The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1873-07-31
The Platform Of the zsntucky D.
mocracy.
H does not Meet the Exigemcies Of
DGissIssiPPf's Condition.
what is Needed.

sippi shall content themselves with the
"Platform of the Kentucky Democracy,
passed by their late convention, and have
been induced to reproduce the document.
1t will be found in another column.
Really, it may suit the people who origi-
mated it, but it don't meet the case of
Mississippi. As mere string of abstract
theories, it may do very well. In its
enunciation of principle for the rule of
the Federal Government, it is unobjec-
tionable, except that it is verbose and
clumsy. Its whole meaning, which is
good enough as far as it goes, might have
been concentrated and expressed in fewer
words than the paragraphs it contains.
1t will be a reflection on the intelligence
of Mississippians to expect that they will
be satisfied with a continuance originating
with other hands, so unshapely and so
far below the imperiOus demands of their
own condition. It may do for Kentuck-
ians to rest content under the shade of
these distractions. Their local affairs
have been administered throughout all
these troubles by themselves. They
have not tasted the bitterness Of military
reconstruction. They have not had the
curse of Carpet-bag oppression and rob
berry put upon them and are not now
called upon to prescribe for its evils.
Reposing under their own vine and fig
tree, they have had good time. While
Mississippi has been afflicted with the
rule of the stranger, who came to vex,
to Cypress, to cat her substance, and to
consume the fruits of her toiling sons,
Kentucky, serene and happy, has had
for her shepherds her own loved and
chosen citizens. She has laid down in
green pastures, and fed beside the still
waters. She has had bountiful feast
spread before her all the time in the
presence of enemies, when her sisters
we're furnishing. Her eyes have stood
out with fairness. 1t would be wonder
indeed if Platform suitable to her con-
dition would be adapted to the exigen-
cies of State surrounded by the perils
and tortured by the agonies that mark
the condition of Mississippi.
What is needed for the good of our
own State, and our shibboleth in the
coming canvass, is declaration of prin-
ciple and action clear, perspicuous and
direct as a Minnie ball against the abuses
which require correction. Let US de-
mand strict construction of delegated
powers; self-rule for the States the SUI
premacy of the civil over military au-
thority, hands off the people by the Fed
eral authC rites in the exercise of their
right of local selfgovernment.
1t ought to be a platform free from
the faint of dead issues, and redolent of
the living questions of the hour. Keep
ing as far aloof from national politics as
circumstances will admit, the chief aim
announced should be the reform of our
State Administration.
1t should demand reduction of taxes. |
Retrenchment to lessen the burden of I
taxation, and consequently, a reduction
of salaries, which are disproportioned to
the labors performed, in the various de-
partments of the State government.
The action of the last Legislature so
far as it investigated abuses in office
should be applauded, while its short
comings should be denounced, and rule
should be proclaimed that expulsion from
office should follow conviction for crime.
The growing evil of legislation insidi-
ously to aggrandize individuals and
classes at the expense of the many, |
should be denounced. ...r, -
The public domain should be heidi
sacred from the touch of land grabbers,
no matter what their plausible pretence
Of public improvement.
No more Railroad subsidies except by
consent of the people first ascertained.
Good faith in the disposition of the
grants by Congress to the State for edu-
,ational purposes.
No payment, nor recognition in any
'orm whatever, of Bonds created during
'ormer generations and repudiated by the
people concerned as unconstitutional and
lot binding upon them.
An emphatic remonstrance against all
Credit Mobilier transactions against the
Increase of the pay of Congressman, and
he Back-Salary Grab by which they
hey seized from the Treasury large sums
n excess of the amount for which they ,
ontracted to serve.
No agitation of the questions settled
" the Constitutional amendments ; ,
equal Rights; good will to all but to the
of strife and the oppressors and !
espoilers of our people.
On a platform embracing these grand 9
bjects of Retrenchment and Reform s
deliverance from misrule and oppres- 4
of the Inauguration of Purity, q
honesty and Economy in the admins i
ration of our public affairs-why can
OF Mississippians rally from the Ala
anna line to the Mississippi river, from r
he borders of Tennessee to the Gulf I,
aore? 6