The McArthur enquirer. (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1873-1884, 1873-08-27
PLATFOR M
OF THE
D democracy of h i 0,
ADOPTED IN CONVENTION
COLUMBUS, AUGUST, C, 1873.

Ees0iged, That the Democratic party seeks
To revive no dead issues, but stands by It's
principles, which arc suited to all times and
circumstances; 1t supports the Federal Gov
eminent in all its constitutional authority,
md opposes notification and secession. 1t
defends the reserved rights of the States and
the people, and opposes Capitalization that
would impair or destroy them. In order to
maintain and preserve these rights IL insists
upon the strict construction of the Federal
Constitution; It resists all attempts Of one de-
parunQnt of the Government to uSurp or de-
stroy tle constitutional rights or indepen-
denee Ut other departments; it opposes all in
terlcrGnce by law with private affairs OF bus
mess of men, not required by the public peace
Of safety, and advocates the greatest indiyid-
llal liberty consistent with public order; it be-
lieyes in the capacity Of the people for self
government, and opposes all property qualil-
cations MS conditions to the right Of suffrage
or eligibility to hold Office; IL favors liberal
laws FOR the naturalization of foreigners; 1t
insist upon equal and exact Justice to all men;
lt opposes all monopolies, and denies that it
Is within the province of the Government TO
legislation for the benefit OF particular class
es ut the expense and to the dctriment of tho
rest of the community: it therefore opposes
the system by whlch'a large portion of the
prOit-prOducing wealth of the country is cN-
emptGd from taxation, and demands that all
constitutional means be used to remedy this
injustice; 10 insists that our tariff laws should
be framed with'a view to rcvenue, and not to
tax the community for the benefit of narticu-
lar industries; it-recogni2es the evils of an IT.
redeemable currency, but Insists that in the
return To specie payments; care shall be taken
not to seriously disturb the business of The
country, or ~unjustly injurc the debtor class;
it appreciates the benefits conferred by rail
roads, but opposes all combinations OF rail
road companies ID prevent competition and
thus enhance the cost of transportation; it OPP
poses all laws that give to capital and adyan-
tage over labor; IL requires honesty and econ
omy In every department of Government,
Federal or state, and 1t condemns corruption,
whoever may be the guilty parties. 1t is in
its very nature, and az q necessary result of
its principles, q party OF progress, and sup
ports all measures of reform and improve
ment that are sanctioned by Justice and cOm-
mcnded by sound practical wisdom,
Res0lged, That the wealth of the country is
the product OF its labor, and the best use of
is that gives employment and liberal
wages to the producing classes; hence every
lust measure that tends to protect them from
oppression, and to improve their condition
and dignity their calling, deserves and re-
celYeS our sympathy and support, and that
we. cordially recommend the conservative
resolutions adopted at the recent National
Labor Congress at Cleveland, iayoring arbi-
and cooperation.
ReS0tred, That, although always cOnstitu
ting Il large majority Oft American people,
aSricu!turists have never demanded of Gov
ernment, State or Federal, any special priv l.
lltENs HhNt litNtE lnItSltl liullS VI NOnnItNS
or Legislatures with lobbyists and rings, hut,
ON the contrary, have suffered under discrim-
mating and unjust laws until forbcarance has
to be Il virtue; we hereby pledge our
and honest efforts to obtain for them
redress Of grievances and equal and exact JUS
ticc.
RcS0lted, That the public lands should be
Sacredly reserved for actual settlers, who will
dwell upon and cultivate them, and that we
VIII continue to denounOe and oppose, rs we
m w "a lKun 80 slAFAn ~ nAl nVa1 ....-t oil 9
oil sllch lands by the Government to incorpor-
ated companies.
Resoiced, That the greatest danger to free
institutions is the widespread corruption
that threatens utter destruction to public yir-
tue; when Credit Mobilier frauds pass unpun-
ished; when those engaged in them are eleva-
ted to high official position; when seats in the
Federal Senate are VIGOROUSLY purchased:
when vast sums of money are %corruptly en-
ployed IN popular elections; when an army of
OficC-h0lders with the sanction of the Govern
mcnt use their official influence to control
elections; when bribery of Custom-housc ofi-
Gals Is an established usage; when rings of
.plundcrers are the recipients of millions Of
money appropriated for public use; when Of
iicial dGfalcati0ns are of such frequent occur
renee as scarcely to excite attention; when
Presidential pardons relieve defaultcrs from
deserved punishment, and Presidential APP
polntments reward Credit Mobilier and sal
ary-grabbing congressman, and when Con-
81 Nooibhll IA NIotiSulluu Is EtutIullN u Mlllt-
washing affair, it is not strange that men he
gin to lose confidence in free institutions, and
that the fame of the great Republic is tar
nished throughout the civilized world. TO
remedy these evils we insist that the receipts
and expenditures of the Government shall be
diminished; thaNits patronage shall be cur
tailed and all useless Offices abolished; that
1t snail cease to usurp functions To which it
mas no title; that Official misconduct and fraud
and corruption in elections shall be rigorous
lN I'M IGlnI and that t.tnllfa pivHtta gI.un lao
upheld, and want oft condemned, by the uni
ted voice of the people.
ReSOtred, That we condemn, without re-
serve, the late act Of Congress granting addi-
tlonal salaries, rs unjust and unjustiliabic,
and demand Its immediate and unconditional
repeal, and we denounce every member Of
congress. whether Republican OF Democrat,
who supported the law or received and re-
tanned the money procured thereby; and We
especially d%cnOunce the conduct of President
Grant in using the influence of his high posi-
ton for its passage, and whose official sigma
made ii a law.
Res0lced, mat the act OF the President in
up by bayonet a Government in Lou
not chosen by her people, and having
no title whatever TO rule over them, was q fla-
grant violation Of her rights and of the FEEDER
al Constitution.
Resolced, That every Department of Cover
being in the hands Of the Republican
party, they are Justly responsible fOrthe evils
N"N i"hSo ~ Nv lVS lbldNlVh anu u'llllllllslIu-
ton of which the country complains.
ResOtced, That, under the time-honOred
Democratic banner. with this declaration of
principles inscribed on its folds, we engage in
the conflict, and we earnestly appeal to patri-
Dtic men of every class, without regard to par
" names or past difference, TO unite with us
On terms of perfect equality in the struggle to
rescue the Government from the hands OF dis
honest men,, and redeem it from the food Of
corruption which threatens its ruin"