The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1870-04-29
OREGON DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

ORE6ON DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
= ADOPTED AT ALBANY, MARCH IS, 1870.
The Democracy of the State of Oregon. through
thsir delegates In convention assembled, In accord
anee with long established usages proclaim the
following ss the articles Of their faith
1st. That they are unalterably attached 10 the
principles of our Republic. as exponnded by its
founders, and that the paramount object of their
organization shall be te uphold and maintain
those principles inviolate.
End. That they hold those political partfans,
who, occupying positions of trust, claiming TO be
representatives of the people, have usnrped the
authority confdcd to them, maliciously trampled
under foot our sacred bill of rights, made civil
law subordinate to military rule. perverted the
functions of government and endeavored TO con-
centrate its powers in the hands of an oligarchy,
wholly disregarded the will and wishes Of their
constituents, and insiduously cndeavored to dis
parage. depose and stigm atize the proud I'll
tie of American citizenship, enemies to the best
interests of the Commonwealth.
Srd. That the so-called reconstruction measures
attempted to be carried out by the present party
in power, is 8 nefarious scheme. revolutionary in
design. reasonable in execution. one, which il ac
quesced in a rightfal exercise OF authority, will
establish most dangerous precedent and imperii
the safety and perpetuity of our form of govern
nent; aud that the present Senators in the Con-
gress of the United States, from this State, in
|. supporting those measures. have misrepresented
people of Oregon.
4th. That the systematic efforts made by that
party, to extend the African. the Indian and the
Cinnamon, ali the civil and political rights and
privileges enjoyed by the white race. evinces n de-
sign the part of its leaders destroy the high
estimate placed upon that invaluable heritage and
! render despotism less objectionable and more
easy of accomplishment.
Sth. That the ratification Of the recently pro-
posed amendment to the Constitution of the United
States, extending the right of suffrage to the oe
nighted negro and Indian, and which opens the
door for its enjoyment To the heathenish China
men, is Irregular arbitrary and unlawful, and they
most earnestly protest against the passage by the
United States Congress of the pending act, des-
igned to enforce the obnoxious and illegal pro-
vision.
9th. That they urge and ensreat a repeal of the
recent treaty concluded bet the United Ststes
and China. which guarantees to the latter nation
such extensive privileges and mmunites without
corresponding benefits to Americen citizens, offers
its hordes of semi barbarans such favorable in
ducements to swarm in upon Us, occupy our min
eral and agricultural districts, create 4 ruinous
competition with our laborng masses, establish
rious pursuits, disgusting rites, ceremonies and
practices in our towns, discourage and repel the
immigration of our own race, decrease the white
population, retard thrift, impede the advancement
of education and enlightenment, abstract from our
resources and send away our valu,ble mineral
wealth, and demoralise and apostatize commu-
nifty; and they resolve, that party who will sus-
tain 3 pollcy so unWtScf rutnOus and ruthless. rs
that which upholds such an infamous bargain,
As unworthy the support of white men.
Tth- That in the management of the municipal
Affairs, they urge judicious application of the
principles Of sound political economy, n laudable
encouragement to agricultural, mineral, manufac-
turing and commercial interests \ just and equi-
table protection to the laborer and the capitalist
and the faithful exercise of n system of rigid
trenehment, that the government should be ad-
ministered for the people, aud not against them
Do ftxatrr and and
fostering monopoles to prey upon them and des-
poll them o: their substance. That system Of
taxation which has for its obect the establishment
of privileged orders under the government, either
by preferring one class to another, by imposing
grievous burdens upon the taxpayers while con-
ferring favors, exemptions and immuniiies upon
the holders of government securities, deserves no
other name than legalized public plunder.
Sth. That the continual payment of the semi
annual interest the bonded debt of the United
States. without abatement, together with other
enormous expenses for which the people taxed,
make burden too intolerable TO be borne without
effort to find some speedy means OF relief. That
the amount of the bonded debt is increased more
than two fold, by the venal, illegal and unjustif-
able terms of its contraction, that their is neither
justice wisdom in the repeated payment OF the
principle by the continued payment of the interest
Thatiti no part Of good policy good government
70 embarrass theenergcs ofiabor, and all business
enterprise by excessive and oppressive taxation for
the exclusive benefit of a combination of untaxed
capital, taat TO relieve the country and to restore
prosperity. favor equitable adjustment OF
the bonded debt of tae United States.
9th. Tnat the desire Of the present Congress. as
manifested by its proceedings, u secure 10 the
wealthy bond-holder payment in coin on aecount
of Indebtedness growing out of loans to the Uni
ted States of treasury notes. when worth less than
one-half their coin value after the holders there
of hare received exorbitant interests thereon and
At the same time leaving the pensions due unfor-
tunate soldiers, their wives, children other kim
drsd to be paid in deprecated currency, exhibits
spirit of injustice unsurpassed in the history of
class legislation, and fully demonstrates the ex-
istenee of design on the part of the moneyed ar
istocraey of the country to influence the establish
ment of policy favoring the aggrandizement Of
the rich AZ the expense of the poor, policy which
isnce and power on the one hand, and misery,
poverty and slavery on the other; policy fitted
only 70 p monarcbcal form of government.
10th. That the Democracy of this State
aow,sas heretofore, are strenuous advocates
Of . tariff for purposes of revenue only. That the
principle of "prJtection for the sake OF protection"
is at with the diversified interests of the peo-
pie Of the States, and experience has shown its
tendency 70 aggrandize class in the community
at the expense and to the injury of the producing
aid aboring millions, taxing their industry, equal
y in violation of the authority Of the Constitution,
and of the great principle that should govern this
people in their intercourse with the family of
tions:
LIN. s1ndt VIC bdYol the aooption OF an amend
mont to the Constitution of the United States, re-
scinding the XIV and XIV amendments.
18th. That we are in favor of liberal policy
being pursued by the Legislature Of this State in
the bestowal of tine land grants TO her for the pur
pose of public improvements.
18th. That the Governor and resigning members
Of the Legislature in engaging in q conspiracy to
overthrow the State government, collect large
amounts of coin as revenue to be drawn from the
business and hard earnings of the people TO be
idle in the treasury, or TO be the subjects Of gam
bling speculations in RI .nts, bonds and other
securities were guilty OF high crime against the
government Of Oregon. rendering them unworthy
the respect and confidence of the people of be-
lag further entrusted with the administration of
the government. And while we thus condemn the
setion Of the Governor and resigning members,
we unhesitatngy approve and endorse the con-
duct of the Democratic members in earnestly and
faithfully striving to restore and maintain the
ganizaton Of the Legislature. and provide for the
due administration Of the law. sstr-iz-s
T79T=- - 2
The colored American Senator, of
Afrsnov Do-n1e L. H.