Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1872-06-22
Democratic Platform.

We, the Democrats Of the State of Texas,
in Convention assembled, deem it proper
to announce our opinions and purposes
in the present critical condition of public
affairs. 1t is, therefore, resolved.
| !. That we have undminished confidence
in the timc-honored principles of the De-
mocracy, as embodied in The platform of
the Democratic Convention OF Austin,
January 25, 1871, hcreunto annexed and
made part Of this platform, and believe
that the welfare and prosperity of the
country will never be fully restored till
those principles are in the ascendant but
we recognize, as an alarming fact, that the
I issues 10 be determ ined in the next Prcsi-
Dental election not only concern matters
of constitutional construction and political
expectancy, but they also involve the far
greater and vital question, whether we are
hereafter TO live under n government of
law, or government Of force.
2. That the present Administration has
been subversive of cons titulional govern
ment and free institutions throughout the
country, and In the Southern States has
been a system Of lawless spoliation and
central tyranny; that ito Chief by accept
ing gifts, and bcstowing offices in return
By appointing incompetent and unfit rela-
lions and personal adherents to positions
of profit and trust, and by deyoting to un
becoming pleasures and pursuits, time that
should be given to his official duties, has
Nbeen culpably remiss of the responsibilities
hnd dignity of his high standing, has set
b bad example to the people, and violated
alike the obligations of good faith aud the
lusages of common dccency; and that en-
icourqged and aided by the party in power, |
Inc has attempted TO usurp or control legis- |
laiye and judicial functions, and thus cs
'iabiehed . consolidated personal govern
ment deAyuctiyc of the rights Of the States
aDdStleslibertics Of Me people.
3,That inf viewoi the threatening pre-
great power Of those now in
authority, VIC consider their expulsion
from all Offices Of honor or trust, to be es-
sential tothe peace and welfare of the
and 10 the preservation Of cvns,i-
tutional Government.
i. That we have seen with profound sat
Tie patriotic movement of the
Liberal Republicans lately assembled in
at Cincinnati, and We fully
concur,@ith them in believing that local
self government, with impartial suffrage,
VIII guard the rights of all citizens more
than any central power. The
public welfare requires the supremacy Of
The cival over the military authority, and
freedom of person under the protection Of
he habeas corpus. We demand for the
the largest liberty consistent
with public order and for the state self.
government, and for the Nation return to
he methods fpeGce and the constitutional
imitation of power. The civil service Of
he government has become mere instru-
nent of partisan tyranny and personal
inhibition, ard an object of selfish greed
md is q scandal and reproach upon free
Institutions and broods Generalization
dangerous to the perpetuity of Republican i
government. We therefore regard a through
eform of civil service as one of the most J
ressing necessities of the hour; that hon :
sty, capacity and fidelity constitute the
My valid claims of public employment; !
hat the offices of the government cease to !
e a matter of arbitation, favoritism and j
atronage, and again post of honor. We I
emand Federal taxation, which shall not /,
unnecessarily interfere with the industry )
f the people; which shall provide the
leans necessary TO pay the expenses Of !
overnment economically administered, \
ensions, interest on the public debt, and y
moderate reduction annually Of the prin- :
ple thereof.
8. That We recognize the movement of y
LIBERAL Republicans in opposition TO the y
resent administration of the general N
overnment as a commendable effort in n
ehalf of reform and constitutional liberty, \
nd we, the Democratic party of Texas, =
)nfding in the wisdom, patriotism and O
ltegrity of the great National Democratic y
ariy, to BILE in Baltimore, do hereby Q
edge ourselves 10 vigorous support of =
Ie policy 10 be enacted by the Baltimore P
invention, and TO battle for the resiora- 7
on of civil government under whatever p
adership it may direct. r.
6. That whoever may c the nominee Of x
&c Baltimore Convention, this convention r
ads no reason therefrom for destroying, R
lpairing or even modifying the present X
ganizatiOn Of the Democratic part y; 5,
aintain its orr anization for the purpose s.
putting down and removing the abuses s.
lder which our people labor from the Z,
raHny, dishonest and inscriptions State $,
,vernment Of Texas. s.
:. That We are opposed TO all nonied +,
bsidies 10 private corporations by the Il
ate Government, and regard the same II
unsound in principle and dangerous in W W
-actice. vi
g. That IL is the duty Of the General VI
10 protect our citizens from y,
e murderous bands Of Mexieans and Vi
wages who are daily pillaging or coun- "
=, numbering our citizens and driving ~
ok the tide Of civilization from our west vi
n frontier. VI
g. Whereas, The school fnnd. ssereily
/ apart for the education Of the children >,
this State, has, under the political mis- :,
le Of the last two years, been plundered Z.
speculation, sguandsred and perverted ID
political purposes. The Democratic >,
~ deen Il fisi3s * ihis occasion &c