The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-09-12
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM
Adopted at Columbus, o. June l,'7l

facts, the three amendments In iact "a
the Constitution, recently declared adop
ted, aud the same as no longer political
issues before the country.
.Seconi-We demand that the rule Of
STRICT CONSTRUCTION as proclaimed by
the Democratic fathers, 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 th~ee recent amendments
above referred to. and insist that these
any respect altered or modified the orig
inal theory and character Of the Federal
Government; but only TO have enlarged
the powers delegated 10 it; and to that
extent, anu 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.
ThId--That the absolute equality Of
each and every State within the Union, Is
Fundamental principle Of the Fedora
Government
Fourth-Tbas we will always cherish
aud uphold the An'eriean system of State
and local government, for State aud To-
cal purposes, aud a General Government
for general purposes only and are uual
terably opposed to all attempts at cen
lralization and consolidation of power
in the hands of the General Govern
ment; and the more especially when
such attempts are in the form of usur-
patton by suy department of that Gov
ernmcnt And, further, that we adhere
firmly to the principle of maintaining a
per 'eet independence between the co or
dinete departments of the Government,
the Legislative, the Executive and the
Judicial, condemning all encroachments
by one upon the functions of the others.
FJih-While the fundamental law as
expressed in the Constitution, is necessa-
rily permanent until abrogattd as pre-
scribed by that instrument, all legislation
is, in its Dature and purpose, temporary,
and subject to change, modification. or
repeal, at the will of majority of the
people, expressed through the law-m
king power; aud 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, oi
themselves and through their represen'
tatives, at each successive Congress, tc
Judge Of what legislation is necessary
and proper or appropriate to carry into
execution or enforce the constitutions
powers, rights aud duties Of the Fedora
Government.
Sirth-That, as an instance Of emi
nently appropriate legislation uuder the
Fourteenth Amendment, we demand nov
Of Congress universal amnesty.
Serenth-That while We denounce al
riotous combinations and consplraeie!
against law or TO disturb the peace, il
the South, or elsewhere, and demand o
all good citizens their utmost infuepc,
to put all such down, We also denounc'
the act commonly called the "Bayone
Bill, recently passed by Congress; ant
the more recent act commonly called th,
I"Ku. Klux Bill" extending by its terms
to every State; as enacted for no othe
purpose than to complete the cenlraliza
tion of all power 10 the hands of th'
General Government, establish militar,
despotism, and thus perpetuate the pres
ent administration without regard to th,
will of the people, and as not only ut
terly inconsistent with the whole theor,
and character of the Federal Govern
ment, and revolutionary and dangerou
in their character, but in direct confic
with the spirit aud letter of the Consti
tuition; including the amendments wbicl
they pretend to enforce. i
Eighth-That holding still to th,
good old Democratic doctrin, of annexa
ton or acquisitions of territory, we ar
yet totally opposed to the scheme o
President Grant, to acquire San Doming'
as sob" and by the means and for th,
purposes, evidently intended.
| Ninth--That we are in favor of strict
ly revenue tariff ,conformed to the theor,
and principles Of all other just and wis
tax laws, and opposed to the protective
theory. SO called.
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
Iracy the wicked deprivation Of the peo
pie of their rightful heritage in the pub
lie lands, which have been made gift t.
railway and other monopolists; the pay
ment Of more than twenty -four million
premium, during the administration o
President Grant, on government bond
payable at par; the maintenance at an an
nual cost to the people of nearly thirt
millions, of an unconstitutional, oFpres
.sive and extortionate system Of banking
whereby money is made scarce and inter
est high, are abuses which call for wis
aud thorough remedies
EleUenth-That We are in favor 0
strict economy; Of large reduction i
the expenditures Of the Federal an
State Governments; Of civil service re
/ form; of the collection Of the interua
revenue by State authorities, and thereb
return to honest labor, the myriads q
tax gatherers who sffiict our land and ca
up its substance; and of the speedy tria
conviction aud punishment Of the thisve
who have stolen the taxes paid by th
people.
Toelth-That while we reject repudi
alton. we equally reject the propositio
, to pay the bondholders more than tn
contract with them demands; that if tn
bondholders have rights, so have the tax
payers, and We insist upon justice bein
done to both. That the creditor is enti
tied to be paid in the same currency h
; loaned to the Government; that when b