The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1871-06-08

of the Committee TCheers.1 am gratifed to
say that in my whole political life have never
witnessed sIich earnest desire as character1z-
ed the members of the committee in their de-
| iiberations, to accomplish the right preserve
the harm ony, and secure the triumph Oh the
Democratic party.
Gen Morgan then read the report, as folloWs
THE PLATFORM.
Resolved by the Democracy of Ohio:
First-That denouncing the extraordinary
means by which they were brought about,
we recognize accomplished facts the three
amendments. in fact, TO the Constitution re-
! Gently declared adopted. and regard the same
as no longer political issues before the country.
Second-We demand that the rule of strict
construction, as proclaimed by the Demo-
cratic fathers, accepted by the statesman of
all parties previous to the war. and embodied
| in the Tenth amendment to the Constitution
be vigorously applied now TO the Constitu-
| tion as it Is, including the three recent
| amendments, above referred to, and insist
that these amendments shall not be held to
| have altered or modified the original theory
and character of the Federal Government,
but only have enlarged the powers of it and
| to that extent and more, to have abridged
| the reserved rights of the States and that, as
thus construed, the Democratic party pledg-
es itself to the faithful execution and enforce
ment of the Constitution, as it now is, so as
to secure equal rights to all persons under it
| without distinction of race, color or condl-
tion.
Third-That the absolute equality of each
and every State of the United States is a
fundamental principle of the Federal Gov
ernment.
Fourth-That we will always cherish and
uphold the American system of State and
local government for State and local purpos-
es, and general government for general pur-
poses only and are unalterably opposed to
all attempts al Capitalization OF power in the
hands of the general government, and the
more especially when such attempts are in
favor of usurpation by any department of
the government; and further. that We adhere
firmly to the principle of maintaining per-
feet Independence between the co-ordinate
departments of the goYernmeni-the Legis-
latlve, the Executive and Judicial /; condemn
ing all eneroachments by one upon the func-
tions of the other.
FifIh-While the fundamental law, as ex-
pressed in the Constitution, is necessarily
pernlanent until abrogated prescribed by
that INSTRUMENT, all legislation Is III nature
and purpose temporary, and subject To
change, modification or repeal, at the will of
mojority of the people, expressed through
the law w-making power, and that the pretense
that one act OF Congress was not executed
e
party is an absolute tinalty, is totally incon-
sistent with the whole theory of republican
government, and that it is the unquestiOna-
bic right of the people, of themselves and
through their representatives, at each success
sive election and in each successive Congress,
to Judge of what legislation is necessary and
proper or appropriate to carry into execution
and enforce the constitutional powers, rights
and duties of the Federal government.
Sixth-That as an instance of eminently
appropriate legislation under the Fourteenth
amendment, we demand now of Congress,
universal amnesty.
Seyenth-That while we denounce allriOt-
Gus combinations and conspiracies against
the law, or to disturb the peace in the South
or elsew here, and demand of all good citi-
zens, their utmost influence 10 pnt all such
down, we also denounce the act commonly
called the Bayonet Bill. recently passed by
Congress, and the more recent act, commonly
called the Ku klux Bill, extending by terms
to every State, as enacted for other purposes
than the complete Capitalization of all poy-
ers in the hands of the general government,
establish a military despotism, and thus
perpetuate the present administration with
out regard TO the will of the people; and not
only utterly inconsistent with the whole the
ory and character of the Federal government,
and revolutionary and dangerous in their ma
ture but in direct conflict with the spirit and
letter of the Constitution, including the
amendments which they pretend TO enforce.
Eighth-That holding still TO the good old
Democratic doctrine of annexation or acqui-
sition of territory, we are yet totally opposed
to the scheme of President Grant to acquire
San Domingo as job, by the means and
for the purposes evidently intended.
Ninth-That we are in favor OF a strictly
revenue tariff, oonformed TO the theory and
principles of all other just and wise tax laws,
and opposed to the protective theory, So
called.
Tenth-That the profigate corruption and
rwanton extravaganza which pervades every
department of the Federal govern ment, the
sacrifice of the interest of labor to aggrandize
handful of aristocrats, the wicked depriya-
ton of the people of their rightful heritage
in the public lands. which have been made
gift to railroad and other monopollsts, the
payment of more than twenty -four millions
premium during the administration OF Pres
ident Grant in Government bonds payable at
par, the maintenance at an annual cost to the
people of nearly thirty millions of an uncon-
stitnted oppression and extortionate system
of banking, whereby money is made scarce
and interest high, in abuses which call for
wise and thorough remedies.
Eleventh-Tbat we are in favor of strict
economy, of large reduction in the expend-
itures of the Federal and State governments,
enue by state authorities, and thereby return
| to honest labor the myriads of tax-gatherers
| who eat up the substance of the land; and of
| the speedy trial. conviction and punishment
! of the thieves who have stolen the tpXes paid
| by the people.
Twelfth-That while we reject repudiation
We reject the proposition to pay bond-holders
more than the contract demands; that If
bond holders have rights, so have the tax
payers, and we insist upon justice being done
to both. That the creditor is entitled to be
| paid in the same currency which he loaned
to the government; that when he loaned
greenbacks, he should be paid in greenbacks,
unles the contract otherwise provides, and
when he loaned gold, he should be paid in
gold. That to guard against too great an ex-
pansion, gleenb backs shonld be made convert
ible into three per cent. bonds, at the option
of the note holders, said bonds to be redeem
ed in greenbacks on demand. That the true
method of returning to specie payments is to
make custom dues payable in legal tender
currency, whether paper money or gold that
such policy would secure q uniform curren-
cy, stop gambling in gold, and thereby ele-
vate the credit of the Government
Thirteenth-That With the watchword OF
REFORM, we confidently go TO the coun-
try that we believe the interests of the great
BODY of the people are the same; that with
| out regard to past political associations. they
are the friends OF Tree government; that they
are equally honest, brave and patriotic, and
we appeal to them as to our brothers and
countrymen to aid us to obtain relief from
the grievous abuses which wrong and oppress
everyone, except the wrong-doers and op-
pressors themselves.
| Fourteenth-Upon State issues we resolve
that we are in favor of calling convention,
as provided for by Article XVI, Sec. 3. of
the State Constitution.
Mr.. Morgan moved the adoption of the re-
port of the committee read
Mr. Vallandigham-I second the motion.
MINORITY REPORT.
Mr. Hurd, of Lucas, from the minority of
the committee (himself and Mr.. Uhl, of
Holmesl, read the annexed minority report:
The minority of your committee having
opposed in consultation the proposition rec
ognizing the so-called fourteenth and fif-
teenth amendments because they are neither
de facto nor ad jure parts of the Constitution
of the United States, propose to the conven-