The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-07-14
OHIO DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM


is said to have written the Platform
and was its especial champion in the
Resolred, BY the Democracy of
Ohio:
First-Tbnt dcnouncing the extra
ordinary means by which they were
brought about, we recognize as ac-
facts the three amend
ments to the Constitution recently
declared adopted, and consider the
same US no longer political issues be-
fore the country.
Seco,d-We demand that the rule
of strict construction. as proclaimed
by the Democrat c fathers, accepted by
statesmen Of all parties previous to
the war, and embodied in the tenth
to the Constitution, be
applied now to the Constitu-
ton as it il, including the recet amend
ments above referred to, andinsistthat
these amendments shall not be held to
have, ia any respect, altered or modi-
fed the original theory aud character OF
the Federal Government but only 10
have enlarged tho power delegated
TO it, and To that extent and no more
to have abridged the reserved rights
of the States; and that, as thus con-
strued, the Democratic party pledges
itself to full, faithful, aud absolute
execution and enforcement Of the
Constitution IA it now is, 80 a. to Sc
cure equal rights 10 all parties usder
1t, without distinction Of race, color
or condition.
Ihud-Tbat the abso ute equality
Of each and every Stale within the
Union il fundamental principle OF
the Federal Government; that We shall
always cherish and uphold the Amer
ican system Of State and local gov
ernment for State aud local purpo-
ses, aud the general Government for
general purposes only, and are un-
alterably opposed to all attempts at
centralization or consolidation of
power in the bands Of the general
Go, erpmcnt, and more especially
when such attemptsare 10 the form of
usurpation by any department Of that
government.
Fourth THAT we adhere firmly to
the principle of maintaining perfect
independence between the coordinate
departments of the Government, the
Legislative, executive and judicial, con-
demning all encroachments by the
one upon the functions Of the other.
Fifth While the fundamental law
as expressed in the Constitution ID
necessarily paramount until abroga-
ted as prescribed by that instrument,
all legislation is III it's nature and
purposes temporary and subject to
change, modification or repeal at the
will of the majority Of the people as
expressed through the law-making
power, and that the pretense that any
act Of Congress, not executed or
spent, or any Legislative policy oi
party il an absolute finality, il total
~ inconsistent with the whole theory
of government, and that 1t Is the
unauestionable right Of the people oi
themselves, and through their lepre-
sentatives at each successive cleo
ton and in each successive Co i.
gress, to Judge what Legislation Is
necessary. proper or appropriate, to
| carry into execution or enforce the
central powers, rights and duties oi
the Federal Government.
Sinth--That Us an instance of the
eminentl, appropriate legislation un.
der the Fourteenth Amendment We
demand now of Congress universal
amnesty.
SerenU,-That while we denounc,
all riotous combinations aud conspir
acies against law or TO disturb peace
in the South or elswhere, and demand
of all good citizens their utmost iniiu
ence To put all such down, we ais,
| denounce the act commonly calico
the Bayonet bill, recently passed b.,
Congress, and the more recent &C
commonly called the ku-kiux bill
extending by its terms to ever
State, and enacted for no other
purpose than to complete the cen
| tralization of all power III tht
hands of the General Government
and to establish IA military despotism
and thus to perpe'uate the presen
administration, without regard to th'
will of the people, and as not onl,
inconsistent with the whole theor,
and character of the Federal Gov
ernment, and as revolutionary an,
"a rserous in their character, but ar,
in n ,'ect conflict with the spirit ant
letter OF the Constitution, includin:
the amen, IN. ents which they preteL,
to enforce. -
Eiollh-That ,,clding still to th'
good old Democra,;c doctrine OF an
nexion or the acquisi,: on OF territory
we are yet totally oppe>'ec 10 tn
scheme of President Grant to ac4ulr'
Santo Domingo, as job, and b., w
means and for the purpose evident,
intended.
Nnh-That we are in favor of a
strictly revenue tariff, conforined tc
the theory and principles of the 9th.
er just and wise tax laws, and oppos,
ed to the protective theory. so called.
7enih-That profigate corruption
and wanton extravaganza which per-
wade every department of our FEEDER.
al Government, sacrifice the interests
of labor, and aggrandize handful ol
aristocrats. are a wicked deprivation
of the people of their rightful heri-
tage in public lands. which have been
made gifts to railroads and other
monopolists pa ing more than TWEEN.
ty millions premium during the ad-
ministration of President Grant in
Government bonds payable at par
maintenance at an annual cost to the
people of nearly thirty millions; and