The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-07-18
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
Adopted at Columbus,0., June III.

Frst-That denouncing he extraordi.
nary means by which they were brought
about, we recognize as accomplished
facts, the three amendments in fac. to
the Constitution, recently declared ndop-
ted. and the same as no longer political
issues before the country. ....
Sccond-We demand that the rule of
STRICT CONSTRUCTION, as proclaimed by
the Democratic fathers, accepted by the
statesmen of all parties previous to the
war, and embodied in the Tenth Amend
ment to the Constitution, be vigorously
applied now to the Constitution as it is,
including the three recent amendments
above referred to, and insist that these
amendments shall not be held to have in
any respect altered or modified the orig
inal theory and character Of the Federal
Government; but only to have enlarged
the powers delegated to it; and to that
extent, ano no more, to have abridged
the reserved rights of the States; and
that, as thus construed, the Democratic
party pledges itself to the 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, OF
condition. l.<t -
Third-That the absolute equality oi
each and every State within the Union. is
a fundamental principle of the Federal
Government.
Fourth-That we will always cherish
and uphold the American system of State
and local government, for State and To-
cal purposes, and General Government
for general purposes only; and are unal
terably opposed to all attempts at cen
tralization and consolidation Of power
in the hands of the General Govern
meut; and the more especially wher
such attempts are in the form of usur
patton by any department of that Gov
ernment. And, further, that We adher,
firmly to the principle of maintaining I
perfect independence between the co-or
dinate departments Of the Government
the Legislative, the Executive and tn,
Judicial, condemuing all encroachment
by one upon the functions of the others
Ftih-While the fundamental law a
expressed in the Constitution. is necessa
rily permanent until abrogated as pre-
scrbed by that instrument, all Legislation
is, in its nature and purpose, temporary
and subject to change, modification. o
repeal, at the will of majority of tn
people, expressed through the law.ma
king power; and that the pretense tha
any act Of Congress not executed an
spent, or any legislative policy of par
ty, is an absolute finality, is totally in
consistent with the whole theory Of re
publican government, aud that it is tn
unquestionable right of the people, q
themselves and through their represen
tatives, at each successive Congress, t
Judge of what legislation is necessar
and proper or appropriate to carry int
execution or enforce the constitutions
powers, rights and duties of the FEEDERS
Government.
Sirth-That, as an instance of em
nently appropriate legislation under th
, Fourteenth Amendment, we demand no
of Congress universal amnesty.
Serenth-That while We denounce a
riotous combinations and conspiracit
against law or to disturb the peace,
the South, or elsewhere, and demand {
all good citizens their utmost infuene
to put all such down, we also denoune
the act commonly called the "Bayon,
Bill" recently passed by Congress; an
the more recent act commonly called th
"Ku- -Klux Bill" extending by its term
to every State; as enacted for no otht
purpose than to complete the centraliz
ton of all power in the hands of tt
!, General Government, establish militar
! despotism, and thus perpetuate the pre-
! ent,administration without regard to ii
will of the people, and as not only u
terly inconsistent with the whole theor
|, !, and character of the Federal Govern
ment, and revolutionary aud dangerol
in their character, but2in direct confli
with the spirit and letter of the Const
= = tuition; including the amendments whic
: they pretend to enforce.
' Eghth-That holding still to Il
good old Democratic doctrin, Of annex
8 ton or acquisitions of territory, We Al
e yet totally opposed to the scheme
0 President Grant, to acquire San Domins
!. as 'job," and by the means and for Il
purposes, evidently intended.
' Niath-That we are in favor of q stric
4 ly revenue tariff, f,conformed to the theol
Y and principles Of all other just and wi
!, tax laws,and opposed to the protective
t theory. so called.
d Tenth-That the prohigate corruptie
g and wanton extravaganza which pervat
every department of the federal goverl
ment; the sacrifices Of the interests of !
Dor to aggrandize a handful of aristo
q racy the wicked deprivation of the pc
2 2 pie of their rightful heritage in the pu
= lie lands, which have been made gift
4 railway and other monopolists; the pa
!. ment of more than twenty-four million
!. premium, during the administration
President Grant, on government bon
!, payable at par; the maintenance at an a
/ nual cost to the people of nearly thir
millions, of an unconstitutional, oPpre
h sive and extortionate system of bankin
o whereby money is made scarce and int
est high, are abuses which call for wi
e aud thorough remedies.
n Eleuenth-That we are in favor
s strict economy; of large reduction
!. the expenditures of the Federal al
v State Governments; of civil service r
!. form; of the collection of the intern
revenue by State authorities, and thercl
return to honest labor, the myriads
tax gatherers who afflict our land and G
up its substance; and of the speedy trii
conviction and punishment of the thiev
8 who have stolen the taxes paid by Il
, people.
: Toclith-That while we reject repud