The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1873-08-23
Democratic Platform of Ohio.
A SOUND DOCUMENT.

hesolNeu, lnat the democratic party seeks
to revive no dead issues, but stands by it's
principles, which are suited to all times and
circumstances. 1t supports the Federal Gov
ernment III all its constitutional authority, and
opposes notification and secession.
1t defends the reserved rights of the States
and people, and opposes centralization that
would impair or destroy them. In order to
preserve and maintain these rights, it insists
upon strict construction of the Federal Con-
stltution. 1t resists all attempts of one de-
partment OF the government to usurp or des-
troy the constitutional rights or independence
OF the other departments.
1t opposes all interference by law with the
private affairs or business of MEN not required
by the public peace or safety, and advocates
the greatest individual liberty consistent with
public order 1t believes in the capacity of the
people Tor selt-goveInment, and opposes all
property qualification as a condition to the
rights of suffrage or eligibility to hold office
1t favors liberal law for the naturalization
OF foreigners; insists on equal and exact JUS
tlce to all men; opposes all monopolies, and
denies that it is within the province of the gov
ernment to legislate for the benefit of particu-
lar classes at the expense, and to the detri-
ment, of the rest of the community; it opposes
the system by which q large portion of the
property producing the wealth of the country
is exempted from taxation, and demands that
all constitutional means shall be used to REM
edy this injustice. 1t insists that our tariff
and not to tax the community for the benefit
of particular industries; recognizes the evils
of an irredeemable currency, but insists that
in the return to specie payments, care shall be
taken not to seriously disturb the business of
the country, or uDjustly injure the debtor
class; appreciates the benefits conferred by
railroads, but opposes all combinations OF rail
road companies to prevent competition, and
thus enhance the cost of transportation.
1t opposes all laws that give to capital any
advantage over labor; requires honesty and
economy in every department of the govern
ment, Federal or State, and condemns cOrrup-
| tion, whoever may be the guilty parties 1t is
in its very nature, and as a necessary result of
its principles, Il party of progress, and sup
ports all measures of reform or improvement
that are sanctioned by justice or commended
by sound practical wisdom.
Resolved, That the wealth of the country is
the product of it's labor, and the best use of
its capital is that which gives employment
and liberal wages to the producing classes.
Hence, every just measure that tends to pro
tect them from oppression, and to improve
their condition, and dignity their calling, de-
serves and receives our sympathy and sup
port, and that we cordially recommend the
conservative resolutions adopted at the recent
National Labor Congress at Cleveland, favor
ing arbitration and cooperation.
| Resolved, That although always constitnt-
ing a large majority of the American people,
government, State or Federal, any special pri-
vilege; have never infested the halls of Con-
gress, or the Legislature, with lobbyists and
rings; but on the contrary they have suffered
under discriminating and unjust laws until
forbearance has ceased to be virtne. We
hereby pledge our sincere and honest efforts
to obtain for them redress of their grievances
equal and exact justice.
Resolved, That the public lands should be
sacredly reserved for actual settlers, who will
dwell upon and cultivate them, and that We
will continue to denounce and oppose, as we
have always denounced and opposed, all gifts
of such lands by the government to incorpo-
rate companies.
Resolved, That the greatest danger to free
institutions is the wide-spreading corruption
that threatens the utter destruction of public
virtue. When the Credit Mebiier frauds pass
| unpunished-when those engaged in them are
elevated to high official positions when seats
i'll the Federal Senate are nOtorlously purchas-
ed; when vast sums of money are eorruptly
employed in popular elections; when the army
of Office holders, with the sanction of the gov
ernment, use their official influence to control
elections; when the bribery OF the custom
house officers is established; when rings of
| plunderers are recipients of millions of money
appropriated for public use; when official de-
falcations are of such frequent occurrence as
scarcely to excite attention; when the Presi-
dents pardons relieve defauiters from punish
ward Credit Mobilier and salary-grabbing
Cmgressmen and when & Congressional in.
vestigation is generally whitewashing affair,
denca in free is,stitntions. and that the fame
of fhe GREAT repnhIie Is tarnished throughout
the ciyiIized world. To remedy these evils,
wa insist that the reeeints and esnenditures
of the eovernment shalI he diminished /: that
| its patronage shall be cuFtailed, and all use
nsnrI f,nct;ona to Wb;cb If has M title. that
official m;seondnct and fraad and corrnntion
that public virtue shall be upheld and want of
| it condemned by the united voice of the people.