Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-09-02
THE PLATFORM.

The Dem0cratc party, IN Nati0naI C0nven-
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 the powers. sf
the Government, and the guarantee OF the lib
critics of the citizen and recognizing the 1ues-
tions Of slavery and secession as having 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 berenewed or reagitated /; do. with the
return Of peace, demand,
1. linn ediate restoration Of all the States to
their rights in the Union under the Constit tu-
tion and civil government of the American
2. Amnesty for all past political offenses. and
the regulation Of tho elective franchise in the
States 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
alton, except so much as is requisite for the me-
cessities of the Government, economically ad-
m;nistered, should be honestly applied to such
payment, aud whore tho obligations OF the Gov
ernment do not expressly 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. -,afN
4. Equal taxation of every species Of property
according to its real value. including Govern
ment bonds. and other public securities.
8. One currency for the Government and the
people, the laborer and the oficehoder. the
pensioner and tho soldier. the producer and
the bondhOlder.
Government; the reduction OF the standing
army and navy; the abolishment of the freed
mems bureau, and all political instrumental
tiles designed to secure negro supremacy; SIM
plification of the system and the dpcontinuance
of inquisitoral boards for assessing and col.
lectipg internal revenue, 20 that the burden of
taxation may be equalized and lessened; the
credit of the Government and the currency
made good the repeal of AL snactments for
enrolling the State militia into National forces
foreign imports, and such equal taxation. under
the internal revenue laws ms will afford Incl
dental protection to domestic manufactures,
and as will, without impairing the reveBue,
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 ,errupt men from Offices. the
abrosation Of useless ofiees the restoration Of
the Executive and Judicial departments OF the
Gov rnment, the subordination of the military
to the civil power to the end that the usurpa-
tions of Congress aud the despotism of the
s. Equal rights and protection for natural.
ized and native-born citizens at home and
abrr ad an assertion of American nationality.
which shall command the respect OF iorelsn
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
na'uralized citizens against the 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 arraign the Radical party for its disregardd
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 to prosecute the war ex-
clusively fer the maintenance, Of the govern
NJ ~, fba att Of
Ithas repeatedly violated that most sacred
pledge under which was rallied that noble vol
unteer army. which carried our nag 70 victory.
Instead Of restoring the Union. IL has. SO far
as In its power. dissolved it. and subjected ten
States in time Of peace to military despotism
and negro supremacy.
1t has nullifed there the right of trial byjury.
1t has abolished the habeas corpus, that
most sacred writ OF liberty.
II has overthrow the freedom Of speech and
the press.
arrests. and military trials and secret Star
Chamber inquisitions. fer constitutional tri-
Il has disregarded in time of peace the right
Of the people to be free from search and SOLE
II has entered the post and telegraph Offices,
and even the private rooms OF individuals,
and seized their private papers and letters
as required BY the organic law
II has converted the American capitol into
bastile.
srchy Of Europa would now dare to resort
II has abolished the right Of appeal on i'm
portant constitutional questions 10 the su-
preme Judiciary tribunal. and threatens to
curtail or destroy its original jurisdiction,
which is irrevocably vested by the Constitu-
tion. while the learn,d Chief Justice has been
subjected 10 tho most atrocious calumnies.
merely because be would not prostitute his
tisan charges preferred AGAINST the President.
Its corruption and extravagance have ex-
ceedsd anything known In history, and By its
frauds and mopQpolies it has nearly doubled
II has stripped the President Of his constitu-
ticnal power Of sppointment. even Of his own
cabinet.
Government are rocking on their base, and
should Il succeed in November next and iuau-
guraie its President We will meet as a subject
and conquered people amid the ruins OF ib-
sr,{ ana sns az dseIsrs ass o. resolve S rat
ever since the people OF the United States
threw of all subiection 70 the British Crown
the privilege and trust o. suffrage have, be-
lonred 10 the several States. and have been
rranrcd. regulated. ard controlled exclusively
hy the politicai power g each state respect
ively, and any attempt BY ConEress, on suy
prrtert whatever. 20 deprive any STATE 81 this |
rirht, or interfere With this exercirc. is a da-
rrarf usurpation Of rover which can ind no |
warrant in the Consultation. aud. II fanctioned /
hy the people. will subvcrt our form Of SOW /
ernmeni, and can only end In = single cert
ired, consolidhted ruvtrumcrt. u when TIE |
separate exisiencs Of the States viii be entirely
ahsorhei and an urqualIfpd defrcfism Be /
estahhlhsd IN place Of fedual Union q
cQual States.
That We regard the recoas,rsc,isa sets Of
Corrress. ao-calied. as fusuruatiens. unconEti-
tufional. rerolufionary and void, and that our i
roliiers and sailors Who carried the fae of eur
country TO- Fisisry against most Elilart ard