Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-07-28
THE PLATFORM.

ton assembled, reposing its trust IN tne lntehi
gence. patriotism and discrimin ating justice OF
the people: standing upon the Constitution as
the foundation and limitation of the powers 81
the Government and the guarantee OF the lib
critics Of the citizen and RECOGNISING the ques.
settled for all time TO come by the war or the
voluntary action of the Southern States in
Constitutional Conventions assembled. ana ni
never to be renewed or reagitated; do. with the
return of peace, demand,
/. Imm ediate restoration of all the States to
their rights in the Union under the C0nsti tu-
tion and civil government OF the American
people. ~ M al.t4A ZAP
2. Amnesty for all past political offenses, and
the regulation Of the elective franchise in the
States by their citizens. and the payment of the
public debt of the United States as rapidly as
practicable.
8. All money drawn from the people bv tax
alton, except so much as is requisite for the ne
cessities of the Government, economically adj
minstered, 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 does
not provide that they shall be paid IL 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.
5. One currency for the Government and the
pensioner and the soldier. the producer and
the bondh0lder.
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
plifcation Of the system and the discontinuance
Of inquisitorial boards for assessing and COL
lectipg 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
T.. &c ortH fpr \ mn
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
the country. rftJ
Z. Reform of abuses in the Administration,
the ss of be
riahtful 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-
sword may cease. ~
s. EQUAL rights and protection for natural.
lied and native-born citizens at home and
abroad |; an assertion of American nationality,
which shall command the respect of foreign
powers and furnish an example and encourages
ment to people struggling for national integ,
rity. constitutional liberty and, indiyidual
rights, and the maintenance of the rights OF
naturalized citizens against the absolute doc
trine 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 riRht, and the unparalleled. oppression and
tyranny which have marked its career, alter
the most solemn and unanimous pledge OF petn
Houses Of Congress to prosecute the war ex-
clusively fer the maintenance Of the govern
ment and the preservation OF the Union under
the Constitution. !,
pledge under which was rallied that noble vol
upteer 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
II has nulified there the right of trial by jury.
1t has abolished the haheas corpus, that
most sacred writ of liberty.
1t has overthrow the freedom Of speech and
| IL has substituted arbitrary seizures and
| arrests, and military trials and secret Star
| Chamber inquisitions, for constitutional tn
IL has disregarded in time of peace the, right
of the people to be free from search and seiz-
ures.
| and even the private rooms Of indiyiduais,
and seized their private papers and le,teis'
without any specification OF notice OF affidavit,
| as required by the organic law.
1t has converted the American capitol into
| bastile.
Ii has established system Of spies and ON
| cial espionare TO which no constitutional mon
archy Of Europe would now dare to resort
It has abolished the right Of appeal on I'M
| portant constitutional questions 10 tne su-
preme judiciary tribunal. and threatens 70
curtail or destroy its original larisdlcnVn, I,
| which Is irrevocably vested BY the Consttu
| tion. while the learned Chief Justice mas been
| subjected TO the most atrocious calumnles,
merely because he would net prostitute hls
high Office % the support Of the false and par
| tisan charges preferred AGAINST the President.
Its corruption and extrayagance have ex-
ceedod anything known in history, and by ".
| frauds and monopolies II has nearly doubled
| the burden Of debt created during the war.
| II has stripped ths President Of his constitu-
tional power Of app ointment. even Of his own
Tnasr us repeated assaults the pillars Of the
/ Government are rocking on their base, and
| should Il succeed in November next and inau-
and conquered people amid the.ruins ef lib
/ erty and the scattered fragments Of the Constr
/ tuition; and We de declare and resolve that
| ever since the people Of the United states
/ threw on all Fuhjection % the Brtsh Crown
the privilege and trust oi sanrase nave & os.
| granted. reeu iatcd. and controlled exelnslyely
/ 81 the political power q each etate respeci-
i irely, and any attempt BY Congress, on any
rrefert whatever, 20 deprive any state OF ms
right or interfere With this s1ercise. e "a "a "a
Il ersnt usurpation Of power which can hnd ne
warrant In the Constitution, and, 4 sanctiored
i Nv the people. will Eubrert our form of ror-
/ ernment and can only end In a single centr.l-
irri. eonsolidatsd Foverument N which the
1eparnte existence OF the eta,es Wi be en .rsl
ssfabIishsa IN place Of fsSsrI Union q
e9fs.s 81, S 1e r.rard The reeonssrss,;sa acts q
! Congress. ss-callsd, as iuIurpatenf, rneeHsii-