Huntington advertiser. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1874-1921, 1874-04-23
An Address to the Democracy of
Kauawha.
To Tie Democratic and Conservative Tcter
Of kanaeha County:


To Tie Democratic and Conservative Tcters
Of Kuna'esa County:
II is believed that the ~ esent condition
OF political affairs in or midst justifes
re-statement of the principles and purpo-
tses Tor whose advancement We have been
accustomed 10 unite orr efforts. In 4
short time the campaign OF 1874 viii open.
The Democratic party needs TO be repre-
scented by its best and pGrest men through
ont this contest. In the result Of the cleo
ton 70 be held in October next, the people
Of kanawha county have an important
interest.
1t therefore becomes the duty Of US all
to act in concert and harmony, for the FUR
therance Of those interests which We hold
in common. If causes of division have
grown up among us, lie, them be ignored
in the presence OF necessities which make
unity OF action the sole condition OF safe
"; lei them be RENTED for settlement 10
less important period in our local and
political history; or better still, let them
give place 10 a settled purpose 10 remedy
all that has been amiss in the past by re-
newed devotion to principle in the future
Believing that the ends Of good govern
ment can be best attained through the as
cendancy OF ancient and honored Demo
cratic doctrines, we recur 10 leading prin-
ciples in our political belief in the firm
assurance that with these as the basis Of
our organization, harmony and success
must follow;
l. Government is the instrument Of the
people, for their own protection and bene-
fit. and must not be prostituted for sec
tional partisan or personal ends.
>. The right OF each State OF the Union
TO manage its own internal affairs, free
from Federal Interference or control, is
essential to the Nell-being of the Repub
/ lie and the liberty OF the people. The
humiliating condition to which misplaced
Federal intluense has brought the States
of South Carolina and Louisiana is a liy-
| ing proof that American freedom and To-
cal self-government must stand or fall TO-
gether,
8. Taxation should be equal and uni
form, and every species Of property, inclu-
ding bonds and other securities, should
bear its Just share Of the expenses OF tie
Government.
+. Federal revenue should be the lead
/ ing object Of just tariff system the pros
perity Of home industries may be safely
/ left to that incidental protection which
such system properly adjusted will al
ford.
). The public lands are the poor mans
inheritance, and must be preserved Tor
| him and his children.
6. The policy Of contracting the curren-
Il CIV, pursued since the close OF the war,
! has given specie value 10 national
debt created upon a paper basis, and hnm-
pered the operations Of business BY undu-
' limiting the supply Of money. The
shrinkage in values occasiOned by con-
traction has wronged the many for the en-
r chment Of the few, 10 long rs tie Ma
tional Government shall assume the con-
troll Of public finances, IL is its duty to see
that Il c volume OF currency in circulation
/ bears due proportion 10 the wants Of the
producing and commercial classse.
:. All leg station through which mo-
Ropolies are created, or special exemptions
or privileges granted, is in conflict with
sound public policy. Corporations ar ;
/ the creatures Of the Legislature, and can
not be made tie masters Of the people.
/ ). Popular enlightenment can alone
give ne manency % free inst tutions. Our
system Of public education must be ger
erously supported and faithfully preserv-
ed. The congressional measure known as
the Sumner Civil Rights Bill, designed 70
secure the mingiing Of white and colored
children in our public schools, Is fraught
with danger to the free school system,
and deserves the severest condemnation.
Q. Honesty, capacity and fidelity are the
true Democratic tests in the choice II pub
lie servants, and must be insisted upon at
whatever hazard.
10. The convention system Of selecting
candidates is in harmony with Democratic
trad tons and essential 10 perfect organi-
eaton. Conventions, fairly constituted
and Justly conducted, are the best known
method Of expressing the will Of the par
~. and commanding the cooperation of
the voters. 1t is our duty TO see that the
highest standard Of fitness shall prevail IN
ali nominations, and that no unworthy
name shall be presented for popular sup
p IT.
T. give practical weight and influence
% the principles here set forth. we invite
all whose views they represent t. unite
with Us in the work oi perfccting Demo
cratic organization for tie coming cam
pa;gn: in selecting candidate, and in sus-
tanning them at the polls.