Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1871-06-06
A New Democratic PartyNValland-
ingham's Edict.

The Democratic Convention Of
Montgomery county, Ohio, met in
Dayton on the 18th and adopted a
platform which rejects all the social
ed dead issues to which the party had
held since the war-recognizes the
existing political status of the coun-
try, and proposes an advance from
a new standpoint, that stand point
being in most respects the position of
the Republican party. The resolu-
tons were drawn up and reported by
Vallandingham, who was chairman
of the committee on resolutions
This platform is very long one, but
we can give in brief space all its i'm
portant features.
The preamble afiirms that the DEM
cratic party of to-day is made up of
men who previous to, during and
since the war, have sustained totally
different views and supported oppo-
site measures; a radical federation
among men resolved TO unite in a
common purpose, does not require a
surrender of any former opinions, or
indicate an acknowledgement of err
ror as TO former measures supported
or opinions entertained The reso-
lutions invite all Republicans who
believe with them on present issues,
to cooperate fully and actively with
the Democracy. The platform ac-
cepts the results of the war so far as
it was waged for the maintenance of
the Union and constitutional rights.
in deciding the several constitutional
amendments, holding them as a set
Element of the questions to which
they relate. The right of secession,
slavery, inequality before the law,
and political inequality, are pro
nounced of tho dead past and to be
buried out Of sight. The constitu-
ton in its amended form is fully
accepted and the Democracy pledged
to carry it out to the letter, securing
without distinction, of race, color, or
previous condition. The absolute
equality OF each State with every
other in the Union is affirmed, also
that the Federal Government has no
right to expel State from the I'm
ion or deprive it of representation in
Congress and in the Electoral Col
lege. Everything tending to the
consolidation of power in the Gener-
al Gov ernmentis condemned, and the
strict independence of each of the
departments of the government of
the other, viz: the Legislative, exc
cutive and judicial, it is declared
should be maintained. All legisla-
ton outside of fundamental law is af-
tirmed to be temporary in its nature,
and subject to be changed as the will
of the majority of the people may in
dictate. Universal amnesty is de-
manded as means of securing the
rights of all of every race, and to the
end that there may be peace. Pay
ment of the public debt at the earliest
practicable moment consistent with
moderate taxation is demanded. -
Such reform is advocated in the rev.
enue and civil service of the govern.
ment as will simplify its method and
lessen its cost. and at the same time
secure more efficient and faithful
discharge of the duties of the officials.
a strictly revenue tariffs demanded,
and il is declared that taxation should
be based upon wealth instead Of pop
uIation. Specie is declared to be the
basis of all sound currency, and that
the true policy requires speedy res
turn to it. Capitalists and laborers
receive a good word, both having
rights and both being entitled to full
protection in those rights. Opposi-
ton is expressed to any more dona-
tions of public lands to corporations;
TO the present scheme for the annex
alton Of San Domingo; to the law
for the protection of the purity of the
ballot-box, and to the law for the
punishment of the Ku-Klux, passed
at the recent session OF Congress-
The platform then winds up with the
opinion that the present Republican
party is not the Republican party Of
the war, but an administration party,
and that it is totally hostile TO the
principles above promulgated.
We have given this synopsis of an
Ohio county platform because of the
prominence of its author, and because
it may DO adopted by the Ohio Dem
ocratic State Convention, but more
especially because it is an indication
that leading Democrats are thinking
seriously of abandoning their old
position and taking up a more tenable
one. This platform is in many re-
spects an adoption Of the principles
of the Republican party, and, so far,
is an acknowledgement that it has
been right. When Vallandingham, the
"martyr" to southern sympathy asks
cooperation of Republicans, and &C
cepts all, or nearly all, that the Re-
publican party has done, the country
may look for stirring among the dry
bones of Democracy. We congratu-
late the Democracy on the improve
ment in thcir opinions on political
questions little more improvement
in the Same direction, and they would
do to enter the Republican fold
Wisconsin.
CRoPs.-The Sparta Eagle bears