Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1868-01-24
The Democratic Platform of the
Eighth Of January.

When the time arrives for a party to
define the principles and policy 1t pro-
poses to apply in governing country,
il undertakes a very delicate and dltn-
cult task. This is especially true where,
as in the case of the Democratic party,
it has drifted along for a series Of years,
a minority, opposing to the policy Of
the majority a series of mere negatives. ]
It can no longer generaltEe; 1t must go ]
into details, and inform the people by |
what measures it is determined to car !
ry out.
This the authors of the resolutions !
adopted at Columbus, on the Sth, un- |
dOubtedly think they have done, but /
careful examination of them VIII not |
more enlighten US as to the future pur-
pose and practice Of the party than q
hundred similar vague declarations Z
adopted in primary meetings and cOun-
tv conventions. In justice we should
except the resolutions relating to f.
nance, which are reasonably eIplcU,
and give us clearly to understand what
measures the Democracy will take to
reduce the interest, pay on the bonds,
retire the National Bank currency, and
ultimately extinguish the debt incurred
during the war. If it were settled that
the Republicans would squarely oppose
the policy thus set forth, demand the
pavment of the entire bonded indebted
ness, principal and interest, in gold,
and insist that such bonds shall be
shielded from State taxation, the oppo-
sing party might hope to strengthen
itself with the people by the announce
ment of a financial scheme that prOmia
ses so much, whatever il may prove to
contain. But il does not appear that
strict party issue could be made on the
preeuback question There are leading
radical Republicans ready to go as far
as Mr.. PenGletOn in the direction he
has taken on this question, and there
are influential Democrats who as tena-
ciously adhere to the understood terms
on which the loans to the Government
made as Mr.. Spinner himself IL is not
impossible that, by the time the great
National Conventions meet, the green
back and bond policy of the Republt-
cans and Democrats Will besubstanual-
" the same, and that, If an issue Us TO
be made on that question, the latter VIII [
have to take the course which 10 mas |
been predicted IL would, and frankly |
declare itself in favor of tiut repudiaton. I
With this exception, we look in vain I
for anv definition of measures. There /
is a general denial of constitutional I
warrant for the reconstruction acts OF /
Congress, but no suggestion OF the I
measures the Democracy would adopt I
to bring the States back to their place iu /
the Union. Indeed, we have the curious 4
assertiOn-remembe bering the position OF I
the Democracy OF Ohio on the question l
heretofore-that there has been, and can /
nothing is needed preliminary TO their I
fun REPRESENTATION in the Congress but I
conformation with existing regulations Z
for an election. This position lis taken /
in order TO Immediately relieve the /
States and the people thereof (in the in /
terest of Democracy of all political or
civil disabilities, just as, seven years
ago, it was maintained that the act OF
secession was the exercise of n reserved /
State right, in order TO put the rebels on /
the vantage ground Of belliWrents, and
shield them from the penal consequen-
ces oftreason. A more complete stulu- /
faction of itself was never made by any
political party; and we may be sure the [
Vallandigham wing OF the Ohio DEM (
ooraey will never ratify resolution Z
which puts so emphatic IA Condcmna- I
ton on a doctrine dear TO the heart OF I
every Kentucky Democrat.
The question of negro suffrage has I
been settled in Ohio and most Northern I
States for some years TO come, The Z
people are opposed to it, ns the tremen- 4
dous maioriiies, wherever tho question f
has been submitted, deoisively declare. /.
Republicans have Joined hands with
Democrats I'M its condemnation. lt can 1
not be made an issue in the coming
campaign, except as 90 the Southern
States. There are thousands who voted
against colored suffrage In Ohio where
the laws are so liberal as to secure the