Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-08-16
m. Texas DemocratIe Platform.

semi- Radical heresies, to be found IN
the State platform OF the gallant
Texas Democracy. There the exam
ple of noble Kentucky, the banner Of
undeniable truths, for which only
freemen contend, and which only
they who are ready to be slaves will
surrender, streams to the light OF a
rising sun, the lone, u~ndiminished
star of a coming glorious destiny.
Weak kneed men, ready to bow to
every new step of usurpation, for Of
fee and pelfs sake, are few ana lar
between. and uninfuential in Texas.
That greatest Of the States reasserts
its devotion to constitutional liberty,
and resolves, instead OF submitting to
despotism, to oppose every fresh step Of
the usurpers, to the end that the whole
people may be aroused to action to
protect at the ballot-boX so much Of
liberty and good government as re-
mains to them.
They resolve that they have an
abiding confidence that the National
Democratic party will never abandon
its time-honored principles, and that
they will cooperate in the effort to
restore the Government in its adj
ministration to the principles on
which it was founded. They rely on
the honesty and capacity OF the peO-
Die for self government. They de-
clare that the Constitution, as
formed by the free voice Of the States,
is the foundation Of the powers OF
government, that these are re-
stricted to the express grants
OF the Constitution, and that
powers not granted are reserved
to the States and the People;
that the regulation of the sui
frage ana elections belongs to the
States; that interference Herewith by
the Federal government with intent
to.control either is a gross usurpation;
that the use of the military for that
purpose at elections is subversive of
free government, and should be resist
ed without stint until the entire free
dom OF The ballot is restored; that the
abolition of slavery is accepted as a
result Of the war; that they will seek
no return to that condition, but will
provide by State legislation for the
rights and well being of all classes in
the thus acknowledged and altered
condition; that immigration should
be encouraged, and prevented by no
unreasonable impediments Dr. de-
LAYS to naturalization; that faith
full obedience will be given to
the Constitution and laws; that liberal
and uniform internal improvements
should be encouraged. That the
Radical government Of Texas has for
feited all claims to respect by its
oppressive enactments; that, in
imitation Of federal usurpations, the
Legislature has, ia obedience to the
dictation of the Governor, conferred
on him the power to suspend the
hG5eas corpus, suspend the laws, close
the courts, deny trial by jury, and try
by court martial, composed Of men
ignorant Of law and reckless Of Justice
in time of profound peace; that on
the same dictation the Legislature has
conferred on the Governor the power
to select and officer a police force,
reckless Of the rights of person and
property, ~subjecting both to unrea-
sonable search without warrant, or
probable cause, Or support by
oath or affirmation; that such police
force so unauthorized and established,
and without proof from oath or
affirmation that any offence has been
committed, has arrested and impris-
Oned citizens, extOrted as the price Of
release large sums Of money, refused
benefit Of counsel, or trial, OF the
TO be confronted by accusers and
witnesses, under threat of cOurt-mar-
tial; that the same legislature has {
authorized the Governor to remove
officers elected by the people, and ap-
pointed lei of his own choice to !
their places, and that this he has re- !
peatedly done; that the same body
has empowered the said Governor TO |
thirty-five district attOrnies, !
he election of whom is provided for ?
BY the constitution, and that this q
power he has exercised; and to pay '
hem salaries, robbed the people :
Inlawfully and annually of 4
~, 1000; that he has defeated the fl
Of the ballot, and thrown diff .
in the way by compelling :
whole counties to vote at only one :,
precinct, by ballots not numbered for d
Identification, and so preventing the y
detection of such official frauds as may Y
ave been committed; that the Rad j
cal party has obtained and held v
by intimidation and fraud, and &
hat the Legislature seeks to perpetu- =
te it by making the elective fran !
hise dependent on the capriees of o
registrars, at viii appointed and re- b
loved by the Governor; that the s.
legislature has, on eS pGTte state Il
lents, in disregard Of the election n
I'VE, deprived members Of seats and fo
heir constituency of representation n
nat being elected for two years, the u
legislature has continued itsel- "a
II three by its own enact ia
lent; that to corrupt aud subsi- ri
ise the press, it has established news y
spers In each judicisl district to adj =,
Ocate interests Of the Radical party; "
lat TO support them when without hs
reulation, they have compelled all ~ ~
gal notices through the columns Of y,
Ich papers, even in cases where not &c
copy was taken in the county su
herein q sale Twas TO be made; that
has attempted to remove a Radical
'nator who had denounced its cor- ~,
by electing in his stead a mill
ary officer not q citizen Of the
ate.
Thus does the Democratic party Of
set forth its grievances in a bill FIR
complaint which should shame any {
'ople not a nation Of thieves. Thns sly
ey have presented an array of sac- ga
mplisbed facts" which should ~
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