Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1871-06-14
F. Lat FOB MI
OF THE
DEMOCRACY OF OHIO
adopted In Convention, at Columbus on
June /, 1871.
Resolped, ln the Democracu of ono

Is NeSVittdiOy tHt DeWoCTUCy " OHIOj
n n /. That, denoUnciDg the extraor.
II dinary means by which they were
' brought about, we recognize as ac-
d complished facts the three amend.
l. ments in fact to the tConstitution,
r recently declared adopted, and the
c same as no longer political issues
before the country.
2 We demand that the rule of
2 strict construction, rs proclaimed by
the Democratic fathers, accepted by
: the statesmen Of all parties pre- vous
to the war, embodied in the Tenth
Amendment to the Constitution, be
: vigorously applied now to the Con-
sritution rs it is, including the three
recent amendments shall not be held
to have in any respect altered or
modified the original theory and
character Of the Federal Govern
mcnt 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,
the Democratic party pledges itself
to tho full, faithful and absolute
execution and enforcement Of the
Constitution as it now is, so as to
secure equal rights to all persons
under it, without distinction Of
race, color or condition.
3. That the absolute equality Of
each and every State within the
Union is fundamental principle Of
the Federal Government.
4. That we will always cherish
and uphold the American system of
State and local governments, for
State and local purposes, and u
General Government for general
purposes only and are unaltcrabIy
opposed to all attempts at ccntrali-
zatlon and consolidation Of power in
the hands of the General Govern
ment; and the more especially
when such attempts are in the form
Of usurpation by any department Of
that government, And, further,
that we adhere firmly to the princ-
pie of maintaining perfect indie
pcndcnce between the coordinate
departments of the Government,
the Legislative, the Executive and
the Judicial, condcmning all S-
croachments by one upon the func-
tions OF the others.
5. While the fundamental law, as
expressed in the Constitution is
necessarily permanent until abro-.
gated, as prescribed by that inslru-
mcnt, all legislation is, in its nature
and purpose, temporary and subject
to change, modification or repeal at
the will Of a majority Of the people,
expressed through the law making
power, and that the pretcnsc that
any act of Congress not executed
and spent, or any legislative policy
Of a party is an absolute tinality, il
totally inconsistent with the whole
theory OF republican government,
and that it is the unquostionable
fright Of the people of themselves,
and through their representatives,
at each successive election, and in
each Successive Congress, to Judge
Of what legislation is necessary and
proper or appropriate TO carry into
execution and enforce the constitu-
Liona powers, rights and duties Of
the Federal Government.
&. That, as an instance of cmi-
ncntly appropriate legislation under
the Fourteenth, we demand now Of
Congress a universal amnesty.
T. That while we dcnOunce all riotous comhi-
nations and cons spiracicS against law or ~ dis
turb the peace, in the south or elsewhere, and
demand ofall good citizens their utmost inIlu-
cncc to put alcsuCh down, we also dcnOuncG
the at commonly called the "BoAOnet Bill
recently passed by Congress and the more re.
cent act commonly called the "ku-KluX Bill,"
extending byifs terms, TO every State, Ms enac-
ted for no other purpose than 60 complete tha
Capitalization of all power IN the hands of the
General tioyernaent establish II military deS-
pIti1G, ana thu5 pefpetuat2 the present Ad-
ministratiOn without icgArd to the Will Of tho
people, and aS not only utterly inconsistent
with the whole theory and character Of the Fed
Cral Government, and revolutionary and dam
gCrOus In their character, but IN direct conflict
with the snliG and letterOf the Constitution, in
Guiding the amendments which they pretend
TO enforce, .'"-.
g. That holding still to the good old Demo
cratic doctrine of annexation or acquisitions
Of teuiOry,w ,wo are yet totally opposed to the
scheme of President Grant TO acquire San Do
mingo as II job and by the means and for tho
purposes, evidently intended.
8. That we are in favor Ot strictly revenue
tarT, conformcd to the theory and principles Of
all other juSt aud wise JitN laws aud opposed to
the protective" theory, so called
TO- That the proilgac corrupt and wanton
extravaganza which pcrvadcs every depart
nent of the Federal Government, the sacrifice
of the interests Ol labor 10 aggrandizc q hand
ful of aristOcriltS wicked deprivation T the
people Of their rghtful heritage IN the public
lands which have been made gift 10 railroad
aud other monopOlists, the payment of more
than $2i UOb 900 OF premium during the Admin
istrulion OF President Grant in Government
bonds payable at par, the maintenance at an
annuaIcost to the people ofnearly $50 100000 of
an unconstitutional system of banking where
by noney'is made scarce and interest high, are
abuses which call for wise and thorough RENE.
dies ...-.t g.. d..
ii. That we arc in favor OF strict economy
Of large reduction in the expenditures OF the
Federal and state Governments; OrCiVll serNlce
reform of the collection OF the internal rcie-
nue. by the state authorities, and thereby re.
turn TO honest labor the myrl0ds Of t0X-gnther-,
crs who uillict our lnnd ana eat up itSsubstahcc;
and of the speedy trial, conviction and punish"
mient of the thieves who have stolen the taAts
paid by the people. ~.
: H. That while we reject repudiation wo
equally reject the proposition to pay the bond
holders more ran the contract with them de-
mands; that, if the homdhOlders have rights, SO
have tho tuxpayers and we lnsist upon Justice
being done TO both; that the creditor senlitled'
to be paid in the same currency he loaned 10
The Government; that when he loaned green
backs he should be paidin grccnbacks, unless
the contract otherwise provides, and when he
loaned told he should be paid in gold; that, TO
guard aganst too great an expansion, green
backs should be made convertible into three
per cent bonds, at the option of the note hold
crs said bonds to be redeemed in greunbacks
on demand that the true method OF returning
to specie payments is TO make custom dues pay
able IN legal tender currency, whether paper
..I-I -. 81 LII