Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-08-03

The Democratic party, IN National Conven-
ton assembled. reposing its trust in the inteli
gence. patriotism and discrimin ating justice of
the people: standing upon the Constitution as
the foundation and Limitation of tho powers ~
tho Government and the guarantee Of the lib
critics of the citizen and recognizing the ques-
tions Of slavery and secession as hav ing 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. with the
return Of peace, demand,
l. Imm ediate restoration Of all the States to
their rights in the Union under the Constitu-
| ton and civil government OF tho Americin
2. Amnesty for all past political offenses, 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
practicable.
3. All money Srawn from the people bv tax
alton, except so much as is requisite for the ne
cessities Of the G9yernment, economiseaiiy ad-
payment, and where the obligations Of the Gov
ernment do not EXPIRE sly state upon their. face,
or the law under which they were. issued docs
not provide that they shall be paid IN coin, they
full money of the United States.
4. Equal taxation of every species ofproperty
according TO its real value; including Govern
5. One currency for the Government and the
people, the laborer and the oficeholder, the
pensioner and the soldier. the producer and
the b0ndh0lder. .fft
Government; the reduction of the standing
army and navy: the abolishment of the freed
mems bureau, and all political instrumental
plifcation of the system and the discontinuance
of inquisitorial boards for assessing and col
lectiDg internal revenue, so that the burden OF
taxation may be equaiized and lessened; the
credit of the Government and the currency
made good; the repeal of all enaetments for
enrolling the State militia into National forces
in time of peace !; a tarit for revenue upon
foreign imports. and such equal taxation under
the internal revenue laws as viii afford moi
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 Offices. the
abroeation Of useless offices. the restoration OF
riphtfu 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
S. Equal rights and protection for natural.
ized and patiye-born citizens at home and
abroad; an assertion Of American nationality,
which shall command the respect Of forei IN
powers, and furnish an example and encourage-
ment to people struggling for national integ-
rity. constitutional liberty and. individual
rights, and the maintenance OF the rights OF
trine OF immutable alleeiance.. and the claims
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 OF the Union under
the Constitution,
1t has repeatedly violated that most sacred
pledge under which was rallied that noble vol
unteer army. which carried our nag TO victory.
Instead of restoring the Union. 1t bas. so far
as in its power. dissolved it, and subjected ten
States in time Of peace to military despotism
II has nulliiiod there the right of trial byjnry.
1t has abolished the habeas corpus. that
most sacred writ Of liberty.
1t has oyerthrown the freedom OF speech and
ID has substituted arbitrary seizures and
arrests. and military trials and secret. star
Chamber inquisitions. for constitutional tri-
IL has disregarded in time of peace the right
Of the people to be FREQ from search and seiz-
ures.
and even the private rooms of individuals.
and seized their private papers and letters,
without any specification or notice OF affidavit,
as required by the organic law.
1t has converted the American capitol into
Il has established system Of .sniss and OFF,
cial espionage to which no constitutional moH-
archy Of Europe would now dare to resort
1t has abolished the risht OF appeal on i'm
p0rtant constitutional questions TO the SUI
IRENE Judiciary tribunal. and threatens 70
curtail or destroy its original lsrisdicton,
which is lrrevooably vested by the Vonsutu-
ton. while the learned Chief Justice has been
subjected TO the most atrociOus calumnies,
merely because he would not prostitute his
high Office TO the support Of the false and par
tisan charges preferred aGainet the President.
Its corruption aud extFavagance have ex-
ceeded anything known in history. and by its
frauds and monopolies u has nearly doubled
II has stripped the President Of his constitu-
tional power Of arpointment, even Of his own
cabinet. U.
Under It's repeated assaults the pillars Of the
Government are roeking on their base, and
should ID succeed in November next and inau-
ruraio lis President We will meet as subject
and conquered people amid the ruins Of lib
crty and the scattered fragments Of the Consti-
tuition; and We do declare and resolve that
ever since the people Of the lnited States
thrcv "a ali sukjeciion 70 the British Crown
the privilege and trust OF suffrage have be-
iongCd 70 the several States. and haye been
Granted. regulated. aud controlled exclusively
iy the political power of each state respect-
ively. and any attempt by Congress, on any
pretczt whatever. TO deprive any STATE Of this
right, or interfere with this exercise, is a ia
rrauf usurration Of power which can ind no
warrant in the Constitution. and. II sancllorcd
hy the people. viii subvert our torn cf SOY
crrmcrt and can only end in a single ceptral-
| i-ei. consolidated r1vernment. in which the
rrparaie exiEtcnce Of the States viii be entirely
.b.orhrd and an unqualified dcsrotism be
ssiahliIhsd in place of fedsr-i Union ef
eThst Ne regard the recoastracs.Ca acts Of
Conrress, so-called. a. lufurpatonss uneontti-