Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-07-14
THE PLATFORM.


gencc. patriotism and discrimin ting 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 recognizing the ques-
tions of tlavery and secession as having been
settled for all time TO come by the war or the
voluntary action Of the Southern, States in
Constitutional Conventions assembled, and
never TO be renewed or reagitated DO, Win the
return Of peace, demand.
1. Immediate restoration ef all the States to
their rights in the Union under the Constitu-
ton and civil government OF the American
people. -
2. Amnesty for all past political offensess, 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
8. All money drawn from the people by tax
alton. except so much as is requisite for the ne
cessities of the Government, economically ad-
m;nstered, should be honestly applied to such
payment and where the obligations of the Gov
ernment do not expire .sy, 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.
A. Equal taxation of every species OF property
according to its real value. including Govern
ment bonds, and other public securities.
S. One currency for the Government and the
people, the laborer and the offceholder, the
pensioner and tho 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
plifcation Of the system and the discontinnance
of inqusitorial boards for assessing and col
lectipg Internal revenue, SO that the burden OF
credit of the Government and the currency
made good tho repeal of all enactments for
enrolling the State militia into National forces
n --.G r..
in time. of peace IA tarln LOT revenue s upon upon
the internal revenue laws as viii 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.
the expulsion of ertupt men from ofices. the
abrogation of useless offices, the restoration OF
rightful authority to. and the independence OF
the Executive and Judicial departments 0i the
Government, the subordination OF the military
TO tho civil power to the end that the usurna-
tions of Congress and tho despotism OF the
sword may cease.
8. Equal rights and protection for natural,
lied and tive-born citizens at home ana
abroad an assertion of American nationality,
which shall command the respect OIL lorelLh
powers and furnish an example and encourage
mcnt to people struggling for national, integ,,
rity, constitutional liberty and indlylduai
rights, and the maintenance OF the rights OF
trine of immutable allegiance, and the claims
of foreign powers to punish them TOR alleged
crime committed beyond their jurisdiction.
In demanding these measures and reforms
we arraign the Radical party for its di'regard
of rieht, and the unparalleled oppression and
tyranny which have marked its career, aiter
the most solemn and unanimous pledge OF Dstn
Houses of Congress to prosecute the war ex-
clusively for tho maintenance OF the govern
ment and the preservation Of the Union under
the Constitution.
II has repeatedly violated that most sacred
pledge under which was rallied that noble vol
unteer armv. which carried our nag to victory.
Instead Of restoring the Union. it bas, SO far
as in its power, dissolved it. and subjected ten
States in time of peace to military despotism
and negro supremacy,
1t has nulliied there the rieht trial by Jury.
II has abolished the habeas corpus, that
most sacred writ of liberty.
1t has oyerthrown the freedom OF speech and
| the press. IA
arrests. and military trials and secret, Star
| Chamber inquisitions, for constitutional ul-
bunals. Ar. -;.h,
of the people to be free IRON search ana seiz-
ures.
II has entered the most and telegraph oi1ces'
| and even the private rooms Of indlyianals'
| and seized their private papers and Ie.teIs'
| without any specification or notice oil andaVit'
| as required by the organic law.
| 1t has converted the American capitoi INTO
IL has established system of spies and off,
| cial espionage 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 to the SUI
i preme judiciary tribunal, ana tnreatehs 70
/ curtail OF destroy its original lurls solcuon,
| which is irrevOcably vested by the Constitu
| ton, while the learned Chief Justice has been
| subjected to the most atrociOus calumnies,
merely because he would not prostitute MS
| high ofioa 70 the support Of the false and par
| tisan charges preferred against the President.
| Its corruption and extravagance have ex-
ceedod anything known in history, and by lt.
frauds and monopolies IL has nearly doubled
/ the burden Of debt created during the war.
| II has stripped the President Of his constitu-
tional power Of appointment, even Of his own
i cabinet.
Government are rocking on their base. and
should Il succeed in November next and inau.
| eurate its President we will meet as SUBJECT
| and conquered people amid me runs OF no-
eriy and the scattered fragments OF the Consu-
tuition, aud we do declare and resolve that
| ever since the people of the United states
| threw of all subsection 70 the British C1srn
| the privilege and trust Of suffrage have be-
| loueed TO the several States. and haye been
Granted. regulated. and controlled exclusiyely
iyely, and any attempt by Congress, on any
| nretext whatever, 10 deprive any State of tins
| r;Cht- or interfere with this exercise. is Ia
| rant usurpation Of power which can Ind nc
warrant in the COnstitution. and, i sanet,onea
hS Ire people, viii subvert our form OF COY
1 e,,,nent. and can only end in single central
| s-ci confolidatcd government, IN which the
.-rs-.tc existence Of the States will be entirely
| .L.o-hrd. and an unqualified de.potitm bs
sstahIished iu place Of a Federal Union o.
eSTqha; eva ~ rernrd The reoonstructieh seis O
ccnrress. so.called, as usurratiOns, unconst,-