The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1871-09-14
THE STATE DBMORCATIC PLATFORM

WHERAKA, 1t becomes necessary from time to time
s ser '1 tbeir SoG 10 IL and to proclaim their prin
eiples upon which it should be administered, and
when its enemies obtain power, TO expose their usur
patton, to the end that the whole people may De
aroused action, to protect their rights Of the ballot
box; therefore, be 1t
ResolUsd, That the Democracy of Texas have oT
abiding confidence in the devotion of the Nattone
Democratic party to the correct principles OF govern
ment and we pledge ourselves to cooperate whit,
as an integral part thereof in its future efforts to re-
store the Government in its administration to the
principles on which 1t was founded.
9. RESOLVED, That we rely upon the honesty and
capacity of the peopl for self government:
g. RESOLVED, That the Constitution, as formed by
the free voice of the Sttes is the foundation OF the
powers of the Cove nment.
4. Resolved, Thatrthe powers of the General Gov
eminent are restricted to the express grants of the
Constitution and all powers not granted are reserved
to the States end the people thereof.
s. ResOLUed That the regulation OF suffrage and cleo
ons belong to the respective States and any Interior
ence by the General Government with intent TO control
either is gross 9surpaton OF power, ana the use o.
the military at elections to oVerawe the people and
prevent a full and fair expression OF tber pohucal
sentiments is utterly subversve OF free government
and should be resisted by all proper means until the
evil is abolished, and an honest and untrammelled
6 ResoIUed That the abolition of slavery a re-
suit of war is accepted as liked TACT and II becomes
our duty by State legislation, TO provide for the se
curIty andwe being of all classes OF men, native OF
foreign born, white or black.
T. Resolved, That immigration of the white race,
there should be unreasonable impediments or de-
lay to naturalization and citizenship the Democratic
party having been uniformly in favor OF liberal policy
toward all persons of foreign birth who in good faith
s. ResoIUed That we will yield obedience to the
| constitution and laws.
O. ResolUed, That we, the Democratic party of
Texas are in favor OF judicous, liberal and uuiorm
| system of internal improvements.
TO- PesolUed, That the Radical State Government
of Texas has forfeited all Claims to the respect OF
mankind by its unconstitutional and oppressive en-
actments and to the end that the citizens of this
| State and of the United States may fully compre'
bend the grievances suffering from the wrongs
| and usurpations of said Radical Government we
charge them as fOllOws:
| FiTst-In violation of the Federal and State Con.
siIuton the Legislature of this State has conferred
on the Governor, in obedience to his own dictation
the power to suspend the writ of habeas corpus TO
declare the civil laws suspended, close the courts
rense our citizens the right of trial by jury and sub
ject them to trial by court martial composed OF men
who know nothing of the rules of law and evidence,
| and this in times of profound peace.
Seeond-They have in violation Of the Oonstlt uton,
likewise at the Governors dictaton, given him the
power by aid of police force, appointed by himself
and Offered by men of his own appointment to sub
ject our citizens to seizure of their persons and
property and subjected their houses to unreasonable
search without warrant and with no probable cause
supported either by oath or affirmation
| Ihird-Tbat said police have without warrant OF
oath or affirmation charging an offenEe, and even
when no offense had been committed, arrested and
imprisoned our citizens and have eXtorted from them
as the terms of release large sums OF money, relus
ing them the benefit Of counsel or trial without being
confronted by their accusers or the witnesses against
them, and under threat of trial by court martial
they refuse the required sum.
Fourth-The Legislature has by enactment, in VIC
laton OF plain constitutional provson, aStnorizeo
the Governor remove officers elected by the people
and appoint men Of his own choice in their place
which power he has repeatedly exercised
| Fith-The Legislature has authorized the Govern
or to appoint thrtyhve district attorneys, when the
Constitution of the State provides that they snail eC
elected, and he has exercised this power and cause
these officers SO illegally appointed TO De pda IN th
the State Treasury, thereby violating the Constitu
ton, and plundering the people. .,.,,.,.,
| Sizth-The Legislature has virtually abohshe'
| every check that secures the purity OF N
balletbox, and throws difficulties in the way OF tu
vote by compelling the people to vote at one pre-
cnct ia each county tickets that are not numbered
for future Identification, thereby rendering the detec
ton of official frauds impossible by failing to adopt
different mode of voting as authorized by the Con
Sepsnf-The Radical party Of the State has oh
tanned power by fraud and intimidation. The Legts
lature seeks to perpetuate this power by making IN
elective franchise dependent on the caprices o
registrars subject to appointment or removal at tn
| caprice of the Governor.
Eiqhth-That the Senate and House OF Represen
tatiyes in utter disregard Of the laws regulating con
tested elections, and without complaint in the name
and time prescribed by law, on eL pdTte statement
or afidayits deprived members of their seats AM
their constituency of representation in the Legisls
ture with the intention of securing for the Radca
party majority in that body.
, Ninth-That having been elected ior q term Q
two wears they have continued their existence as
Legislature for three years by an enactment OF hei
own body. .
thew have established newspapers in each Judieia
Dsrct TO advocate the interests of the Radical
and although many of them had at the time of thei
Establishment no circulation in order to give then
money and support they have compelled public Q
priyate sales ordered by court and sales under exc
Chiffon in any county of the respective districts, 10
published in the paper Of the district at great e1
pense to the widows and orphans Of deceased person
and of creditors of their estates although not sing
copy of the said paper might be taken in the count
where the sale is TO be made.
ETeDenth-It has Just attempted to remove the Raj
, zeal Senator who has denounced their corruption b
eIecting in his stead military officer, who Is not
I | citizen of the State of Texas.
TIreIffh-In view Of these high crimes and politics
2 uisdemeanors of the Radical party commlue
AGAINST the great interests Of the people OF Texas
III, Resol5ed, That we invite all good men, wha
ever may have been their past political preference
TO unite with the Democratic party in removing iro
Mace and power those who now control the Stdt
GoVernment, in order to release the people from o
pressive revenue and unequal taxation, to insure
honest administration Of the laws and an honest az
| economical expenditure Of the public moneys ana
| throw the egis Of justice and protection over y
e person and prosperity Of every individual Wn4Is
n | ever in the State of Texas.