The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1871-05-26
cLEnFHNT RnprvTvus.
Vallandigham Fulminateth the Dem
ocratio Platform for 1872.

the groundwork OF the national platform, to
sccept the Republican situation, and apol-
ogize for Democratic delinquencies. Val
landigham supplemented the platform with a
written speech. The resolutions are as fol-
lows, prepared by himself:
Whereas, The Democratic party of 1871 is
made up OF men whose principles during the
late war, as also for time since, entertained
totally different opinions, and supported
totally opposite measures, as to the questions
and issues of those times; and
Whereas, It is reasonable to assume that
these same men still entertain, TO large ex-
tent, their several opinions, and would, if in
IKE circumstances, support again substantially
the same measures; and
Whereas, A rational liberation among men
resolved TO unite In present common compro-
mise does not require the surrender in any par
ticular Of former opinions or any acknowledge
ment Of error as to measures supported; there
fore
Resolved, By the Democrats of MOntgOm-
cry county.
First-rhat, agreeing 20 disagree in all re-
spects as to the past, We cordially unite upon
the living issues Of the day, and we ahereby
invite all men of the Republican party who
believe now upon present issues as we be-
ieve, to cooperate fully and actively with
US upon the basis Of perfect equality with eve
~ member Of the Democratic party.
4
SecOnd-That, waving all differences Of
opinion as to the extraordinary means by
which they F7ere brought about, we accept
the natural and legitimate results of the war
so far as wsged for its ostensible purpose, to
maintain the Union and constitutional rights
and powers Of the federal government, in
cluding the three several amendments de facto
to the constitution recently declared adopted
as a settlement in fact Of all the issues Of the
war, and acquiesce In the same as no longer
issues before the country.
Third-That, thus burying out Of sight all
that is Of the dead past, namely, the right OF
secession, slavery, inequality before the law,
and political inequality, and, now that recon-
structon is complete, and representation
within the Union restored to all the States,
Walving all question as to the means by
which 1t was accomplished, we demand that
the vital and long established rule of strict
construction, as proclaimed by the Democratic
fathers, accepted by the statesmen of all par
ties previous to the war, and embodied in the
tenth Amendment to the Constitution, be vig-
Orously applied to the constitution as it is, in
cludlng the three recent amendments above
referred to, and insist that these amendments
shall not be held to have In any respect al
tered or modified the original theory and
character of the federal government as de-
signed and taught by its founders, and re-
peatedly, in our times, affirmed by the Su-
pl ame Court of the United States, but only
TO have enlarged the powers delegated TO it,
and to that extent and no more to have
abridged the reserved rights of the States, and
that, as thus construed according TO these
ancient and well established rules, the Demo-
cratic party pledges itself to faithful and abso-
lutte execution and enforcement Of the Consti-
tuition as 1t now Is, so as to secure equal
rights to all persons, without distinction Of
race, color, or condition.
Fourth-That the absolute equality of each
and every State within the Union is a funda-
mental principle of the federal government,
and that no department Of that government
has power to expel s ate from the Union, or
to deprive It, under any pretext whatever, of
its equal righ-s therein, including especially
the right OF the fullest complete representa-
ton IN Congress and In the Electoral College.
Fifth-That we Will cherish and uphold the
American system of st tie and local self-gov-
eminent for state and local purposes, and
general government for general purposes
only, and are unalterably opposed 10 all at
tempts at centrahZation and conso idation Of
power in the hands Of the general govern
ment, and more especially when such attempts
are In the form of usurpation by any de-
partment of that government; and, further,
that We adhere firmly to the principle Of
maintaining perfect independence between
the coordinate departments of that Govern
msnt, the Legislative, the Executive, and
j udical, condemning ali encroacbments by
one upon the otl IT.
Sixth-That, outside Of fundamental law,
all legislation is In its nature and purposes
and subject to change, modification |
or repeal at the will Of a majority of the peo-
pie, expressed through the law making power, |
and that the pretense that any act of Con- |
gress not executed aud spent, or any legisla- |
tive policy Of party, is an absolute finalitv, |
is totally inconsistent with the theory of re-
publican government, and that it is the un-
questionable night of the people, Of them
selves and through their representatives, at |
each successive election and In each success
i've congress, to Judge of what legislation Is
necessary and proper or appropriate to carry
INTO execution or enforcement the constitu-
1ona powers, rights and duties of the Fed
sral Government.
SeYenth-Ihat as an instance of eminently
appropriate legislation under the Fourteenth
Amendment, IN the name Of wisdom, justi,
md republican government, ard to secure
political rights and equality among
2oth the white and colored people of the
Jnlted States, to the epd that we may have
peace at last, we call now, as well on behalf
II the North as Of the South, upon Congress
ior universal amnesty.
Elghth-Ihat we are in favor of the pay
nent Of the public debt at the earliest prac-
icable moment consistent with moderate
'axatlon. More etfectualy to secure and
hasten payment, we demand the strictest
honesty and economy in every part OF the
of the government.
Ninth-Ihat we are in favor OF such revenue
,eform as will greatly simplify the manner of
md reduce the number of officers engaged IN
collecting and disbursing the revenue, aud
argely diminish the now enormous expense
o the government, and the annoyance and
7exatlon attending the same, and, further,
viii make the burdens of taxation equal, uni
orm and just, and no greater than the neces-
itles Of the government, economically admin
stored, shall require.
IentL-That we are in favor of searching
md adequate reform in the civil service of the
government, so as to secure faithfulness,
honesty and efficiency in all its branches, and
II every o1icer and appointee connected
With it.
Eleventh-That we are in favor of a strict
y revenue, tariff, conformed to the theory and
'ractlce OF all other just and wise tax laws.
IWeltth-That all taxation ought TO be
ased on wealth instead Of popularity, and
very person should be required to contribute
0 the support of the government in proper
ion to the amount and not in reference to the
haracter OF his property.
Ihlrteenth-That specie is the basis of all
ound currency, and that true policy requires
S speedy a return to that basis as practi-
able, without distress to the debtor class of peo
le.
Fourteenth-There is no necessary or ire
resslble conflict between labor and capital;
nat without capital or consolidated wea tn no
Ountry can flourish; that capital is entitled to !
ne Just and equal protection Of the laws; and
nat all men, whether acting individually or in
operations, are entitled to the right by fair
nd honest means, and not for purposes of
Tong or oppression, to so use there property
lcrease and con lidate it to the utmost extF1 1T
thin their poV But conCeding all this, J
e declare our cordial sympathy and coopera- !
on with the producer and working men of !
lie country, who make and move all capital, /
nd who only seek b. just and necessary
eans to protect themselves against the op-
ressiYe exaetions of capital, and to ameliorate
leir condition and dignity their calling. J
Fifteenth That we are totally and resoIute- f
opposed to the grant Of any more of the /
lbic lands, the common property of the peo- e
e Of the States, to corporations for railroads '
other purposes, holding that these lands s
lght to be devoted as homesteads to actual
ttlers or soldiers, andto Individuals at price O
low as to induce speedy occupation and set T
sment. i
Sixteenth-That, holding to the good old a
doct ne OF annexation or ae- t,
listion Of territory, we are yet totally op- fl
,sed to the scheme of President Grant to ac- k
ire San Domingo as a job, and by such D
cans and for such purposes evidently inten- C
d. and accept the issue he has rendered in h
S late message submitting the subject to the e,
cisiOn of the people. I
Seventeenth-That the act commonly called d
e 'Bayonet Bill, recently passed by Con- A
ess, amendatory to the act of May 81, 1850, Il
d supplementary to the act of July Il, 1870, il
ch and all intended and so contrived as to in %
fere with and practically subvert free cleo s.
ms in all the States, subjecting them to the Of
solute control through military power, when d