The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1868-09-09
THE APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE.
PLATFORM OF THE DEMOC-
RACY OF OHIO, ADOPTED
JANUARY 8, 1868.

f RESOLVED, 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 o the result of
that momentous struggle, and upon
which depends, in so great a degree,
the future peace and prosperity of the
Union.
Resoloed, That, unalterably oppos-
d to the doctrines which lead to con-
soliiation, we renew with unflagging
zeal and increased energy, u attach
ment to that political creed which has
ever been so staunchly adhered to by
our organization through days of troub-
lie and disaster, as well as good fortune
and prosperity, which was thus ex-
pressed by Thomas Jefferson equal
and exact justice to all men, of what
ever state or persuasion-religious OF
political-peace, commerce and honest
friendship with all nations, entangling
alliances with none; the support Of the
State Government in all their rights,
as the most competent administration
of our domestic concerns and the sur
est bulwark against anti-republicAr
tendencies ; the preservation of the
General Government 10 its whole con
stitutional vigor as the sheet anchor of
peace at home and safety abroad ; a
jealo@ care of the rights of elections
by the people; and the supremacy of
the civil. over the military authority"
RESOLVED, Tha. we condemn the
legislative usurpations of Congress,
aud particularly the several ais of re-
construction so called, as violative of
the Constitutional compact between
the States, and as utterly subersiVe of
every principle of self government
that distinguishes q free people.
ResozUed, That we are opposed to
any measures which recognize that
the integrity of the Union was ever
,broke1-that any Of its members were
ever out, and that We dsterminedly re.
sist that the Southern States no longer
being in Instruction, or at war, with
the Federal Government, are entitled
to the full State recognition and on
stitEtional representation in Congress,
and the electoral colleges givee to all
the States, and the denial off I to them
BY Congress, and its efforts to dictate
by military force a goyernueat for.
them are unconstitutional, revolution
airy and despotic.
ResolUed, That we are opposed both
in principle and policy, to negro suf-
frage ; that the State of Ohio-having
by the emphatic majority of SO, 1000 re-
jected it for herself it is sternly op-
posed to its forced imposition upon
other States, and that We stignatize
such an imposition by the Federal
Government as q most base usurpa-I
ton.
Resolved, That the practical effect
of the SO called Reconstruction act of
Congress is to deliver over ten States
to the political and social control Of ne
groes and to place the lives, liberties.
and fortunes of the Whites residing.
therein, in the hands of q barbarousI
people, an that it would inevitable
lead either war of races or to the
Authorization Of the South. 4
Resolved, That Notwithstanding the
enormous and conceded frauds in the
creation Of the public debt, the faith
of the country is pledged to its pay.
ment, principal and interest, accord
ing to the terms of the several acts of
Congress, under which the bonds rep
resenting the debt were issued, but
not otherwise, and we are opposed to
any plan for extending the times of
payment, thus increasing the amount
of gold interest TO more than the prin
cipal, or to any declaration by Congress
that the principal is payable in gold,
which would virtually add more than