The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-09-26
'DEMOCRATU PLATFORM.
suoIiBY 9Ili n f.oihIHoa 9jt z
Adapted at Gulumbus,O June l,'H.
i5tiIJIjtg& | io yGh 'agjt 9dl Ga

ted, and the same as no longer political
issues before the country. . ., l,.. j
= Second demand that the rule of
STRICT, CONSTRUCTION, as. proclaimed by
The Democratic fathers, accepted by the
of all parties previous to the
war, aud 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
but only to have enlarged
the powers delegated to it; and to that
extent, ana 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 equalrights to all persons under
ii, without distinction of race, color, or
condition. -,,.-.... ls3aT
,.. Third-That the absolute equality OF
each and every State within the Union, is
d fundamental principle of the Federal
Government.
Fourth-That 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-
terabiy opposed to all attempts at cen
traiization and consolidation of power
in the hands of the General Govern
ment; 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
dinste departments Of the Government,
the Legislative, the Executive and the
Judicial, condemning all encroachments
by one upon the functions of the others.
Ffih-While the fundamental law as
expressed in the { institution. is necessa-
rily permanent until abrogatod as pre-
scribed by that instrument, all legislation
is, in iis nature and purpose, temporary
and subject to, change, modification. Oh
repeal, at the will of majority of the
people, expressed through the lawma.
king power; and that the pretense thai
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
unquestionable right of the people, O
themselves and through their represen
tatives, at each successive Congress, tt
judge of what legislation is necessary
and proper or appropriate to carry into
execution or enforce the constitutions
powers. rights and duties Of the Fedora
Government.
Sirth-That, as an instance of emf
nently appropriate legislation under th'
Fourteenth Amendment, we demand nov
of Congress universal amnesty.
Screnth-That while we denounce al
riotous combinations and conspiracie
against law or to disturb the peace, il
the South, or elsewhere, and demand o
all good citizens their utmost infnenc
to put all such down, we also denouDc
the act, commonly called the "Bayone
Bill, recently passed by Congress; ant
the more recent act commonly called tb
"Ku. Klux Bill" extending by its terms
to every State; as enacted for no othe
purpose than to complete the centraliza
tion of all power in the hands Of tn
General Government, estatlisha a militar,
despotism, and thus perpetuate the pres
ent administration without regard to th
will of the people, and as not only ut
terly inconsistent with the whole theor
! and character of the Federal Govern
ment, aud revolutionary and dangerou
in their character, but in direct confic
with the spirit and letter Of the Consti
tuition; including the amendments whicj
they pretend to enforce.
Eighih-That holding still to th
good old Democratic doctrin, of anpexa
tion or acquisitions of territory, We ar
yet totally opposed to the scheme. @
President Grant, to acquire San Doming
as "job," and by the means and for th
purposes, evidently intended. so )
| Niath-Tbat we are in favor of strict
lily 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 proAigate corruptio
and wanton extrayagance which peryad
every department of the federal govern
tment; the sacrifices Of the interests of la
Dor to aggrandize q handful Of aristoc
racy; the wicked deprivation Of the pee
pie Of their rightful heritage in the pub
lie lands, which have been made gift
railway and other monopolists; the pay
mens Of more than twenty-four million
premium, during the administration c
President Grant, on government bond
payable at par; the maintenance at an an
nual cost to the people Of nearly thirt
millions, of an unconstitutional, orpres
sive and extortionate system Of banking
whereby money is made scarce and inter
est high, are abuses which call for wis
aud thorough remedies.
Eleuenth-That we are in favor Q
strict economy; of large reduction i
the expenditures of the Federal an
State Governments; of civil service re
form; of the collection of the intern;
revenue by State authorities, and thercb
return to honest labor, the myriads {
tax gatherers who sfflict our land and e;
up its substance; and of the speedy tria
conviction and punishment Of the thieve
who have stolen the taxes paid by tt
people. s2fa7
| Tpelfh-That while we reject repud
alton. we equally reject the propositio
/ to pay the bondholders more than th
i contract with them demands; that if II
bondholders have rights, so have the ia,
payers, and we insist upon justice bein
done to both. That the creditor is ent
tied to be paid in the same currency b
loaned to the Government; that when b
loaned greenbacks he should be paid