The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-09-14
WISCONSIN DEMOCRATIC PLAT
FORM.

the State under Democratic rule as con.
trasted with the enormous body of taxa
Ition and a protligate expenditure Of the
succeeding Republican state administra-
tions, and that the Democratic party, if
restored to power, will observe economy,
retrenchment and reform in every de-
partment OF the state government.
Second. That the wise restriction en-
acted in the tenth amendment to the ma
tional Constitution reserving to the states
respectively and to the people all powers
not delegated to the United States is one
of the strongest safeguards Of popular
freedom that the acts Of Congress and of
the Federal Administration usurping
powers not delegated in the Constitution,
ana breaking down the distinctions be-
tween the powers Of the state govern
ments and those of the general govern
ment, are destructive to constitutional lib
erty and threaten the overthrow Of our
existing form If local and Federal GOV
eminent, and tend to the establishment of
a permanent centralized despotism in
Congress and the national Executive and
that we denounce as viscious offshoot of
of the centlalIzing tendencies of the Gen
eral Government, the frequent attempts of
! the agents of the Federal administration
to interfere in local political affairs.
Third. That we are in favor of tar,
if for revenue only; that under the pre-
text Of raising revenue within the past
ten years the national Congress has es-
tablished and continues that enormous
robbery OF the masses tor the enrichment
OF the few known as the "protective tariff
system, which has swept our commerce
from the seas, and fettered and oppressed
every agricultural pursuit-a system Of
which the canOns Of the Republican par
ty equivocally and haltingly speak in
their platforms, but from which the peo-
pie may hope for no relief but by the res
toration of Democratic rule.
Fourth. That by corruption and pro-
figacy the present administration have
squaDdered large portions Of the public
domain, and enormous sums from the ma
tional treasury that it is no answer to
this complaint that they have paid some
portion OF the national debt, for by wise
land economical use of the internal rev
enue, which an unprecedented taxation
has raised, much greater reduction in
the debt should have been accomplished;
but that the Democratic party opposes
taxation for the mere sake of a speedy
payment of the debt, believing that by
wisdom and justice in the adjustment of
taxes, and economy in the expenditures,
the national debt may be paid with suf-
fcient rapidity, with but light burden
upon the industry and resources of the
people; and that we are opposed to all
forms Of nationel reputation, either of
the debt or the pensions and bounties due
the soldiers.
Fifth. That as the late amendments to
the Constitution have been declared by
the properly-cOn3tituted authorities to be
part Of the fundamental law Of the land,
they are binding upon the people; that
the Democratic party now, as in the past,
know no higher law than the Constitu-
ton; that the time honored principle of
strict construction applied By it's trainers,
and accepted by the wisest statesmen and
.iurists of the country, should be observed
II all legislation by Congress relating to
the Constitution and its amendments; |
that the Democratic party is opposed to
the withdrawal of civil and political
rights frem any class of the people, and |
that we demand the removal Of all politi-
cal publications.
Sixth. That the defalcations, embez.
Elements and cOrruptions of the National
Administration, and the prostitution of
legislation to the demands of unscrupu-
lous Hobbies and greedy monopolies, are
national scandal and disgrace, the most
dangerous blow to the public credit, and
an intolerable outrage upon the taxpayers
of the country.
Seventh. That as the representatives
of Constitution-loving and law-abidino
party, we deprecate and denounce every
outbreak of lawlessness and violence,
whether committed at the North or the
South, and that the acts of Congress which
authorize the employment Of the standing
army to garrison the places where cleo
tions are to be held, and to constitute a
local police force in the states, and which
empower the officers of the Federal Ad-
ministratlon to interpose military force
for the purpose of overthrowing political
conventions OF the people, are subversive
OF free government, and perpetual men
ace to public liberty.
Eighth. That while the people of this
country hope that in the time to come
they may extend the blessings of our form
of government over the entire continent,
the course pursued by the national adj
ministratien in its efforts to annex San
Domingo was an unjustifable usurpation
and wicked attempt to lay hold of the
faith of this people in their high destiny
for unworthy purposes of personal gain.
Ninth. That, while it is a state duty
to foster all proper improvements of the
rivers within our borders. the character
of the improvement begun and projected
on the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, ard the
benefits to be derived there from ara such