The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-08-15

each and every State within the Union, is
a fundamental principle of the Federal
FOurth-That we will Always cherish
and uphold the American system of State
and local government, for State and To-
cal purposes, and General Government
for general purposes only; and are unal-
terably opposed to all attempts at cen
'ralization and consolidation of power
in the hands of the General Govern
meut; and the more especially when
such attempts are in the form of usur-
patton by any department Of that Gov
ernment And, further, that we adhere
firmly to the principle of maintaining a
perfect independence between the co or
diuate departments of the Government,
the Legislative, the Executive and the
judicial, condemning all encroachments
by one upon the functions of the others.
FVih-While the fundamental law as
10 the Constitution, is necessa-
rily permanent until abrogated as pre-
scribed by that instrument, all legislation
is, in its nature and purpose, temporary,
and subject to change, modification, or
repeal, at the will of majority of the
people, expressed through the law ma
king power; and that the pretense that
any act of Congress not executed and
spent. or any legislative policy of a par
ty, is an absolute finality, is totally in
consistent with the whole theory of re-
publican government, and that it is the
unquestionable right. Of the people, Of
themselves and through their represen-
tatives, at each successive Congress, to
judge of what legislation is necessary
and proper or appropriate to carry into
execution or enforce the constitutional
powers, rights and duties of the Federal
Government.
SiSth-That, as an instance of emf
nently appropriate legislation under the
Fourteenth Amendment, we demand now
of Congress universal amnesty.
SeUeath-That while We denoupce all
riotous combinations and conspiracies
against law or to disturb the peace, in
the South, or elsewhere, and demand of
all good citizens their utmost influence
to put all such down, we also denounce
the act commonly called the "Bayonet
Bill" recently passed by Congress; aud
the more recent act commonly called the
"Ku. Klux Bill" extending by its terms,
to every State; as enacted for no other
purpose than to complete tho centraliza-
tion of all power in the hands Of the
General Government, establish a military
despotism, and thus perpetuate the pres
ent administration without regard to the
will of the people, and as not only ut
terly inconsistent with the whole theory
and character of the Federal Govern
ment, aud revolutionary and dangerous
in their character, but in direct conflict
with the spirit and letter of the Consti-
tuition; including the amendments which
they pretend to enforce.
E;ghth-That holding still to the
good old Democratic doctrine of annexa.
ton or acquisitions of territory, we are
yet totally opposed to the scheme of
President Grant, to acquire San Domingo
as 'job," and by the meaDs and for the
purposes, evidently intended.
Ninth-That we are in favor of strict
ly revenue tariff .conformed to the theory
and principles of all other just and wise
tax laws and opposed to the protective
theory. SO called.
Tenth-That the profigate corruption
and wanton extravaganza which pervade
every department of the federal govern
ment; the sacrifices of the interests of la
Dor to aggrandize a handful of aristoc
racy the wicked deprivation of the peo-
pie of their rightful heritage in the pub
lie lands, which have been made gift to
railway and other monopolists; the pay
ment OF more than twenty-four millions
premium, during the administration of
President Grant, on government bonds
payable at par; the maintenance at an an
nual cost to the people of nearly thirty
millions, of an unconstitutional, orpres-
sive and extortionate system Of banking,
whereby money is made scarce and inter-
est high, are abuses which call for wise
aud thorough remedies,
Eleventh-That we are in favor of
strict economy; Of large reduction in
the expenditures Of the Federal and
State Governments; of civil service re-
form; of the collection of the internal
revenue by State authorities, and thereby
return to honest labor, the myriads OF
tax gatherers who sffiict our land and eat
up its substance; and of the speedy trial,
conviction aud punishment of the thieves
who have stolen the taxes paid by the
people.
T,oelfh-That while we reject repudi-
alton. We equally reject the proposition
to pay the bondholders more than the
contract with them demands; that if the
bondholders have rights, SO have the tax
payers, and We insist upon justice being
done to both. That The creditor is enti-
tied to be paid in the same currency he
loaned to the Government; that when be
loaned greenbacks he should be paid in
green backs, unless the contract other
wise provides, and when he loaned gold,
he should be paid in gold. That to guard
against too great an expansion, green
backs should be made convertible into
three per cent. bonds, at the option OF
the note holders, said bonds to be redeem.
ed in greenbacks on demand. That the
true method Of returning to specie pay
ments is TO make custom duties payable
in legal tender currency, whether pa
per money or gold; that such a policy
would secure uniform currency, stop
gambling in gold,and thereby elevate the
credit of the Government.
Thirteenth-That with the watchword
of REFORM, we confidently 90 to the
country; that we believe the interests OF
the great body of the people are the
same; that without regard to past politi.
cal associations, they are the friends of