Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-09-16
THE PLATFORM.


The Democratic party, in National Conven
tion assembled reposing its trust in the intelli
eence, patriotism and discrimin eting justice o
the people. standing upon the Constitution a
the foundation and limitation Of the powers .
the Govsrnment. and the guarantee Of the lib
critics of the citizen and recognising the ques
tions Of slavery and secession as having beei
settled for all time to come by the war or th'
| voluntary action of the Southern States II
Constitutional Conventions assembled. and
| never to be renewed or reagitated do, with tht
return Of peace. demand.
/. Imm ediate restoration of all the States tt
| their rights in the Union under the Consti tu-
tion and civil government of the American
people.
| the regulate of the elective franchise In thu
States by their citizens, and the payment Of the
| public debt of the United States as rapidly al
| practicable.
8. All money 1rawn from tho people by tax
| ation except 80 much as is requisite for the ne
cesstics of the Government. economically ad-
| m;nistered, should be honestly applied to such
! payment, and where the obligations ofthe Gov
| erpment do not expressly state upon their face
not provide that they shall be paid IL cein. they
| ought, in right and ustice, be paid in the law
| full mon y Of the United States.
4. Equal taxation of fevery species of Property
| according to its real value. including Govern
ment bonds, and other public securities.
5. One currency for the Government and the
| people, the laborer and the oficeholder, the
pensioner and the soldier. the producer and
| the bOndholder.
g. Economy in the administration of the
| Government; the reduction of the standing
army and navy; the aboIishment OF the freed
mems bureau, and all political instrumental
pliication of the system and the dis tinuance
of inqusitorial boards for assessing and col
lecting internal revenue, 20 that the burden OF
taxation may be equalized and lessened; the
= H. Ank and thA rnrr
made good the repeal of all enactments for
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
the country.
!. Reform of abuses in the Administration,
the expulsion of errupt men from Offices. the
abroRation of useless offices, the restoration Of
rightful authority to, and the independence 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
sword may cease.
ized and natve-born citizens at home and
abrc ad an assertion of American nationality,
which shall command the respect OF foreisn
powers, ,and furnish an example and encourage
rity. constitutional liberty and. individual
riehts and the maintenance of the rights of
naturalized citizens against the obsolete doc
trine of immutable Allegiance, and the claim,
of foreign powers to punish them for alleged
crime committed beyond their jurisdiction.
In demanding these measures and reforms
we arraign the Radical party for its disregard
of right and the unparalleled oppression and
tyranny which have marked its career. after
the most solemn and unanimous pledge OF both
Houses of Congress to prosecute the war ex-
clusively fer the maintenance, Of the govern
ment and the preservation ofthe Union under
1t has repeatedly violated that most sacred
pledge under which was rallied that noble vol
unteer army, which carried our flag to victory.
Instead of restoring the Union, it has. so far
as in its power. dissolved it, and subjected ten
States In time of peace to military despotism
and negro supremacy.
It has nuliaed there the right oftrial byjyry.
most sacred writ of liberty.
. 1t has oyerthrown the freedom of speech and
1t has substituted arbitrary seizures and
arrests. and military trials and secret Star
Chamber inquisitions, for constitutional tri-
II has disregarded in time of peace the right
of the people to be free from search and seiz-
ures.
II has entered the post and telegraph offices,
and even the private rooms Of individuals,
and seized their private papers and letters,
without any specification or notice OF AFFIDAVIT,
ae required by the organic law.
1t has converted the American capitol into
bastile.
4 has established 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 inn
portant constitutional questions 10 the su-
preme judiciary tribunal, and threatens to
cITtS E!sb or destroy its original urrsdlct9n
ton, while the learned Chief Justice has been
subjected TO the most atroci0us calumnies,
merely because he would not prostitute his
high Office TO the support Of the false and par
tisan charges preferred against the President.
Its corruption and extravsgance have ex-
ceeded anything known in history, and by its
frauds and monopolies IL has nearly doubled
the burden Of debt created during the war.
Il has stripped the President Of his constitu-
tional power OF appointment, even Of his own
cabinet.
should Il succeed in November next and inau-
gurate its President We will meet as subject
and conquered people amid the ruins Of lib |
erty and the scattered fragments Of the Constr |
tuition: and We do declare and resolve that |
ever since the people Of the United States |
threw of all suhjection 20 the British Crown |
the privilege and trust Of sufrage have be- /
granted. regulated. and controlled exclusively |
~ the political power q each State respect
lively. and any attempt By Congress. on any /
nretext " hatever. TO DEPRIVE any State Of this
right. OF interfere with this exercise. is da-
grant uaurpatinn Of Toucr which can ind no /
warrant In the Corstit1tion. and. II sanctioned
hy the people. will subvert our form Of goy-
cruDent, aHd ean anly tn1 IL : slneie cen lral-
lied. confclidaied eovCrnmeut, IN which The
separate etisterce of ths States will be entirely
absorbed. sad an unqualified derrotism Be |
ssiahlished IN place Of feasrli Union Of
That We regard the reconstruesi,n acts Of
Ccnrrets. fo-calied. ~ usurpntiung. ulcnnaff-
eoldieTs and spilofa Fho carried the fsr oI our
county % virfory arainft = most Faliant ard