Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-08-25
THE PLATFORM.

nE nn Olbms
The Democratic party. in National Conven-
ton assembled. reposing its trust in the intelli
gence, patriotism and discrimin atinR Justice OF
| The people: standing upon the Constitution as
| the foundation and limitation of the powers sf
the Government. and the guarantee OF the lib-
critics Of the citizen and recognizing the quos-
| tions Of ,lavery and secession as having been
| settled for all time TO come by the war or the
voluntary action OF the Southern States m
Constitutional Conventions assembled. and
never TO be renewed or reagitated; ; do. with the
1 INN ediate restoration of all the States to
| their rights in the Union under the Constitu :
tion and civil government OF the American
| people. =. ,
| 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
3. All money drawn from the people bv tax
alton, except so much as is requisite for the ne
cessities Of the Goyernment, economically ad-
m;nistered, should be honestly applied to such
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 does
not provide that they shall be paid IL coin, they
| ought, in right and justice. be paid in the law
| full money of the United States.
4. Equal taxation ofevery species ofproperty
| according to its real value. including Govern
| ment bonds and other public securities.
1 D.
people, The laborer and the officeholder. the
rensioner and the soldier. the producer and
| The bondholder.
| 6. Economy in the. administration Of the
| Government; the reduction of the standin G
army and navy; the adjustment OF the freed
| mems bureau, and all political instrumental
| tiles designed to secure negro supremacy; SIM
| plifcation of the system and the di'continuance
| of inquisitorial boards for assessing. and COL
| lectrg internal revenue, so that the burden OF
| taxation may be equalized and lessened; the
credit of the Government and the currency
made good; the repeal OF al enactmepts Tor
| enrolling the State militia into National forces
| in time of peace tarit for revenue upon
| foreign imports, and such equal taxation under
| the internal revenue laws as will afford incl
dental protection to domestic mhhnuIactures' an s
impose the least burden upon and best promote
and encourage the great industrial interests OF
| the country. =.
| the expulsion of ertupt men from Offices. the
abr0eation 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 miiitary
| to the civil power to the end that the usurpa-
tions of Congress and the despotism OF the
sword may cease.
8. Equal rights and protection for natural,
ICED and native-b born citizens at home ana
abre ad /; 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
riRhts, and the maintenance OF the rights OF
naturalized citizens against the absolute doc
trine of immutable allegiance. and the claim.
of foreign powers to punish them ior is,; alleged
In demanding these measures and reforms
we arrsign the Radical party for its disregard
of right, and the unparalleled oppression and
tyranny which have msrked its career, after
the most solemn and unanimous pledge of both
Houses Of Congress to prosecute the war ex-
clusively for the maintenance, OF the govern
ment and the preservation Of the Union under
| the Constitution.
II 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. it has. so far
as in its power, dissolved it, and subjected ten
States in time of peace to military despotsm
II has nulified there the right of trial by jury.
II has abolished the habeas corpus. that
most sacred writ of liberty.
1t has overthrown the freedom of speech and
II has substituted arbitrary seizures and
arrests. and military trials and secret, star
| Chamber inquisitions, f9r constitutional TIL
II has disrogarded in time Of peace the right
of the people to be free from search and soiI-
| ures.
| and even the private rooms of individuals.
| and seized their private papers and letters
without any specification OF notice OF alb davit,
| az raou;red by the organic law.
n has converted the American capitol into
has,i1s =. nss oon's'''u VIZ
m hss establ;shed n system of spies and off,
| c;ai esnionsre m which no constitutional moR-
| erchv ~ Fnrone would now dare TO resort.
n bss shai;shoJ fhe risht Of appeal on i'm
o..aat acrs,;..;onni onestions fo the SUI
ppsme iudicisry tribunaI. and threatens TO
cnrtail or destroy is original jurisdiction,
which Il irrevocabIv vested by the Constitu
| fion while the learn 4 Chief Justice has been
s,h;,oe,sd 40 the me-, strocious caIumnies,
ssnyysIy h.cspse he so,,iJ not nrosfitute his
| hioh ot;c 90 10 ,bs snnnort Of fhe ialse and par
tisa- chsrees preferred against the President