The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1870-09-30
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

The following is the platform adopted by
the late democratic state convention at Topeka
1t has some good things in it. Wedo not see
how it would be possible to put forth such
an immense quantity of political literature
without making few points. But there is
also large amount OF clap-trap in it-stuff
thrown in to catch votes:
The Democratic party of Kansas submits to
the voters OF the State the following declara-
ton Of principles to which il invites their earn
est attention and support:
The preservation of the rights of the States
rs members Of the Federal Union intact.
The speedy restoration of all the States to
perfect equality and self government.
The immediate removal of all political disa-
bilities incurred by citizens in the late war.
The recognition of all amendments TO the
constitution as of the same binding force as
the original text; but as the autocratic method
OF ratifying the recent amendments by a Darti-
san majority excited the alarm of all good cit
liens, it shall hereafter be understood rs the
supreme law of the land that the Constitution
of the United States is not TO be touched by any
political party until the people shall have had
change.
That the substitution of treasury notes for
the national bank currency is a measure of
imperative necessity and economy.
That as the confidence in the national bank
currency only exists by reason of the govern
ment bonds which are deposited as their secur-
ity, IL Is an unnecessary extravaganza TO pay
eighteen millions Of gold per annum to those
institutions for doing what might be better
done by the government itself.
That the one hundred and forty -four millions
OF gold equal to two hundred millions in cur
rency which has been paid to them in the last
eight years would have been better applied in
payment Of the national debt than paid to the
bonded interests in these banks, which have
escaped taxation; and taxation alike upon all
species of property whether gold, greenbacks
national currency or bonds.
Reduction, If not abolition, of the hateful
and oppressive Internal Revenue tax.
A thorough reform and strict economy in all
branches Of the government.
Pay ment OF the national debt in accordance
with the law authorizing Its creation. And
we demand repeal Of the act of Congress pro-
viding for the payment of the 5:20s in coin.
A national currency secure against the effect
between the States.
That II large part of the territorial domain
has been given away to railroad and other
monopolies, and rs large land estates are the
peril and impoVerishmcnt ola nationJwe oppose
any further squandering of public lands; and
we would reserve them for settlers in good
Ialth, and rs means OF legitimate revenue to
the government.
We condemn, as dangerous to liberty and
subVersVe of the constitution, the late military
interference by the Federal administration in |
the State election in y Orth Carolina-if such |
action be permitted to go unchallenged in one |
State 1t Is but an invitation for like outrage |
in another; concession that the elective fran |
chise-the basis OF our government-may at |
the pleasure of the President, be controlled by |
the power of the bayonet.
We welcome the birth of IA new Republic in |
Europe, and extend sympathy TO all people |
aspiring to, or struggling for liberty and self
government; and we trust that the present |
struggle in Europe will result in the downfall |
OF imperialism and the establishment of Re |
publican Government.
That the law of self-preservatiOn--the first |
dictate OF reason-the interests of the laboring |
and industrial class demand that Chinese la |
borers shall not be coloniZed into this country. |
That no advantage that may seem to be in |
from their Phpnn nj If
vile character, Will justify the grave conse- |
quences TO be fairly apprehended from syste- |
shores.
That we deem the sessions of the legislature |
too long and too expensive, producing in their |
legal enactments but poor equivalent for the |
taxes necessary TO pay for their support-and. |
in the name OF n people taxed almost beyond |
endurance, we demand short sessions, small |
appropriations and healthy constitutional leg
islation-and at the hands of all departments |
OF the State government, legislative, executive |
and judicial, the prompt, efficient and honest |
discharge OF their duties.
That the general history of the radical adj |
ministrations in the State Is one of fraud, cor
ruption and imbecility; disgrace and blot |
upon the fair fame of our gallant and heroic |
people; the Journals of our legislative assem- |
bly, are stained with the records of impeach- |
ments, OF Investigations on account of bribery, |
corruption and malfeasance in Office and the |
evil has become so grievous that 1t behooyes |
the people In their majesty to throw off the |
shackles that corrupt politicians have placed |
TO office.
That we condemn as not only unauthorized |
but In direct violation of the Federal and State |
constitution the Quarterlng of United States
troops upon the people of Cherokee and Craw- |
ford and other counties in the interests of the |
person OF persons claiming to own the lands |
legal one to be finally decided by the courts |
having Jurisdiction thereof and the quartering |
OF Federal troops upon the settlers is not only |
an outrage upon their rights, but a gross yio- |
lation of Federal and State supreme law and |
disgrace and shame upon the authorities of |
the State who have thus invoked this unlaw- |
ful and dangerous agency.
That we are in favor of a tariff |
for revenue only; and we demand that the |
burdens OF taxation shall be fairly and equal |
ly adjusted. Recognizing labor the founda- |
tion'and source of our national prosperity, il |
is both the duty and interest of the govern |
ment TO foster and protect it, and that no adj |
striking from the statute books the present I'M
just and odious tariff laws, n system of taxa
ton based upon favoritism, and which has de-
stroyed American commerce and oppressed
the people Of the great agricultural regions:
which has compelled the many to pay tribute /
u the few, and which has built up monopolies
that control not only every American market
but also the legislation of Congress-: and we
demand that the prime articles of necessity
such as tea, coffee, sugar, salt, and those fab
rtcs which constitute the wearing apparel of
the workingman and his family shall be placed
upon the free list.
That the legislation of the dominant
specialized in the blood OF the soldier'' receives
gold, and the soldier who shed his blood TO
preserve the republic, his widow and orphans
receive greenbacks, Is an unjust discrimina-
ton; and that we demand such legislation as
will make no distinction between the creditors
Of the government.
That the brave mans blood Is worth
more than the rich mans money, and that there
should be one currency for the rich and the
poor, the bondholder and the soldiers: and
that If favors should be extended, they are due
the brave men who periled their lives for our
preservation, the widows and orphans of our |
dead heroes, and not the speculator.
That this convention invite the fell
lowshtp and cooperation Of earnest and /
good men, Of all parties, TO unite with us in /
the election of the nominees now put forward
by the convention upon the platform submit
ted.
That the Democratic party recognize
the necessity OF organization among the
laboring classes and their friends, as n means
OF their self-protection against the encroach-
ments of capital, and that the Labor Union ,,
so called, have its largest sympathy, and we
respectfully invite the attention of that organ
izatisn and its members TO the efforts of the I
Democratic party in behalf of the laboring
classes, and earnestly desire and request their
cooperation with us in the Use of every means
TO foster and advance the best interests of the
laboring classes.
We imported from France last year
about S35,000,000 worth of goods, and /