The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-06-13
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
Adopted at ColumbuS,0., June LII.

about, we recognize as accomplished
facts, the three amendments in fac: to
the Constitution, recently declared adop-
ted, and the same as no longer political
issues before the country.
Sccond-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 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, and 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.
Third-That the absolute equality of
each and every State within the Union, is
a fundamental principle of the Federal
Government
Fourth-Thet 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,
tralzation 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
ernment And, further, that we adhere
firmly to the principle of maintaining a
perfect independence between the co-or-
dinate departments of the Government,
the Legislative, the Executive and the
Judicial, condemniDg 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 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 a 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
unquestiona6e right of the people, o.
themselves and through their represen
tatives, at each successive Congress, t.
judge of what legislation is necessary
and proper or appropriate to carry intt
execution or enforce the constitutions
powers, rights and duties of the Fedora
Government.
Si1th-That, as an instance Of emf
nently appropriate legislation under tn
Fourteenth Amendment, we demand nov
of Congress universal amnesty.
Serenth-Tbat while we denounce al
riotous combinations and conspiracie
against law or to disturb the peace, il
the South, or elsewhere, and demand 0
all good citizens their utmost infuenc
to put all such down, we also denounc
the act commonly called the "Bayene
Bill" recently passed by Congress; an
the more recent act commonly called th
"Ku Klux Bill" extending by its term:
to every State; as enacted for no othe
purpose than to complete the centralizi
tion of all power in the hands of tn
General Government, establish militar
despotism, and thus perpetuate the pres
entsadministration without regard to th
will of the people, and as not only III
terly inconsistent with the whole theor
and character of the Federal Govern
ment, and revolutionary and dangerou
in their character, but in direct confit
with the spirit and letter of the Const
tuition; including the amendments whic
they pretend to enforce.
Eighth-That holding still to th
good old Democratic doctrin, of aunexs
ton or acquisitions of territory, we al
yet totally opposed to the scheme
President Grant, to acquire San Domipg
as 'job," and by the means and for th
purposes, evidently intended.
Ninth-Tbat we are in favor of stric
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 corruptio
and wanton extravaganza which pervad
every department of the federal govern
ment; the sacrifices of the interests of |;
Dor to aggrandize a handful of aristo'
racy the wicked deprivation of the pei
; pie of their rightful heritage in the pull
lie lands, which have been made q gift
railway and other monopolists; the pay
ment Of more than twenty-four millior
premium, during the administration {
President Grant. on government bono
payable at. par; the maintenance at an al
nual cost to the people of nearly thirt
millions, Of an unconstitutional, orpre'
sive and extortionate system Of banking
: whereby money is made scarce and inse
! est high, are abuses which call for wis
and thorough remedies,
Eleuenth-That We are in favor {
strict economy; of large reduction
the expenditures Of the Federal an
State Governments; of civil service r.
form; of the collection of the inteIn
revenue by State authorities, and theret
return to honest labor, the myriads
tax gatherers who af1lict our land and Ell
up its substance; and of the speedy tria
conviction and punishment Of the thiev'
who have stolen the taxes paid by tt
people.
Ttcelth-That while we reject repud
, alton. we equally reject the propositio
to pay the bondholders more than Il
contract with them demands; that if II
bondholders have rights, SO have the ia,
payers, and we insist upon justice beiu
done to both. That the creditor is eut
tied to be paid in the same currency
loaned to the Government: that when