The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-06-07
Chic State Democratic Convention.
THE PLATFORM.

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the Ohio Democratic State Convention
Resolred, by the Democracy of Ohio
l. That denouncing the extraordi-
nary means by which they were
brought out, we recognize as ac-
complished facts, the three amend
ments to the Constitution, recently de-
ciared adopted, and consider the same
as no longer political issues before the
country.
2. We demand that the rule of strict
construction, as proclaimed by the
Democratic fathers, accepted by
statesmen of all parties previous to the
war, and embodied in the tenth amend
ment to the Constitution, by being
vigorously applied now to the Consti-
tuition as it is, including the three re-
cent amendments above referred to,
and insist that those amendments shall
not be held to have in respect altered
or modified the original theory and
character of the Federal Government,
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 thus con-
strued the Democratic party pledges
itself to full, faithful and absolute
execution and enforcement of the Con-
stitution 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 a
fundamental principle Of the Federal
Government; that we shall always
cherish and uphold the American
system of State and local government
for State and local purposes, and the
General Government for general pur-
poses only, and are unalterably oppos-
ed to all attempts at Capitalization or
consolidation of power in the hands of
the General Government, and more
especially when such attempts are in
the form of usurpation by any depart
ment of that Government.
A. That we adhere firmly to the
principle of maintaining perfect indie
pendence between the coordinate de-
partments of the Government-the
Legislative, Executive and Judicial j;
condemning all encroachments by the
one upon the functions of the other.
5. While the fundamental law, as
expressed in the Constitution, is nee
essarily permanent until abrogated as
prescribed by that instrument all leg
islation is, in its nature and purposes,
temporary, and subject to change,
modification or repeal at the will of
the majority of the people as expressed
through the law-making power, and
that the pretence that any act of Con
gress not executed, or any legislative
policy or party, is an absolute finality,
is totally inconsistent with the whole
theory of government, and that it is
the unquestionable right of the people
of themselves, and through their rep
resentatives at each successive election
and in each successive Congress-, to
judge what legislation is necessary,
proper or appropriate to carry into
execution, or enforce the central
powers, rights and duties of the Fed
eral Government.
6. That as an instance of the emf
nently appropriate legislation under
the Fourteenth Amendment we de-
mand now of Congress universal am
nesty.
z. That while we denounce all
riotous combinations and conspiracies
against law, or to disturb peace in the
Sonth or elsewhere, aud 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, and
the more recent act commonly called
the "Ku-Klux BILL" extending by it's
terms to any State, and enacted for no
other purpose than to complete cen
tralization of all power in the hands
OF the general government, and to
establish a military despotism, and
thus to perpetuate the present admin
istration without regard to the will of
the people; and as not only inconsis-
tent with the whole theory and char
acter of the Federal Government, and
as revolutionary and dangerous in
their character, but are in direct con-
fiict with the spirit and letter of the
Constitution, including the amend
ments which they pretend to enforce.
8. That holding stin to the good old
Democratic doctrine of annexation or
the acquisition of territory, we are yet
totally opposed to the scheme of Presi-
dent Grant to acquire st. Domingo as
a job, and by the means and for the
purpose evidently intended.
8. That we are in favor of a strictly
revenue tariff conformed to the theory
and principles of all other just aud wise
tax laws, and opposed to the protec-
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