Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-09-01
From the Washington % G. IA tEiot.
LETTER FROM HON. It. L. CLINGDIAE
AsHEv1L1E, n. O.. August 18, 1871.

Editor Of the Patriot:-
As our conversation was interrupted be-
fore its close, at your suggestion, L will
proceed, as briefly as possible. to express
the opinions entertained. While most
persons admit that, in view OF the altered
Constitution of the country, some mod1ti-
cation of it's platform should be made by
the Ma ional Democratic party, there is 10
progress an earnest discussion as to the
precise form it should take. The real
difficulty seems to be as to what p0eition
the party ought to take with respect to the
reconstruction acts, and the late amend
meuts 70 the Constitution. Ought those
measures to be denounced, or should hey
be accepted IS accomplished facts? Many,
who are willing to forego a declaration of
hostility to them. are averse to endorsing
them in any form.
In my judgment, it is not necessary that
either of these courses should be taken
While making a platform for the party.
three essential th ings should be observed: {:
First, the principles laid down should in
themselves be true; secondly, they should
be such as sirly to indicate the line of dl-
vision against opponents thirdly, they
should DO sufficiently COMPREHENSIVE to IN
dicate the general policy on which the par
ty in power would administer the Govern.
ment.
As the world was created in six days, so
might the National Democracy in six words
enunciate platform pO- sessing these re-
quistes. They might declare for constitu-
tional COVE equal taxation, economy,
amnesty. need not argue that these prin
ciples are true in themselves.
On the second point, do they not indicate
the real dividing line between US end the
Republican party?
The Republican leaders, while passing
many of their obnoxious measures. de
clared that they were acting outside of the
Constitution. In other words. as that in
strumont gave no support to their acts,
they were in themselves void. The very
fact that they deprived the Supreme Court
of the right TO pass upon the constitution
ality Of their acts. IS virtually al admis-
siCn that they were unc nconstiUutional. l
need not specify the different acts, for
they have, from time to time, been de-
nounced, not only by the leading Demo
cratic speakers, but also by many identi
fed with the Republican party. The
anxious inquiry Of thoughtful men is,
whether the Government is tc be brought
back to it's true constitutional moorings,
or is it to be waited on the waves Of popu-
| ar passions until it ultimately reaches
The port of Imperialism
A declaration in favor Of equal taxation
is condemnation of n dozen oppressive
tariffs, and of system of internal taxa
ton as partial as it is vexatious. From
the day on which the Republican party
came into power it has legislated syste-
maticalIy in favor of monopolies, and to
enrich the few at the expense of the many.
The desire to throw off the crushing sys-
TEN it has fastened on the country Is be-
coming stronger day br day.
Economy is the opposite OF the waste
fully profuse system of expenditures that
has 80 long prevailed throughout tue land,
and Of the numerous embezzling opera
| tions that have been brought to light -
Besides expenditures for objects outside
of the Constitution, it has been declared
by Republicans in high position that near
! ly half the money levied from the people
is restrained fraudulently by the officials.
Amnesty implies that the war has end
ed; that we should have peace, and that
the citIzans of all of the United States
| should be allowed to choose their ablest
and bess men TO ill public positions.
In tho third place, these principles suiti-
| cieatly indicate the general policy to be
| carried o11 bv the party in power. Let
all is enactnents be within tue limits pre-
scribed By the Constitution, and the coun-
Try will breathe more freely again. Equal
| taxation will never be Oppres slve, because.
when It is TO fall on ali alike, no one will
| wish it higher than the necessities OF the
! Government require. 1t Is because that
under a system as unequal as human in
| genuity can make it, certain classes expect
to make money out of the oppression Of
| Others. they clamor for high t1Kes to be
imposed. It is not difficult to frame a
tariff with a scale of duties only half as
high as are many of the present, which
| would relieve the people and at the same
time afford ample revenue to the Govern
men:. When the greater portion of the
taxes the people pay goes Into the Trea-
sury, instead of three-fourths being paid
to the manufacturers, and this money Is
| ecou omicaliy used for constitutional pur-
poses, the great question OF hnanc al e.
form will be happily solved.
It is not to be presumed that the Demo
cratic party has abandoned any of its cher
ished principles because it does not repea
them When one goes to dine with {
friend, he is not supposed to have aban-
doned all his clothing except the sui
he wears. An army goes toto battle
; in light marching order, carrying only tn
ARM and ammunition 1t needs for tn
, | occasion. It is not necessary that GU
platform should specify all the wrongfu
acts of our opponents, as our orators AM
nresses can be trusted to hold tL en- up L
the public gaze.
It may be urged that the President cleo
and the party ought to be more strictl
, tied up, TO keep them, when IN power, o
the proper track. A man Intellectually an
morally fitted to be President will, o
, this platform, be quite as likely to NEE
the just expectations of his supporters as
he were chosen on the most elaborate
i specifications. AS to the parry itself. tbs
. will be directed by the feeling and judg
! ment of the majority of its leading mem
3 bers The present Republican party ha
: been completely controlled by the latltud
3 marian monopolists OF New England as
: it had been called the Federalist-Consol
l.. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. party with plat
s form in harmony with its title.
9 1t is only necessary, that while renour
t cling no sound principle, we should max
9 such statement as fairly to let the publ
] know what will be our general line of &C
t tion in power. AS no two individuals ca
b expected to agree on every point,
q minute detail of opinions tends to exclt
e divisions, and drive off good men, who's
4 views substantially accord with our owl
: We ought rather to widen the ground, an
: afford opportunity for all patriotic men
i cooperate with us, without requiring thel
i to compromise their former positions {
. | o1ar to sorrender their DreiudiceS