Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-08-19
THE PLATFORM.

gence, patriotism and discrimin stipg justice of
the people standing upon the Constitution as
| the foundation and limitation Of the powers Of
| the Government, and the guarantee OF the lib
critics Of the citizen and recognising the ques-
| tions of slavery and secession as having been
for all time S sSs come oy the wsf 81
| Constitutional Conventions assembled. and
never to be renewed or reagitated do. with the
| return of peace, demand.
l. Imu ediate restoration of all the States to
their rights in the Union under the Constitu-
ton and civil government Of the American
people. 49,. &,
| the regulation of the electivefranchise in the
States by their citizens, and the payment Of the
public debt of the United States as rapidly as
practicable.
3. All money drawn from tho people by tax
alton. except so much as is requisite for the ne
cessities of the Government. economically ad-
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 does
not provide that they shall be paid IL coin they
ought in right and ju stice, 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 GoverR-
ment bonds. and other public securities.
s. One currency for the Government and the
people, the laborer and the officeholder, the
pensioner 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 ditcontinuance
of inquisitorial boards for assessing and col
lecting internal revenue, 90 that the burden OF
credit rei Of The the q Government and the currency
made good the repeal of all enactments for
enrolling the State militia into National forces
in time of peace a tariff for revenue upon
.nl al ta0 xlns
the internal revenue laws as 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.
7. Reform of abuses in the Administration.
the expulsion of corrupt men from Offices. the
abroeation Of useless offices. the restoration Of
the Executive and Judicial departments Of the
Government. the subordination of the military
to the civil power to the end that the usurpa-
tious of Congress and the despotism of the
s. Equal rights and protection for natural.
lied and native-born citizens at home and
abrc ad !; an assertion OF American nationality,
which shall command the respect OF FOREIGN
powers, and furnish an example and encourage
ment TO people struggling for national integ-
rity, constitutional liberty and, individual
RIGHTS. and tho maintenance, of the rights of
naturalzed 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.
we arreign % The Radical % party for its disregard
of risht, and the unparalleled oppression and
tyranny which have marked its career. after
the most solemn and unanimous pledge OF beth
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.
Ithas repeatedly violated that most sacred
L. ...k lad hat
unteer army. which carried our flag to victory.
Instead of restoring the Union, Il 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 of trial byjury.
II has abolished the habeas corpus. that
most sacred writ Of liberty.
1t has overthrow the freedom Of speech and
II has substituted arbitrary seizures and
arrests. and military trials and secret Star
Chamber inquisitions, for constitutional tri-
bunals.
IL has disregarded in time Of peace the right
Of the people to be FREQ from search and seiz-
ures.
and even the private rooms OF individuals,
and seized their private papers and letters.
without any specification OF notice OF afbdavit'
as required by the organic law.
1t has converted the American capitol intoa
bastile. .
II has established system of spies and off,
ciai espionaee TO which no constitutional moA-
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 to
curtail or destroy its original iurisdiction,
which Is irrevocably vested by the Constitu-
ton. while the learn,d Chief Justice has been |
subjected TO the most atrocious calumnies,
merely because he weuld not prostitute his
high Office 20 the support Of the false and par |
tisan charges preferred AGAINST the President. |
it corruption and extravagance have ex- |
ceeded anything known in history, and BY iis |
frauds and monopolies IL has nearly doubled |
the burden OF debt created during the war.
II has stripped the President OF his corstitu- |
tional power Of appointment. even Of his own |
cabinet.
Under its repeated assaults the pillars Of the |
Government are rocking on their base, and |
should II succeed in November next and inau-
Eurate its President we will meet as a subject |
erty and The scattered fragments Of the C,ssti- |
tuition and We dc declare and resolve that |
ever eince the people Of the United States |
threw Cd all subsection q the British Crown |
the privilege and trust OF rufrago. have. be- |
ionecd to the several States. and have been |
granted. regulated. and controlled exclusively /
hy the political power n each State respect /
ively. and any attempt By ConEress, on any |
pretoxt whatoyer. 10 deprive any State Of this /
right. or interfere With this exercise. is . Ia /
grant usurratton of power which can md no /
warrant IN the Constitution. and, II sanctioned /
BY the people. viii subsert our form Of SOY
eminent. and can only end In . single Ger tral-
ired. cou1olidstsi Eoverumcut. in which the
erparate existence on the States will be entirely
Absorbed. ana an unquahfed derrotism be Il
eEintlished in place Of fedcrsi Onioa of
Tbas We regard the recoastrucsisa acts Of
Corrrers. so-called. a. fururpationa. unconsfi-
tuiional rsvoluiiona-yNnd void, and that Cur
roidisrs and sailors Who carried the fag of or
l.S~~-frs1 foe rrrrt errr b rrrfafuIlr ~