Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-08-14
HOW THE PLATFORM WAS MADE
AND WHAT 1T MEANS.

ton, told how the democratic Platform was
made and declared that it meant precisely
the same as Blair's letter to Broadhead.
The Montgomery Mail tells, in about the
same terms, how the platform was made and
what it means, upon both the currency and
reconstruction questions. Hear how the
Democracy themselves interpret the plat
form:
"a Committee upon Resolutions of one
from each state was selected, and this COM
nittee appointed snb-eommittee to draw up
a platform. When the platform was repor-
ted to the full committee it was not satisfac-
tory, but was cut all to pieces, and a num-
Der Of resolutions proposed by various gentle
men were substituted in place Of the report
of the subcommittee. The committee was
in session all night, adjourning at daybreak.
The different propositions as adopted were
then moulded into the form as presented to
and adopted by the Convention. 1t is proper
TO say that THE PENDLETONIAN DOC
TRINE AS REGARDS THE CURRENCY
WAS ONE OF THE PROPOSITIONS
WHICH CAME FROM THE SUB-C0M.
MITTEE. THERE WAS NO DIFFER
ENCE OF SENTIMENT ON THAT SUB
JECT. When the committee came to con
slider the reconstruction question, il was
deemed proper to simply declare the present
governments at the South, unconstitutional,
null and void. But at the same time the COM
mittee, with but single dissenting voice,
acknowledged THAT THE REMEDY FOR
THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL PROCEED
INGS AT THE SOUTH WOULD REST
WITH THE EXECUTIVE. THE SENfI.
MENT OF THE COMMITTEE AND con-
| VENTION UPON THE QUESTION OF
! THE REMEDY AGREED WITH THE
DECLARATION OF GENERAL BLAIR,
AND WAS SATISFACTORY To EVERY
SOUTHERN DELEGATE.
Il always has been and still is characters
tic of he.Democratic party to make ambigu-
Gus platforms, susceptible of being construed
to suit any locality. But at the same time,
in case of success the Southern interpreta-
ton is always adopted This is an estab-
lished rule from which there has been no
variation in the history of the party. 1t
was closely adhered to at New York, and
now the speakers of the party are, as usual,
constituting it to suit the popular sentiment
Of each locality In many parts of the
North, they deny that It endorses repudia-
ton At the South, they openly advocate
reputation, and openly declare that it is a
plank of the platform. As matter of
course the platform was made ambiguous
this point for the express purpose of
affording an opportunity for double-dealing.
The same assertion holds good in regard to
reconstruction and the same equivocal,
hypoeritical policy is pursued on this vital
question This is the true Democratic elec
tioneering trickery; they never were, nor
will they ever be, honest and straight-for-
ward in their course. But there need be
no doubt as to what their policy viii be if
they succeed. The Southern construction
of the platform viii be adopted throughout.
The Mail truly says: ''THE PENDLEToNIAN
DOCTRINE AS REGARDS THE CURRENCY WAS
ONE OF THE PROPOSITIONS WHICH CAME
FROM THE SUBCOMMITTEE. THERE WAS
NO DIFFERENCE OF SENTIMENT ON THAT
SUBJECT" Honest men take notice! There
was no difference of sentiment on the Pen
dleton-repudiation doctrine; but the people
must be kept in the dark. 1t wouldn't do
to put it, fair and square and honest, in the
platform. All doubt viii very soon be dis
PEELED if they once carry the elections. The
Southern view, the Pendleton reputation
policy, viii at once be boldly declared
The same knavish hypocritical policy has
been followed on the reconstruction ques-
ton. A general and equivocal declaration,
mixed with laudation of rebel and hypocrit-
ical professions of friendship for Union
soldiers is all that appears. 1t too is in
tended for fraud and deception. But the
Mail puts it squarely: THEco2nnTTEE WITH
But A SINGLE DISSENTING VOICE ACKNowL-
EDGED THAT THE REMEDY FOR THE UNcoN-
sTITUToNAL PROCEEDINGS AT THE SOUTH
WOULD REST WITH THE EXECUTIVE. THE
SENTIMENT OF TIE COMMITTEE AND Con
vENTIoN UPON THE QUESTION OF THE REM
EDY AGREED WITH THE DECLARATION OF
GEN. BLAIR, AND WAS SATISFACTORY TO
EVERY SOUTHERN DELEGATE
What we're General Blair views? He
had at this time expressed none except
those of the notorious Broadhead letter.
Let honest men read and ponder those
views Hear him:
We cannot, therefore undo the Radical
plan of Reconstruction by Congressional
action; the Senate will continue bar to its
repeal Must we submit to it How can it
be overthrown? 1t can only be overthrown
by the authority Of the Executive.
There is but one way to restore the Gov
ernment and the Constitution, and that is for
the PresideRt-eIect 10 declare these acts null
and Uoid, compel the army to undo its usltr-
pdti0ns at the South, disperse the carpet baq
9Stttc tttJtN Tue " itttC CDptc ~
re- organize their 01oH governments, and elect
Senator's and Representatives.
We must restore the Constitution before
we can restore the finances, and to do this
WE MUST HAVE A PRESIDENT WHO
WILL EXECUTE THE WILL OF THE
PEOPLE BY TRAMPLING INTO DUST
THE USURPATION OF CONGRESS,
KNOWN AS THE RECONSTRUCTION
ACTS. wish to stand before the Conven,
ton upon this issue
This is the Democratic Platform as the
Committee and the Convention understood
it, and as the party expects to carry it out, if
successful in the coming Presidential elec-
ion Thav did NOT d.ro n nrt = IN The