The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-07-08
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1868.
The Platform of the Democracy.

form adopted by the Democrat: National Con-
yention yesterday, no one can complain Of any
vagaries, any avoidance tissue, any symbolic
expression, which can be- read both ways. 1t
is singularly, it is UNANIMOUSLY clear. 1t will
disappoint large number of our citizens, but
1t does 30 with such unmistakable irmness as
to gainsay no questioning If the trainers had
sought to drive back to the Republican party
every man who has exhibited tendency to
wander after strange gods, and had sought to
estrange all allies, they could not have derived
more effectual means of accomplishing such
an issue. We have heard for weeks past
that the Democracy was awake to the new
and living issues of the day, and that in the
platform would be grated ideas which could
we'll deserve the name of Democratic" The
result has proved that the party q not
moving body. There is no sentiment so far
as suffrage is concerned, enunciated, and the
only point in which it takes step forward is
the assumption of bold attitude in favor Of
reputation. Let us look at the provisions
of the faith. The first two declarations go
conveniently together. They favor the i'm
mediate restoration of the Southern States,
and an amnesty to all offenders. We also
favor the restoration of the States, but not
under the Rebel rule. There is where ths
vital issue on restoration comes into conflict
We favor loyal supremacy, they declare for
Rebel rule. We will leave the task of judging
between the two to the people of the land.
The third resolution is the most Important
Payment of the public debt of the United
States as rapidly as practicable; all moneys
much as is requisite for tue necessities of the
Government, economically administered, being
honestly applied to such payment, and where
the obligations of the Government do not ex-
pressly state upon their face, or the law under
which they were issued does not provide tnaJ
they shall be paid in coin they ought il right
the United States"
This is dishonor, national and lasting dis
honor. The Five-twenties, as we all know,
were intended to be paid in gold. We pledged
them to be paid in gold. In all honor, their
payment in gold is demanded. But the De-
mocracy boldly favor breach of contract
They repudiate the pledge given at the tina of
contracting the debt, and favor payment in a
deprecated currency. This is an insult to
Chase. How can he be their candidate, when
il was from his lips we had the promise that
they should be paid in gold We may seek to
per with the question, aud call it mild terms,
if it gives US any satisfaction; but it stands
forth in all its hdeousness. 1t is breach of
faith. But not content with this, the Demo-
cracy go yet further in their mad career of re-
pudiaton. They say
''Fourth. Equal taxation of every species of
property according to its real value; luctul-
ing Government bonds and other puolic secu'
rifles"
By the very contract itself these bonds were
exemp pied forever from taxation on the part of
the nation. By what quibble, by what posi-
BILE excuse do they now favor the direct and
positive violation of the unmistakable con-
tract Let the mask be discarded. Demo-
cratic success is the success of reputation.
If we can break part of oar contract, why not
break it all If we can take five per cent.
from the bonds, why not take fifty, or all, if
the olamor of the ignorant and unscrupulou5
should demand it
Where do we find the promised declaration
in favor of universal suffrage 1t cannot be
detected. Two clauses refer to it. Let them
speak,
1--WE do declare and resolve that ever since
the people of the United states threw off all
subsection to the British crown, the privilege
and trust Of suffrage have belonged TO the
several States, and nave been granted, regu
lated and controlled exclusively by The poll 1.
cal power OF each STATE respectively, aud that
any attempt by Congress, Ou any preGeXJ what
ever, to deprive any state OF this right or in
terfere with its exercise, q II agraut usurp alton
of power which can fud no warrant in the
Constitution, and II sane iOned oy the people,
will subvert our form of government
"The abolition of the Freedmpn's Bureau and
all political instrumentaitiesde deslg ued To secure
negro supremacy"
Talking these two together, what do they
meant Simply this, that the States North
and especially South should be the only judges
of suffrage, and that, as suffrage means ''negro
supremacy" they are opposed to it most en-
phaticany. This is the advance of sentiments
so long predicted These are their principles,
with TRADE of abuse of the Republican oppo,
sition. To sum'up in two words the entire
principle OF the party as enunciated, we may
say, "Dewn with the negro and up with green
backs" Can Chase stand on such platfOrml
Can any Republican, or any man, except a
deep-dyed Democrat, be in favor Of such a
platform'H We think not. 1t 10 dream
vulnerable at a score of points-and before the
election arrives will be riddled to piece;
through the arguments of the orators of the
Republican party.
''Capscity for Dissent