Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-05-02
0tforo 1emotrat.
i,A3IS, NAME, MAY 2. 1871.
The Democratic Platform,

OhlttU states, Whlcn may % lcSatuNu, rs
il was intended TO he, declaration of the
policy and principles upon which the par
ty will go into the next Presidential Cam
paign.
Il IS true the address does not entirely
unite the patty, tor several Of the promi.
nant democratic papers in the country.
have expressed their dissent, some affirm
ing that il is too tame, others. that il is a
confession Of weakness on the Ku.klux
question. as it very positively appeals to
their Southern allies, not to damage their
prospects in the Mouth by too much vio-
lcncc. Its language on this topic is as
follows:
1--WE earnestly entreat our fellow cili
zenS. in all parts OF the United States TO
spare no efforts to maintain peace and
order, carefully protect the rights of ev.
cry citizen to preserve kindly relations
among all men, and Ia diScOuntenance
and discourage any violations OF the
right OF any portion OF the people seoul
ed under the Constitution or any amend
mentS. Let Us in conclusion. earnestly
beg you not TO aid the present attempts
of the radical partisans TO stir up strife
in the land, TO renew the issues of war.
or TO okstruct the return of peace and
prosperity to the southern States"
We would publish the address entire.
but for its length. and the fact that we
desire to lay before our readers more in
teresting matter. We can 90 entire JUS
tice TO the document, and give Sufli.
cient idea OF it, by commenting upon its
principal points. and giving the go-by to
the greater portion OF il. which is but a
rehaSh OF the arguments OF democratic
stump orators, since the commencement
of the rebellion, and OF groundleSS as
sertionS. which are not proven, but have
been disproved by history, over and over
again.
The address commences with the decla-
ration that we feel called upon to utter
few words of warning against the alarm
ing strides they (the republican party
have made towards Capitalization of
power in the hands Of Congress and the
Executive
This is the old rebel yeH against amy
attempt Of the government to assert its
authority, and enforce law and order
President Lincoln was denounced n
usurper when he called Tor troops to put
down the rebellion. Congress was de-
nounced As exercising GENERALIZATION of
power" when it stood by the Executive.
and voted supplies tor the Union army
the Secretary of War was abused for ex-
ereiSing the war power, and now and
then arreSting cOpperheads in the
north, who were defaming the govern
ment At home, AMI trying TO provoke
resistance. prevent drafts. encourage
skedadling. &c. Alarming strides, in.
deed-the best exhibitions OF these pedes-
THAN performances were Witnessed by
democratic scare.crowS. about the time
draft was apprehended, Ii President
buchanan and the democrsie patty had
put little Capitalization OF power into
the hands OF the Congress and the Exec.
utive. they might have put stop TO the
sparks Of rebellion which, but lor this
lamentablc lack. had never been famed
into such terrible flame OF dcya~ta
ton and ruin.
The address next allirms that no wise
restraints imposed by The Constitution.
have checked the reckless and desperate
career oil the lcpublican leaders. Great
regard for the Constellation have demo.
cratic leaders They invoked its aid to
support Slavery and the Fugitive Slave
Law, and to aid the rebellion. and now.
forsooth, 10 Sars h. democratic pariy
There was no power in the Constitution.
said the democratic party and James Blu.
chanan, to put down the rcbellon-therc
is no power in the Constitution. say the
same democratic leaders, now. to put
down the spd,ra OF another rebellion, the
ku-kluX organizations of the south.
Some folks pirate about unconstitution.
n measures very glibly, who don, know
the first principles OF this great JEaq,lq
Cdarta OF republican principles Let Us
quote little OF the Pr,am5l. of the in
strument 10 enlighlcn them The Ian.
suage Is: in order o form mole per
feet union. 6. lblish justice, insure do.
nestle tranquility, provide loy he com
mon defence promote The general welfare
and secure the blessings OF liberty to our
selves anil our posic,ity," the Con>ti,u-
ton was ordained and established
When has Pres. Grant, we ask, or any
military officer in the South. exercised
any military authority where the d0meSiic
tranquility OF the community was not
outraged Have Rot $4,000 ku-klux rs.
saSSinationS in the South. since the close
Of the rebellion, with the many acts OF
violence perpCtrated al the polls npon
the unofiending colored men and their
white sympathizers. to deter them IRON
voting, been sufficient to warrant inter
ference on the part OF the national gov
ernment2 II not, tor Gods sake. what
more is demanded
The address complains that President
Grant has been formally introduced as u
candidate for rc election We don't
wonder tina: this troubles our opponents.
1t did before. aud they see nothing Tut
defeat staring them in The face. At the
repetition eli such monSirosity Poor