The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-10-03
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
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Adopted at ColumbuS,O June l,'7l.

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 1t 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, ano no more, to have abridged
the reserved lights of the States; and
that, as thas 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, OF
condition,
Thrd-That the absolute equality o
each and every State within the Union, i:
a fundamental principle of the Fedora
Government.
Fomth-That we will always cherish
and uphold the American system of State
and local government, for State and 10
cal purposes, and General Government
for general purposes only; and are unal
terably opposed to all attempts at cen
tralization and consolidation Of poweI
in the hands of the General Govern
ment; and the more especially wher
such attempts are in the form of usur
patton by any department of that Gov
erament And, further, that we adher,
firmly to the principle of maintaining
perfect independence between the co or
dinate departments of the Government
the Legislative, the Executive and tn
Judicial, condemniug all encroachment
by one upon the functions of the Others
FJih-While the fundamental law a
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. o
repeal, ,iat the will of a majority of tn
people, expressed through the law-ma
king power; aud that the pretense tha
any act of Congress not executed an
spent, or any legislative policy of par
ty, is an absolute finality, is totally il
consistent with the whole theory of re
publican government, and that 1t is tn
unquestionaSle right Of the people, c
themselves and through their represeu
tatives, at each successive Congress, t
Judge of what legislation is necessay
and proper or appropriate to carry int
execution or enforce the constitutions
powers, rights and duties Of the FEEDERS
EGovernment
/ Strth-Tbat, as an instance of EN-
nently appropriate legislation under th
Fourteenth Amendment, we demand no
Of Congress universal amnesty.
,Serenth-That while We denounce a
riotous combinations and conspiraci'
against law or to disturb the peace,
the South, or elsewhere, and demand
all good citizens their utmost infuenc
to put all such down, we also depount
the act commonly called the "Bayon
Bill" recently passed by Congress; an
lathe more recent act commonly called Il
"Ku- Klux Bill" extending by its term
to every State; as enacted for no 9th,
purpose than to complete the centraliz
! tion of all power in the hands of II
/ General Government, establish milital
despotism, and thus perpetuate the pre-
ent administration without regard to Il
will of the people, and as not only u
terly inconsistent with the whole theol
and character Of the Federal Cover
ment, and revolutionary and dangero'
in their character, but in direct confi
with the spirit and letter of the Const
tuition; including the amendments whic
they pretend to enforce.
/ Eighth-That holding still to Il
good old Democratic doctrin, Of annex
: tion or acquisitions of territory, we a
; yet totally opposed to the scheme
President Grant. to acquire San Donlin!
as '.job, and by the means and for t
purposes, evidently intended.
) Niath-That We are in favor of a strie
ly revenue tariff ,conformed to the theo
) and principles of all other just and wi
: tax laws, land opposed to the "protectiv
: theory. SO called. Is
, Teath-That the prohigate corrupti
and wanton extravaganza which perva
every department of the federal COVER
ment; the sacrifices of the interests Of
|. Dor to aggrandize a handful of aristo
: racy = the wicked deprivation of the pc
pie of their rightful heritage in the pu
lie lands, which have been made gift
railway and other monopolists; the pa
a ment Of more than twenty-four millio
premium, duriog the administration
President Grant. on government bon
: payable at par; the maintenance at an q
q nual cost to the people of nearly thir
G millions, Of an unconstitutional, oFpre
: sive and extortionate system Of bankir
D whereby money is made scarce and in.t
est high, are abuses which call for wi
and thorough remedies
Eeventh-That we are in favor
q strict economy; of lprse reduction
. the expenditures Of the Federal a
u State Governments; of civil service |
: form; of the collection of the INTER-
reveLue by State authorities, and there
return to honest labor, the myriads
tax gatherers who afilict our land and {
}, up its substance; and of the speedy tri
Q conviction aud punishment of the THE,
J. who have stolen the taxes, paid by I
+ people.
: Tyclth-That while we.rejeet repu,
: alton. We equally reject the propositi
II to pay the bondholders more than
q contract with them demands; that if t
i Fbondholders have rights, so have the ia
ri payers, and we insist upon justice bel
: Edone to both. That the creditor is en-
q tied to be paid In the same currency