come soytbcfp oy States IN
Constitutional Conventions assembled; ana
never TO be renewed or reagitated do. with the
return Of peace, demand. A.
l. Imn ediate restoration ef all the states 10
THAR rights in the Union under the Constitu u
tion and civil government OF the American
Amnesty for all past political ofenses, and
States by their citizens. and the payment Of the
public debt of the United States as rapidly rs
3. All money drawn from the people by tax
ation excepts 50 much as is requisite iar tnc M r.
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 zoe, noes
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
5. One currency for the Government and the
people, the laborer and the officeholder. the
pensoner and the soldier. the producer and
'D q 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 L supremacy m
of inquisitorial boards for assessing, and COT
lecting internal revenue, so that the burden OF
taxation may be eQualized 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 tariff for revenue upon
| foreign imports, and such equal taxation under
| the internal revenue laws as VIII anord mel
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 oil
| the country. ,..
| the expulsion of cerrupt men from offiees. the
abropation Of useless Offices, the restoration OF
rightful authority to, and the independence OF
the Executive and Judicial departments 81 tne
| Goyernment, the subordinstion of the militsry
| 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 Tor natural,
| ized and native-born citizens at home ana
abroad an assertion Of American nationality.
which shall command the respect oil forelzn
powers and furnish an example and encourage
ment to people strggg,ipg for nationad lnses
| riRhts, and the maintenance OF the rights OF
naturalized citizens against the absolute. doc
| trne 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 riqht, and the unparalleled oppression and
| tyranny which have marked its career, after
| the most folemn and unanimous pledge of both
| Houses of Congress to prosecute the war ex-
| clusively for the maintenance OF the govern
ment and tho preservation Of the Union under
IL has repeatedly violated that most sacred
pledge under which was rallied that noble vol
| unteer army, which carried our nag 10 victory.
Instead of restoring the Union. it has, SO lar
| as in its power, dissolved it. and subjected ten
| States in time of peace to military despotism
II has nuilifed there the right Of trial byjury.
| IL has abolished the babeas corpus, that
4 most sacred writ of liberty.
| 1t has overthrown the freedom OF speech ana
II has substituted arbitrary seizures and
/ arrests, and military trials and secret star
| Chamber inquisitions, fer CONSTITUTIONS tri-
II has disregarded in time Of peace the, right
of the people to be free from search and seis'
ures. oa,...
and even the private rooms Of iudiyiduals
and seized their private papers and Ie,teis'
| without any specification or notice OF afDdayit,
as required by the organic law.
| Ii mas cOnVeIteu tuo Aneiio"n e"fAN - :
ithas established a system Of spies and Off
ciai espionage to which no constitutional moh'
archy of Europe would now dare to resort.
1t has abolished the right OF appeal on im
portant constitutional questions to the su-
Ireme judiciary tribunal, and threatens te
curtail or destroy its original lurisdiction
which is irrcyocably vested by the tonsu.u
subjected 10 the most strocious calumnies
merely because he would not prostitute M
hieh Office 90 the support Of the false and par
tisan charges preferred against the Preslaent
Its corruption and sxtravagance nave ex
ceeded anything known in history, and ny u, ~
frauds and monopolies IL has nearly douDiec
the burden OF debt created during the war.
| II has stripped the President Of his consutu-
tional power Of app pointment. even Of his Owl
Under its repeated assaults the pillars Of III,
Government are rocking on their base, ans
| should Il succeed in November next and inau
| eurate its President we will meet as a suhjeo
and conquered people amid the ruins Of lib
| erty and the scattered fragments OF the Consti
tuition; and we dc declare and resolve tha
ever since the people Of the United State
threw OF ell suhjection 20 the British Crow
the privilege and trust OF suffrage have be
4 lonred 70 the several States. and have oeci
eranted. regulated. and controilea exclunser
81 the political power 4 each State respect
lively, and any attempt By Congress, on a.
| rrefexf whatever, 10 deprive any State Of TIN
| right. or interfere with this exercise. y a a
Franf usurpation Of power which can hnd NJ
warrant In the Constitution. and. II sanctione'
| bF the people. viii subyert our form OF SOY
| eminent, and can only end In q single Ger tral
iIed, consolidated Eoyenment, n which "
| ahsorbed. and an unqualified oozrQusm D
esfsblished in place Of a FEDERAL Union o
| equal States.
Thaf Ne rerard the recunstructiaa acts 9
| Coneresr. ao-called. Is iusurrationa. uncongtt
futiorai. revolutionary and void, ana that on
soidisrs and sailors who carried the ess q on