The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-07-11
Adopted at Columbus, O., June Ill,


ted, and the same as no longer political
issues before the country.
Scond-We demand that the rule of
STRICT CONSTRUCTIONS, as proclaimed by
the Democratic fathers, accepted by the
statesmen of all parties previous to the
war, and embodied 10 The Tenth Amepd-
mept 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, ann 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, or
condition.
Thud-That the absolute equality of
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 when
such attempts are in the form of usur-
patton by any department of that Gov
erpmept. And, further, that we adhere
firmly to the principle of maintaining a
perfect independence between the co or
diuate departments of the Government,
the Legislative, the Executive and the
judicial, condemniDg all encroachments
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 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
unquestionabe 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 iuto
execution or enforce the constitutional
powers, rights and duties Of the Federal
Government.
Si1th-That, as an instance Of emf
nently appropriate legislation under the
Fourteenth Amendment, we demand now
of Congress universal amnesty.
Screnth-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 "Bayonei
Bill" recently passed by Congress; aud
the more recent act commonly called the
"Ku Klux Bill, extending by its terms,
to every State; as enacted for DO 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
ment, and revolutionary and dangerous
in their character, but in direc. conflict
with the spirit aud letter Of the Consti-
tuition; ii cluding the amendments which
they pretend to enforce.
Eighth-That holding still to the
good cid Democratic doctrine of annexa.
tiou or acquisitions of territory, we are
yet totally opposed to the scheme OF
President Grant, to acquire San Domingo
as ',job, and by the means and for the
purposes, evidently intended,
Ninth-Tbat We are in favor of strict :
Ily revenue tariff, conformod to the theory
and principles Of all other just and wise
tax laws,and opposed to the protective
theory. so called.
Tenth-That the prohigate corruption
and wauton extravaganza which pervade
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
lie lands, which have been made gift to
railway and other monopolists; the pay
ment of more than twentyfour millions
premium, during the administration of
President Grant. on government bonds
payable at par; the maintenance at an an
nual cost to the people of nearly thirty
millions, of an unconstitutional, oFpres-
sive ard extortionate system of banking,
whereby money is made scarce and inter-
est high, are abuses which call for wise
and thorough remedies.
Eleuenth-T That we are in favor OF
strict economy; of large reduction in
the expenditures of the Federal and
State Governments; of civil service re-
form; of the collection of the internal
revenue by State authorities, aud thereby
return to honest labor, the myriads ol
tax gathercrs who sfiict our land and eat
up its substance; and of the speedy trial,
conviction and punishment of the thieves
who have stolen the taxes paid by the
people.
Teeltth-That while we reject repudi-
alton we equally reject the proposition
to pay the 5onjholders more than the
contract with them demands; that if the
bondhoiders have rights, so have the tax
payers, and we insist upon justice being
done to both That the creditor is enti.
tied to be paid in the same currency he
loaned to the Government; that when be
loaned greenbaeks he should be paid in
ereenbacks, unless the contract other
wise rroVides. and when he loaned gold