The McArthur enquirer. (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1873-1884, 1873-10-01

-oF TnE-
DE oGracY of 0 i 0,
COLUMBUS, AUGUST, 6, 1873.
ADOPTED IN CONVENTION

ReSOlged, That the Democratic party seeks
to revive no dead issues, but stands by us
principles, which are suited to all times and
circumstances; it supports the Federal GOV
eminent in all its constitutional authority,
and Opposes notification and secession. 1t
defends the reserved rights Of the States and
the people,, and opposes central l2aClon mat
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-
partmcnt Ofthe Government to usurp or de-
stroy the constitutional rights or indepen-
dence of other departments; 1t opposes all IN
reference by law with private affairs of bus
mess of men, not required by the public peace
of safety, and advocates the greatest indiyld-
ual liberty consistent with public order; it be-
lieves in the capacity of the people for self
government, and opposes all property qualifl-
cations as conditions to the right of suffrage
or eligibility to hold office; it favors liberal
laws for the naturalization of foreigners; il
insist upon equal and exact justice to all men;
IL opposes all monopolics, and denies that it
is within the province Of the Government to
legislation for the benefit of particular class
es at the expense and to the detriment of the
rest of the community; it therefore opposes
the system by which q large portion of the
proiit-prOducing wealth of the country Is OK
empted from taxation, and demands that all
constitutional means be used to remedy this
injustice: it insists that our tariff laws should
be framed with u view to revenue, and not to
tax the community for the benefit of particu-
lar industries; il recognizes the evils ofan ir-
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 injure the debtor class;
ii appreciates the benefits conferred by rail-
roads, but opposes all combinations of rail-
road companies to prevent competition and
thus enhance the cost of transportation; it OPP
poses all laws that give to capital and advan-
tage over labor; IL requires honesty and econ
omy in every department Of Government,
Federal or State, and ii condemns corruption,
whoever may be the guilty parties. 1t Is in
its very nature, and as a 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
mended by sound practical wisdom.
ReSOlged, That the wealth of the country is
the product Of its labor, and the best use of
capital is that gives employment and liberal
wages to the producing classes; hence every
Just measure that tends to protect them from
oppression, and to improve their condition
anu dignity their calling, deserves and re-
celyes our sympathy ana support, and that
we cordially recommend the conservative
resolutions adopted Mt the recent National
Labor Congress ut Cleveland, fayorinS arbl-
tration and cooperation.
ReSOLged, That, although always Constitu.
ting a large majority of the American people,
agriculturiSts have never demanded OF Gov
eminent, state or Federal, any special privi-
ilege; have never infested Halls of Congress
or Legislatures with lobbyists and rings, but,
on the contrary, have suffered under discrim-
mating and unjust laws until forbearanCe has
ceased to be q virtue: we hereby pledge our
sincere and honest efforts to obtain for them
redress of grievances and equal and exact JUS
tiCe.
ReS0lged, That the public lands should be
sacredly reserved for actual settlers, who will
dwell upon and cultivate them, n that We
will continue to d%enounce and oppose, rs We
have always denounced and opposed, all gifts
Of such lands by the Government to %incorpOr-
ated companies.
Resolved, That the greatest danger to free
institutions is the widespread corruption
that threatens utter destruction to public vir-
tue; when Credit M0bilier frauds pass unpun-
ished: when those engaged in them are eleva-
ted ohigh 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
Oflice-holdcrs with the sanction of the Govern
ment use their Official influence to control
elections; when bribery of CustOm-hOuse OIL
cials is an established usage; when rings Of
plunderers are the recipients of millions of
money appropriated for public use; when Of
ilcial defalcations are of such frequent occur
renee as scarcely to excite attention; when
Presidential pardons relieve defaultcrs from
deserved punishment, and Presidential APP
pointments reward Credit MObilier and sal
ary-grabbing Congressman, and when Con-
gressional investigation is generally a white
washing affair, 1t is not strange that men be-
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 that its patronage shall be cur
tailed and all useless Offices abolished; that
1t shah cease to usurp functions TO which 1t
has no title that official misconduct and fraud
and corruption in elections shall be rigorous
ly punished, and that public virtue shall be
upheld, and want oft condemned, by the uni
ted voice of the people.
ReSOiUed, That we condemn, without re-
serve, the late act of Congress granting addi-
tional salaries, rs unjust and unjustillabie,
and demand its immediate and unconditional
repeal, and We denOunce every member Of
Congress, whether Republican or 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-
ti0n for its passage, and whose Official sigma
ture made ii a law.
ReSOlced, That the act OF the President in
setting up by bayonet q Government in Lou
%isiana, not chosen by her people, and having
no title whatever TO rule over them, was u fla
grant violation of rights aud of the FEEDER
al Constitution.
Resolred, That every Department of Cover
mcnt being in the hands Of the Republican
party, they are justly responsible fOrthe evils
and wrongs in the legislation and administra-
ton OF which the country complains.
ReSOiCed, That, under the time-honOrcd
Democratic banner, with this declaration of
principles inscribed on its folds, we engage in
the conflict, and we earnestly appeal to patri-
otto men of every class, without regard TO par
ty 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 II from the flood OF
corruption which threatens its ruin"