The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-08-01
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
Adopted at CoIumbus,0. June It'll


nary means by which they were brought
about, We recognize as accomplished
facts, the three amendments in fact to
the Constitution, recently declared ador-
ted, and the same as no longer political
issues before the country.
/ Sccond-We demand that the rule Of
sTRlrT CONSTRUCTION. as proclaimed by
the Democratic fathers, accepted by the
statesmen of all parties previous to the
war. and embodied 10 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, pnd 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
|
secure equal rights to all persons under
it, without distinction of race, color, or
condition.
Thid-That the absolute equality Of
each and every State within the Union, is
fundamental principle of the Federal
Government.
FOuth--That we will Always cherish
and uphold the American system of State
and local government, for State aud 10.
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 when
such attempts are in the form of usur-
patton By any department of that Gov
ernment. And, further, that we adhere
firmly to the principle of maintaining
perfect independence between the co or
dinate departments of the Government,
| the Legislative, the Executive and the
Judicial, condemniug all epcroachments
by one upon the functions Of the others.
FVih-While the fundamental law as
expressed in the Constitution. is necessa-
rily permanent until abrogatod as pre-
scribed by that Instrument, all legislation
is, in its nature and purpose, temporary,
and subject to change, modification, or
repeal, at the will of majority of the
people, expressed through the law ma
king power; and that the pretense that
any act Of Congress not executed and
: spent. or any legislative policy of par
ty, is an absolute finality, is totally in
consistent with the whole theory of re-
publican government, and that it is the
: unquestionable right of the people, Of
themselves and through their represen-
tatives, at each successive Congress, to
judge of what legislation is necessary
and proper or appropriate TO carry into
execution or enforce the constitutional
powers, rights and duties Of the Federal
Government.
Sinth-That, as an instance Of emf
nently appropriate legislation under the
Fourteenth Amendment, we demand now
of Congress universal amnesty.
Seuenth-That while we denounce all
riotous combinations and conspiracies
against law or to disturb the peace, in
the South, or elsewhere, and 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 its terms,
+ to every State; as enacted for no other
/ purpose than to complete the ceniraliza-
, tion of all power in the hands of the
, General Government, establish military
despotism, and thus perpetuate the pres
ent administration without regard to the
will Of the people, and as not only ut
: terly inconsistent with the whole theory
and character of the Federal Govern
D ment, and revolutionary and dangerou:
e in their character, but in direct conflict
S with the spirit and letter of the Consti
D tuition; including the amendments which
t they pretend to enforce.
Eighh-That holding still to the
good old Democratic doctrine of annexa
!, , ton or acquisitions of territory, we are
u yet totally opposed to the scheme o
: President Grant, to acquire San Domingo
as '.job," and by the means and for the
purposes, evidently intended.
Niath-That We are in favor of strict
ly revenue tariff, ,conformed to the theory
: and principles of all other just and wist
tax laws,and opposed to the protective
+ theory. so called.
9 Tenth-That the profigate corruption
and wanton extravaganza which pervad'
every department of the federal govern
ment; the sacrifices of the interests of la
: Dor to aggrandize a handful of aristoc
; racy, the wicked deprivation of the peo
:, pie Of their rightful heritage in the pub
e lie lands, which have been made gift t.
IS railway and other monopolists; the pay
W ment Of more than twenty-four million
d premium, during the administration o
1t President Grant, on government bond
: payable at par; the maintenance at an an
r, nual cost to the people of nearly thirt.
8 millions, of an unconstitutional, orpres
l. sive and extOrtlonate system OF banking
IS whereby money is made scarce and inter
+ est high, are abuses which call for wis
?, and thorough remedies,
h Eleuenth-Tbat We are in favor o
1t strict economy; of large reduction il
C the expenditures Of the Federal an,
d State Governments; of civil service re
form; of the collection of the interna
revenue by State authorities, and thereb
J.. return to honest labor, the myriads Q
:. tax gatherers who af1ict our land and ca
J. up its substance; and of the speedy tria
II conviction and punishment Of the thieve
e, who have stolen the taxes paid by tn
= people.
h Ttoelth-That while we reject repudi
4 alton. We equally reject the propositio
e to pay the bondholders more than tn
N contract with them demands; that if tn