Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1868-08-21
NdioRdL Democratic Platform =
adopted JuIy 2, 1868.

vention assembled, reposing les trnst in the
intelligence, patriotism, aud discriminating
Justice of the people, standing upon the
CONSTITUTION as the foundation and limita-
ton of the powers OF the Government, and
the guarantee of the liberties of the citizen,
and recognizing the questions Of slavery
and secession as ha-ing been settled for all
time 10 come by the war, OF the voluntary
action of the Southern States in constitn-
tional conventions assembled, and never 70
be renewed or regulated, do, with the re-
turn of peace, demand:
First. Immediate restoration of all the
States to their rights in the Union under
the Constitution, and Of civil governments TO
the American people.
Second. Amnesty for all past political
offences aud the regulation OF the elective
franchise In the States by their citizens
Third. Payment Of the public debt OF the
United States as rapidly as practicable all
moneys drawn from the people by taxation,
except so much as is requisite for the me-
cessities Of the Government economically
administered, being honestly applied 10 such
payment; and where the obligations of the
Government do rot expressly state upon
their face, or the law under VIII CHI they
we're issued does not provide that they
shall be paid in coin, they ought, in right
and justice, TO b" paid in the lawful money
of the United States.
Fourth. Equal taxation OF every species
of property according TO its real value, in
GLIDING Government bonds and other public
securitits.
Fifth. One currency for tho Government
and the people, the laborer and the office
holder, the pelsioner and the soldier, the
producer and the bondholdeT.
Sixth. Economy in the administration Of
the Government; the reduction Of the
standing army and navy; the abolition of
of the Freedmen's Bureau, and all political
instrumentalities designed to secure negro
supremacy; simplifcation of the system,
and discontinuanco Of the inquisitorisl
modes Of assessing aud collecting 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 all enactments for en-
rolling the State militia into national forces
in time of peace and a tariff for revenue
upoG foreign imports, and such equal taxa
ton under the internal revenue laws as will
afford incidental protection TO domestic
manufactures, and AS will, without impair
ing the revenue, impose the least burden
upon and best promote and encourage the
great industrial interests of the country.
Seventh. Reform of abuses in the admin
istration, the expulsion of corrupt men
from office, the abrogatioD of useless offices,
the restoration of rightiul authority, 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 usurpations
of Congress and the despOtism of the sword
may cease.
Eighth. Equal rights and protection for
naturalized and native born citizens at home
and abroad, the assertion Of American ma
tionality which shall command the respect
of foreIgn powers aud furnish and example
and encouragement TO people struggling
for national integrity, constitutional liberty
and individual rights and the maintenance
of the rights OF naturaliZed citizens against
the absolute doctrine OF immutable alegi-
ance, and the claims of foreign powers "a
punish them for alleged crimes committed
beyond their jurisdiction.
In demanding these measures aud reforms
we arraigu the Radcai party for It's disre-
gard of right and the unparalleled oppres.
SION and tyranny which have marked its
career. After most solemn and unani.
nous pledge of both houses Of Congress to
prosecute the war exclusively for the main.
tenauce of the Government and the pres
ervation of the Union under the COnsttu
ton, it has repeatedly violated that most
| sacred pledge, under which alone was raj.
lied that noble volunteer army which car
ried oar Gag 10 victory; instead of restoring
the Union it has, so far as in its power, dis.
solved il, and subjected ten States, in time
of profound peace, to military despOtism
and negro supremacy; 1t has nulhiied there
the right OF trial By jury; it has abolished
tho hd6edS corpus, that most sacred writ Of
liberty it has Uvorthrown the freedom Of
speech and the press; it has substituted
arbitrary seizures and arrests, aud imiiilary
trials, md secret star-chamber inquistions
for the constitutional tribunals il has dis
regarded IN time of peace the right Of the
people 10 be free from searches aud seizures
II has entered the post aud telegraph oices,
AID even the private rooms OF individuals,
and seized their private papers aud letters
without any specific charge or uouce Of
affidavit, rs required by the organic law
it has converted tho American Capitol into
bastile; it has established system OF
spies and official espionage a. which no
constitutional monarch OF Europe would
now dare 10 resort; it has abolished the
right OF appeal on important constitutional
questions 10 the supreme judicial tribunal,
and threatens 10 curtsil or destroy its origi-
nal jurisdiction, which is irrevocably vested
by the Constitution, while the learned Chief
Justice has been subjected 10 the most
atTocions Caiumnics, merely because he
would unt Prostitute bis high Office 10 the
support of the false and partisan charges
preferred against the President. LIS cor
ruptOn and extravaganza have exceeded
thing kn.kpp In bt.fnrv nd ,, II. d..
aud mouopohes it has nearly doubled the
burden OF the debt created by the war. 1t
has stripped the President OF his constilu
tional power Of appointment, even OF his
own Cabinet. Under its repeated assaults
the pillars OF the Government are rocking
on their base, and should II succeed 10
November next and lnsugurate its Presi
dent, Nc will meet AS suhiugated and
conquered people amid the ruins OF liberty
and the scattered fragments OF The COnsu-
tuition.
And we do declare and resolve that ever
siDee the people OF the United States threw
oil all subsection Ia the British Grown, the
priviltgsRnd trust OF suffrage have belonged
to the several States, and have been granted,
regulated and controlled exclusively by the
political power OF each State respectively,
and that any attempt by Congress, or any
preteAt whatever 10 deprive any State Of
thls right, or interfere with its exercise, is
hegraht nsurpatiOn OF power which can
lind no warrant in the Constitution, and
u sanctioned by the people will subyert
our form Of Government, aud can only
eud in single centralized and Consolidated
government IN which the separate existence
oi tHt States will be eullroiy absorbed, and
an unqualified d, spotlsm be- established In
place Of Federal Union Of coequal States.
And thai We regard tho reconstruction
acts, (so-called) OF Congress, vs such, rs
nsurpatiobs hnl unconstitutional, reyolu-