The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-05-23

CHAM was pr0cialmeu aG Daylpu, Onlo' on
Thursday last. The occasion was the con-
vention of the Democracy of Montgomery
County to appoint delegates to the State con-
venton which meets ct Columbus On the Isl
OF June In expectancy OF some new and I'M
poriant movement in politics, or to listen to
the new revelations, or 10 lend their counsel,
an unusually large number were assembled.
Among them were the leading lawyers and
business men of the city and county. The
spirit of the meeting was rather quiet and de-
terminea instead Of boisterous and enthusias-
tic. Still there was no lack of the latter ele-
ment, nor Of expressions of unbounied con-
fdence in the success OF the movement. After
the usual preliminary business, Mr.. Vallan-
digham, chairman Of the committee on reso-
lntions, reported the following:
PLATFORM OF. THE SEw DEMOCRACY.
Whereas. The Democratic party. OF 1871 is
made up of men who, previous to and during
the late war, as also for time since, enter
tanned totally different opinions and supported
totally opposite measures as to- the questions
and issues OF those times; and, whereas, 1t Is
reasonable to assume that these same men
still entertain to q large extent their several
opinions, and would, if in like circumstances,
support again substantially Tie SAME measures;
and, whereas, a rational toleration among
men resolved 10 unite in present common
purpose does not require surrender IN any
edgment OF error as 10 measures heretofore
supported, therefore, resolved, by the Demo-
cracy OF Montgomery County,
l. That agreeing to disagree in all respects
as TO the past, we cordially unite upon the
living issues of the day, and hereby invite all
of ~ Dnr m n hpltpCl
upon present issues as We believe, 10 cooperate
fully and actively With us upon the basis OF
perfect equality with every member Of the
Democratic party.
ACCEPTING THE RESULTS OF THE WAR.
e. That waivipS all differences Of opinion as
to the extraordinary means by which they
were brough. about, we accept the natural
and legitimate results of the war, so far as
waged for its ostensible purpose to maintain
the Union and the constitutional rights and
powers of the Federal Government, including
the three several amendments de .Tdcto TO the
constitution recently declared adopted, as the
settlement in fact OF all the issues OF the war,
and acQuiesce in the salle as no longer issues
before the country.
3. That thus burying out OF sight all that is
of the dead past namely. the right Of seces-
sion, slavery, inequality before the law, and
political inequality; and further, now that re-
construction Is complete and representation
within the Union restored to all States, waving
oil question as to the means by which 1t was
accomplished we demand that the vital and
long-estabished rule of strict construction as
proclaimed by the Democratic fathers, accept
ed by statesmen of all parties previous to the
war, and embodied in the tenth amendment TO
the constitution. be vigorously applied now to
the constitution as it is, including the three
recent amendments above referred 10. and IN.
sist that these amendments shall not be held
nlf rnA ~ ry,nf hA
original theory and character OF the Federal
Government as designed and taught by It's
founders, and repeatedly in early times, in
later times. and at oil times affirmed oy the
Supreme Court Of the United States, but only
enlarged the powers delegated to IT., and TO
have extended and not to have abridged the
reserved rights OF States; and as thus con-
strued, according to these ancient and we'll
established rules, the Democratic party pledges
itself to faithful and absolute execution and
enforcement of the constitution as 1t now is,
so as TO secure equal rights to all persons un-
der it, without distinction Of race, color or
condition.
STATE RIGHTS DOCTRINES REAFFIRaED:
4. That the absolute equality of each and
every State within the Union is a fundamental
principle Of the Federal Government, and that
no department OF the government has power
to eXpel State from the Union or deprive it,
under any pretext whatever, -oi its equal
rights therein, including especially the right
of fun and complete representation IN Con-
gress and In the Electoral Colleges.
6. That we will always cherish anu uphoio
the American system OF State and local seil,
government for State and local purposes, and
q General Government for general purposes
only, and are unalterably opposed TO all at.
tempts at centraliZation and consolidation Oh
power in the hands OF the General Govern
ment, and more especially when such at
tempts are in the form of usurpation by any
department of the governments; and further,
we adhere firmly TO the principle of maintain
ing perfect independence between the co-or-
dinate departments of the government; the
legislative. the executive, and the Judicial,
condemning all encroachments by the one
upon upon the functions OF the other.
UNIVERSAL AMNESTY.
c. That outside Of the fundamental law. oil
legislation is in its nature and purposes tem-
porary and subject 10 change, modification nr
repeal, at the will OF the majority OF The 30
ple. expressed through the law making power;
and that the pretence that any ect OF Congress
not executed and spent, or any Legislative poll
CIV of a party, is an absolute fnality. Is totally
Inconsistent with the whole theory OF Republi-
can government; and it Is the unQuestionaDle
right of the people themselves, and through
their representatives at each successive eiec-
1ion and In 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:
Z. That as an instance of eminencfy approprl-
ate legislation under the fourteenth amend
ment, in the name of wisdom. justice and Re.
publican government, and to secure universal
political rights and equality among both the
white aud the colored people OF the United
States, TO the end that we may have peace at
last, we call now, as well on behalf OF the
North as OF the South, upoL Congress 1of
universal amnesty.
8. That we are in favor Of The payment OF
the public debt at the earliest practicable mo-
ment consistent with moderate taxation, ana
the more effectually to secure and hasten lhe
payment We demand the strictest honesty ana
economy in every part Of the administrator Oh
the government
REVENUE AND c1vI1. SERVICE REFJRa.
9. That we are in favor Of such revenue re-
form as will greatly simplify the manner OF
and reduce the number Of officers engaged IN
collecting and disbursing the revenue, ana
largely diminish the now enormous expense 10
the government, and the annoyance and VeSa-
tion to the people attending the same; and.
further, will make the burdens OF taXatlon II
equal, uniform and just, and no greater than
the necessities OF the government, economt-
caily administered. shall require.
10. That we a. u favor oi searching anu
ADEQUATE reform / /. the civil service Of the gov
ernment, SO us to secure taithtuiness. honesty
ond uffic;pnev in all lis branches, and In every