The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-06-27
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
Adopted at COlumbuS,0 June LII.

TtTNt--l nat utHuuHclHp i've oAii@oiul'
nary means BY which they we're brought
about, We recognize as accomplished !
facts, the three amendments in fact to
the Constitution, recently declared adop-
ted. and the same as no longer political
issues before the county.
N,c0a{-We demand that th, rule Of
sTBIcT CONSTRUCTION. as proclaimed by
the Democratic f'thers, 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 mo9ifed the orig
inal theory and character Of the Federal
Government; but oGly TO have enlarged |
the powers delegated to it; and to that
extent, ana no more, to have abridged
the reserved rights Of the States; aud
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
il. without distinction of race, color, or
condition.
TAird--That the absolute equality of
each and every State within the Union, is
fundamental principle OF the Federal
Government.
Fou,th-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-
'erably opposed to all attempts at cen
tralzation and consolidation Of power
in the hands Of the General Govern
meut; and the more especially when
such attempts ere 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
dinete departments of the Government,
the Legislative, the Executive and the
Judicial, condemnipg all eDcroachments
by one upon the functions of the others.
FVih-While the fundamental law as
expressed in the Constitution is necessa.
rily permanent until abrogated as pre-
scribed by that instrument, all legislation
is, in It's 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 a par
ty, is an absolute finality, is totally in
consistent with the whole theory of re-
publican government, aud that it is the
unquestionaSle right Ct 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.
Si.rth-That, as an instance Of emf
nently appropriate legislation under the
Fourteenth Amendment, we demand now
of Congress universal amnesty.
,Serenth-That while We denounce all
riotous combinations and conspiracics
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 Kluz Bill, extending by its terms,
to every State; as enacted for no other
purpose than to complete the censraliza-
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
ment, and revolutionary aud dangerous
in their character, but in direct conflict
with the spirit and letter of the Consti-
tution;includipg the amendments which
they pretend to enforce.
Eighth-That holding still to the
good old Democratic doctrino of annexa.
ton or acquisitions of territory, We are
yet totally opposed to the scheme oil
President Grant, to acquire San Domingo
as sob" and by the means and for the
purposes, evidently intended.
: Ninth-That we are in favor Of strict
ly revenue tariff ,conformed to the theory
aud principles Of all other just and wise
. tax laws and opposed to the protective
theory. SO called.
Tenth-That the prohigate corruption
and wanton extravaganza which pervade
every department of the federal govern.
ment; the sacrifices of the interests of la
Dor to aggraudize a handful of aristoc
racy the wicked deprivation of the peo
, pie of their rightful heritage in the pub,
lie lands, which have been made gift tc
railway and other monopolists; the pay
, ment of more than twenty-four millions
premium, during the administration o.
5 President Grant, on government bonds
r payable at par; the maintenance at an an
e nual cost to the people of nearly thirty
) millions, of an unconstitutional, orpres
, sive and extortionate system of banking
: whereby money is made scarce and inter
e est high, are abuses which call for wis
/ and thorough remedies.
! EleUcath-That We are iu favor o
a strict economy; of large reduction il
5 the expenditures of the Federal anC
: State Governments; of civil service re
e form; of the collection of the interna
: revenue by State authorities, and thereb.
return to honest labor, the myriads o
tax gatherers who afilict our land and ca
up its substance; and of the speedy trial
conviction and punishment of the thieve
: who have stolen the taxes paid by th
S people.
Tcelhb-Tbat while We reject repudi
S alton. We equally reject the propositio
: to pay the bondholders more than tn
l. contract with them demands; that if tn
> bondhoidcrs have rights, so h;ve the tax
II payers, and We insist upon justice beiD
/ done to both That the creditor is enti