Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-09-10
THE PLATFORM,

|
The Democratic party, in National Conven-
| gencc. patriotism and discrimin atipg justice OF
the people: standing upon the Constitution as
the foundation and Limitation Of the powers Of
the Gov rnment and the guarantee of the lib
critics of the citizen and recogBizip the ques-
tions of tlavery and secession as sving been
settled for all time to come by the war or the
| voluntary action OF the Southern. States in
| Constitutional Conventions assembled. and
return Of peace, demand. " 2t
l. Imp ediate restoration Of all the States to
| their rights in the Union under the Coustit tu-
| tion and civil government of the Ar eric an
2. Amnesty for all past po'itical offenses, and
the regulation of the elective franchise In the
Ststes 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
ation except 50 much as is requisite for the ne
m:nistered, should be honestly applied tc such
payment, and where the obligations Of the Gov
erpment do not expressly. state upon thoiC face.
or the law under which they were issued does
ought. in right and Justice. be paid in the law
full MONEY Of the United States.
4. Equal taxation of every species of property
according to its real Ealue; including Govern
5. One currency for the Government and the
people. the laborer and the officeholder, the
nensioner and the soldier. the producer and
the bondholder.
s. 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
piificstion of the system and the di, ntinnance
of inquisitorial boards for assessing and coll
lectipg internal revenue, 80 that the burden of
taxation may be equalized and lessened I; the
credit of the Government and the currency
m
enrolling the State militia into National forces
in time of peace !. a tariff for revenue upon
foreign imports, and such equal taxation, under.
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
Z. Reform of abuses in the Administratiop,
the expulsion of crrupt men from Offices tho
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-
tions of Congress and the despotism Of the
s. Equal rights and protection for natural.
ized and native-born citizens at home and
abr ad an assertion OF American nationality,
which shall command tho respect OF foreiSn |
powers and furnish an example aud encourage |
ment to people struggling for national integ-- |
rity. constitutional liberty and indi ividual |
riahts. and the maintenance of the rights of |
naturalized citizens against tho obsolete. doc |
trine Of immutable allegiance. and the claims |
Of foreign powers to punish them for alleged |
crime committed beyond their jurisdiction.
In demanding these measures and reforms |
we arraHn the Radical party for its disregard
of riaht, and the unparalleled oppression and |
tyranny which have marked its career, after |
the most solemn and unanimous pledge OF both /
Houses of Congress 70 prosecute the war ex-
clusively fer the maintenance. of the govern
ment and the preservation Of the Union under |
the Constitution.
1t has repeatedly violated that most sacred
pledge under which was rallied that noble vol
Instead Of restoring the Union. II bas. 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 by jury.
IL he's abolished the habeas corpus. that
most sacred writ of liberty. fr
!, IT has overthrown the freedom ofsreeoh and
Ii has substituted arbitrary seizures and
arrests. and military trials and secret Star
Chamber inquisitions. fer constitutional tri-
II has disregarded in time Of peace the right
Of the people to bo free from search and seiE-
ures.
II has entered the post and telegraph Offices.
and and seized tn their private % papers and letters.
without any specification or notice Of AFFIDAVIT.
AZ required by the organic Law.
1t has converted the American capitol into
Z has established a system Of spies and OFF,
cial espionage to which no constitutional moR-
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 10
curteii OF destroy its original iurisdiction,
which Is irrevocsbly vested BY the Constitu-
ton. while the learn d Chief Justice has been
subjected TO the most atrocious calumnies,
merely because he would not prostitute his
high olace 20 the support Of the false and par
tisan charges preferred aEainet the President.
Its corruption and extravaganco have ex-
reedsd anything known in history. and By IFS
the burden Of debt created durinr the war.
II has stripped the President Of his constitu-
.isnsl power Of aPPoin'msn'. even Of his Own
iinder lis repea,ei assaults the pillars Of the
Government are rocking on their base, and
'hould N succeed In November next and iuau-
rurnfe lie President We viii meet as q subject
ind conquered people amid the runs ef lib ,
luton ard We Dc declare and resolve that
,vsr since the people OF the United Stnfcs
hrer of ali subsection q the British Crown ,
he privilege and trust Of FufraFe have be-
onrsd 70 The several siatel. sns btye heen
lranied. reru atea aud controlled exclusively {
" the political power a each STATE respeci- ,
vsly. and any attempt By Congress, on any
,rete1t whatever. 10 deprive any State Of this
ight. or intsrfre With this ezercife. y "a 9
warrant in the CorFtifution, and. II Eanctiored
" the people, viii rubvcrt our form Of foy- '
rnment, and can only end IN single Ger tral- q
red. eonfolIdated F.vernmeut. IN Witch the Z
lhsorbsd. and an unquallfed derrctism be :
stahishse In place Of fs1eral Union Of Z
TSsi We rsr.rd tSs rsooas,roesli, tes q
,onrsss, so-ealled. ss iururrstens. uneonfti- Z