Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-06-09
Vallandigham's Platform.

SINCE the day when Senator Douglas
announced the opposition to the Lecomp-
ton fraud, and proclaimed that if the peo-
pie of Kansas did not want slavery it
should not be forced upon them, there has
been no such formidable and sweeping de-
parture from the accepted policy of the
Democratic party as that proclaimed at
Dayton by Mr.. Vallandingham. Evident
ly new departure has been determined
upon by the Ohio Democracy. Mr.. Val
landingham's platform is in no essential
particular in conflict with the last national
Republican platform. Indeed, II Is some
what in advance of 1t, since the last Ma
tional Republican platform affirmed that the
question of negro suffrage in the North
ought to be left to the States TO decide for
themselves. In one sense, Mr.. Vsllandig-
ham has committed burglary, for he has
broken into the Republican wardrobe and
stolen all the old clothes he could lay his
hands on The question is, whether he
and his party will be thoroughly disguised
in their new garments, or whether they
will be recognized, arrested, and brought
to justice for larceny.
That Mr.. Vallandigham is an able poll
ticlan 1t would be useless to deny. 1t is
not generally known, but it is true, that
he was prepared to sink his own preju-
dices and vote for the nomination of Mr..
Chase in the last Democratic National
Convention. Although not an original
Chase man, as the New York delegates
were, he was willing to become one for
the sake of success. His colleagues from
Ohio, however, would not go with him.
The Border Ruff1ians triumphed, and Sey-
mour was nominated. He has now brought
forward the most startling platform, from
Democratic point of view, that the party
has ever been invited to stand upon. And
he has, undoubtedly, brought it forward
for the same reason that he was prepared
to vote for Chase-for the sake of success.
Having cut loose from all the distinctive
issues upon which the Democratic party
upheld slavery, the rebellion, and the lost
cause, and under which it has held out en-
couragement to the unconquered" chiv-
airy of the South, he marks out and de-
fines the policy which the party must ac' !
cept for the present and future. 1t is de-
clared 1. That the Constitution, with its
amendments, shall be strictly construed.
2 That the Democratic party pledges it. =
self to the faithful execution of the instru-
ment as amended, $50 as to secure equal
rights to all persons under it, without dis
tinction of race, color, or condition."
g. The absolute equality of each State
within the Union, with no power to expel
State, or to deprive it of the rights of
representation in Congress and in the
Electoral College. 4. The maintenance of
State and local governments for State and
local purposes, and a General Govern
ment for national purposes only, with in
dependence of the several departments of
the government. 8. That all acts of leg
islation are repealGule, and may be
changed, and cannot be binding finality
beyond the action of future congresses.
n tOf,,
be passed, z. That the public debt should
be paid as early as possible consistent with
moderate taxation. 8. That the manner
and cost of collecting the revenue
should be reformed, and taxation reduced
to meet the necessities of the govern
ment economically administered. g. That
there shall be a searching reform of the
civil service. 10. That there should be
strictly revenue tariff. IL. Th4t taxation
should be based on wealth, and not on
population, and persons should be COM
PEELED to contribute according to the
amount and not the character of their
property. ~. That specie payments
should be restored. 13. That there is no
necessary conflict between labor and capi-
tal IA. That there shall be no more
grants of land to corporations such lands
to be held as homesteads, or sold to actual
settlers only. Is. That the party will OPP
pose the scheme to acquire San Domingo
las Job " and by the means proposed.
16. That the recent act of Congress, called
the Ku- -Klux bill, is in direct conflict with
the spirit and letter of the constitution.
II. That the Republican party of 1871 is
not the Republican party which existed
previous to the war, nor the "Union party"
during the war, but it is only an admin
lstration, or Grant party, dating back to
record sinlSSss lSsa end is to be judged by its
AS to all that is past, they accept bodily
and without reservation the acts and pol
icy of the Republican party from March
4, 1851, to March 4, 1869. A more Jrium-
phant vindication of the wisdom and rec
titude of the course of that party during
those memorable years has rarely, If ever,
been given by the opposition to the ruling
party in this or any other country.
We presume that Mr.. Vallandigham is
acting advisedly, and that this platform is
not merely the creation of his brain, but
is the result of grave deliberation with
other party leaders. The move is'an adroit
one. but it has its weak points. 1t is in
conflict with the feeling, wishes and hopes
of the leading d mocrats of at least tf-
teen of the States-these fifteen States
having One.third of the electoral vote. 1t
is equally in conflict with the lifelong pre-
judices of large section of the party in a
majority of the other States. Neverthe-
less, il is possible that this platform will
be substantially affirmed in the next Ma
tional Convention. II will, however, still
lack the most important element of sue
cess, and that is the ability to satisfy the
American people that, once in power, the
Democratic party would honestly and
faithfully carry out the programme. 10
be successful, the party must depend upon
the supportof Admiral Semmes, Toombs,
Frank Blair, and every rebel and Con-
federate politician in the country, lnclud-
ing the Ku. Klux. Can party thus con-
stituled, thus led and ofhcered, command
the confidence of the people in promise
to uphold reconstruction, the civil and
political equality of the blacks, and to
execute the Fourteenth and Fifteenth
Amendments of the Constitution? Jump
ing ON the Republican platform is moi
sufficient. The people will probably con
clude that the interests of freedom eau bC
better entrusted to those who have already
fought for freedom than to those who have
always fought against it, Chicago 1ri6un'
THE South Norfolk (Conn.) Sentine
tells a romantic story of young lady
who some months ago was employed as
hat-tTimmer in mandatory OF that city
One day, being more than usually dis
! gusted with her tedious and prosaic occu
patton, on the impulse of the moment sh'
wrote her name and address upon tn,
lining of q hat she had finished, and pa
Y tiently awaited the result. The hat, witt
q hundreds of others, was sent off to tn
, "trade," aud finally purchased by youn
New Yorker, who chanced to discover tn
: name upon the lining Being of roman
i tic turn of mind, he wrote TO the youn
!, lady, an intimacy followed, and the upsho
= was the marriage of the two last week.
}. ABOUT year ago some half doze
n couples of boys and girls, belonging to Ii
n most respectable families of Elmira, N. Y
Q ended frolic by being married, probabl
a " for fun, agreeing to keep it secret, an
s reinrning home To their narents. AhOl