The McArthur enquirer. (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1873-1884, 1873-09-03
OR M
-or The
D Democracy Of on i 0
COLUMBUS, AUGUST, 6, 1873.
ADOPTED IN CONVENTION

Resolccd, That the Democratic party seeks
10 revive no dead issues, but stands by It's
principles, which are suited to all times ant
circumstances; il supports the Federal GOV
eminent in all its constitutional authority
and opposes notification and secession. II
defends the reserved rights of the States and
the people, and opposes centraliZatlon thai
would impair or destroy them. In order To
maintain and preserve these rights 1t insists
upon the strict construction OF the Federal
Constitution; II resists all attempts of one de
partmCnt of the Government TO usurp or de-
stroy the constitutional rights or indepon-
dence OF other departments; II opposes al in
tcffercnce by law with private Affairs OF bus
moss of men, not required by the public peace
of safcty, and advocates the greatest individ-
liitl liberty consistent with public order; IL be-
liovcS in the capacity OF the people for self
government, and opposes all property qualil-
cations as conditions to the right of suffrage
or eligibility to hold oilcc; II favOrs liberal
laws for the naturalization of foreigners; II
insist upon equal andttNict justice TO all mon;
it opposes all m%onOpOlies, and denies that IL
is within the province of the Government to
legislation for the benefit Of particular claSs-
Us at the expense anil to the dctriinont OF tina
rest Of the community; it therefore opposes
the system by which q large portion of the
profit producing wealth of The country Is CN-
cmpted from taxation, and demands that all
constitutional means be used to remedy this
injustice; Ii Insists that our tariff laws should
be framed with u view to revenue, and not to
tax the community for the benefit of partici-
lar industries; IL recognizes the evils ofNn ir-
redcemahlc currency, but insists that in lne
return to specie payments; care shan 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; Il Op-
poses all laws that give to capital and advau-
tage over labor; ii requires honesty aud econ-
omy in every department of Governments
Federal or State, aud il condemns corruption,
whoever may be the guilty parties. IL is IN
its very nature, aud rs n necessary result of
its principles, Il party Of progress, and sup
ports all measures of reform and improve
mont that aro sanctioned by Justice and con-
mendcd by sound practical wisdom.
Res0iced, That the wealth Of the country Is
tho product of its labor. and the best use Of
capital is that gives employment anti liberal
wages to the producing classes; hence every
Just measure that tends TO protect them from
oppression, and to improve their condition
aud dignity their calling, deserves and re
ceiyes our sympathy and support, and that
we cordially recommend the conservative
resolutions adopted at the recent National
Labor congress mt Cleveland, fayoring arbi-
tratlOn ana cooperation.
ReS0lyed, That, although always cOnstitu'
ting II large majority of the American people,
aSriculturists have never demanded Of Gov
ernment, state or Federal, any special privi-
ilegc; 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 forDearanCe 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
ticc.
ReSolgoi, That the public lands should be
Sacrcdly reserved for actual settlers, who will
dwell upon and cultivate them, and that we
will continue to denOunGe and oppose, as we
have always denounced and opposed, all gifts
of such lands by the Government to iMcOrpOr-
ated companies.
ReSOlced, That the greatest danger to free
institutions is the widespread corruption
that threatens utter destruction to public viT-
tue; when Credit M0bilicr frauds pass unpun-
lsllcd; when those engaged in them are eleya-
ted to high official position; when seats in the
Federal Senate are VIGOROUSLY purchased;
when vast sums of money are cOrruptly en-
ploycd in popular elections; when an army Of
Oilice-loldcrs with the sanction of the Govern
mlent use their official influence to control
elections; when bribery of Custom house OFF,
cials is an established usage; when rings of
%pllinderers are the recipients of millions of
money appropriated for public use; when Of
icial delalcatiOns are OF such frequent occur
renee as scarcely to excite attention; when
Presidential pardons relieve defaultcrs from
deserved punishment, and Presidential APP
p0intnlents cward Credit M0bilicr and sal
ary-grabbing congressman, and when Con-
Sresslonal investigation is generally awlitc-
washing AFFAIR, II 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 nnd all useless Offices. nboiiJhod; that
1t shall cease to usurp functions to which it
has no title; that official misconduct and fraud
and corruption in elections shall be rigorous
ly punished, and that public virtue shall he
upheld, and want oft condemned, by the uni
ted voice Of the people.
ResOlced, That we condemn, without re-
serve, the late act of Congress granting mldi-
tiOnal salaries, rs unjust and unjustiliabic,
and demand ITS immediate and unconditional
repeal, and we dcnOuncc every member of
Congress, whether Republican or Democrat,
who supported the law or received and re-
tanned the money procured thereby; and we
especially dcnOuncc the conduct Of President
Grant in using the influence of his high posi-
tiOn for its passage, and whose Official sigma
ture made it q law.
ReSOlged, That the act Of the President in
setting up by bayonet n Government in Lou
isiana, not chosen by her people, and having
no title whatever to rule over them, was Il tla-
grant violation Other rights aud of the FEEDER
al Constitution.
ResOlUed, That every Department Of Cover
ment being in the hands Of the Republican
party, they are justly responsible forthc evils
and wrongs in the legislation and administra-
ton Of which the country complains.
ReSOiccd, That, under the time-hOnOrCd
Democratic banner, with this declaration OF
principles inscribed on its folds, we engHgc in
the conflict, and we earnestly appeal to patri-
otto men Of every class, withcJt regard opar-
ty nance or past difference, to unite with us
ON terms Of perfect equality in the struggle to
rescue the Government from the hands of dis.
men, and redeem it from the hood OF
corruption which threatens its ruin"