Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-07-25
THE PLATFORM.

tion assembled, reposing its trust in the intelli
gence, patriotism and discrimin ting Justice OF
the people: standing upon the Copstitution 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-
tions of slavery and secession as having been
settled for all time e come oy the wsf ar me a;
Constitutional Conventions assembled. and
never to be renewed or reagitated; do. with the
return of peace, demand.
]. Immediate restoration ef all the states 70
their rights in the Union under the Constitu-
tion and civil government of the American
people. go.
2. Amnesty for all past political offenses, and
the regulation q the elective franchise IN q ne
public debt of the United States as rapidly as
practicable.
8. All money drawn from the people BY tax
alton. except so much as IS REQUISITE ior me ne
m,nistered, should be honestly applied to such
payment, and where the obligations of the Gov
ernment do not expressly state upon their face,
oot OF tps pGosde that they % shall paid il csn
ought. in right and justice. be paid in the law
full money Of the United States. M
4. Equal taxation Of fevery species OF ofproperty
to its ref eber nasc
5, One currency for the Government and the
people, the laborer and the officeholder, the
pensioner and the soldier. the producer and
6. Economy in the administration of the
Government; tho reduction Of the standing
army and navy the abolishment of the freed
mems bureau, and all political instrumental
pIifcation of the system and the discontinuance
of inquisitorial boards for assessing and col
Letting 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
in time of peace /. a tarif for revenue upon
foreign imports, and such equal taxation under
the internal revenue laws rs 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. .
I. Reform of abuses in the Administration,
the expulsion of corrupt men from offces. the
abropation of useless Offices the restoration OF
riehtful authority to, and the independence OF
the Executive and Judicial departments OF the
Government. the subordination Of the military
10 the civil power to the end that the usurpa-
tions of Congress and the despotism OF the
sword may cease.
lied and native-born citizens at home and
abroad an assertion Of American nationality,
which shall command the respect oil forelxn
powers and furnish an example and encourage
ment TO people struggling for national integ.
rity, constitutional liberty and indlyiduai
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 jurisdicuon.
In demanding these measures and reforms
we arraign the Radical party for It's disregare q
| of right, 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 for the maintenance OF the govern
ment and the preservation ofthe Union under
| TIM 0onetitutiOn. a %
| IL has repeatedly violated that most sacred
pledge under which was rallied that noble vol
unteer army. which carried our nag 70 vietery.
Instead Of restoring the Union. it has, 50 lar
| as in its power dissolved it. and subjected ten
States in time of peace to military despotlsm
| and negro supremacy.
| IL has abolished the habeas corpus, that
| most sacred writ of liberty.
| 1t has overthrown the freedom OF speech ana
/ the press. -
arrests, and military trials and secret Star
| Chamber inquisitions, fer constitutional tri-
II has disregsrded in time of peace the, right
of the people to be free from search and seiz'
| n has entered the most and telegraph Offices
| and even the private rooms Of indiviauals
and seized their private papers and letters
| without any specification OF notice OIL amdaVlt
as required by the organic law.
II has converted the American capitol into
IL has established a system of spies and ofii-
cial espionage TO which no constitutional moh'
archy Of Europe would now dare to resort.
1t has abolished the right Of appeal on I'M
portant constitutional questions TO the sn.
preme Judiciary tribunal. and threatens Y
| curtail or destroy its original luri,ulc.i.on
| which Is irrevocaby vested By the Sonsuta
ton. while the LEARNED Chief ustice has oeet
subjected to the most atrocious calumnies
| merely because ho would not prostitute nn
| high Office 10 the support Of the false and par
tisan charges preferred against the President
Its corruption and extravagance have ex
| ceeded anything known in history, and by ~
| frauds and InonopOlies II has nearly aoublot
tho burden Of debt created during the war.
Tt has stripped tht President Of his constitu
tional power Of appointment even Of his owl
Hinder i,s repeated assaults the pillars Of IN
| Government are rocking on their base, an
should il succeed in November next and inau
gurate its President We viii meet az s1olec
and conquered people amid the runs 81 ho
erty and the scattered fragments OF the Consti
tuition and We De declare and resolve tha
ever since the people Of the United State
threw of all suhjection 70 the British crow
tke privilege and trust Of suffrage have be
lonred 10 the several States. and have heei
granted. refniateds and controlled excluslEer
lively. and any attempt By Congress, on a.
rretert whatevcr. 20 deprive any State OF tn
right or interfere with this exercise. u a 10
eranf usurpation Of power which can hnd n
| warrant in the Corstitrtion. and. II Eanctiur e
hy the people. viii subsert our TORN Of TOY
ernment, and can only end In single ceR tral
| irei, consolidated fuyernmeut. in which ~
separate existence Of The states viii Be entirer
ahsorbed. and IN unqualified de.rQtifm b
established in pls>- 81 federA Union
9Ttss e9rtt " Sr.r.rd the feconsirussica acts .
Conrres1, ro-callsd, a. fusurpelicnfs unconfti