The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-10-12
THE LIBERAL PLATFORM.

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
1t being questioned whether we '1iberals" fully
realize the political positlon we have assumed and
the responsibility we have chosen, herein pro-
pose through your columns to give some OF my
views on THIS important subject, and just as
would have done In the Liberal Convention on the
10th OF last month at Albany, had not the liberal
gag to adjourn been so enectuaily applied imme-
diately alter the governing lew had perfected their
prearranged plan. We claim to nave left the
democratic and republican parties because Of their
intolerable corruption, by which have virtually
declared that honesty Is our policy in all our po-
litical undertakings, necessarily including equal
justice to ALI yet this cannot be perfected through
what Is termed machine politics. Though all pohti-
cal parties condemn this strategcal course In
other parties they all adopt It In their own organ
izations; and their party papers, being mostly
subsidized or subscribers, teach acquiescence
are not an exception to this rule OF action,
they have no subsidized or patty paper. I
politics Is II that selects political committees
IN the manner adopted by all political parties; tor
democracy Dy allowing eacn member OF q conven.
ton the same power OF naming and elect1nR such
committees In convention, the names are all Sc
ected by the assumed governors Of the conven-
ton, and generally rom among those who know
little and care less Tor the requirements OF the
industrial class, and according TO . plan per-
lected previous to the convening OF delegates.
Again, the names as wen as the resolutions are
as 20 " fe
slderation and choice. When the governors have
perfected their purpose the scene Is suddenly
jOurn, with deaiening echves from CHOSEN auto
nations, as was demonstrated 81 the Liberal Con-
ventlon on the AFORESAID 18th. IN harmony with
the interest OF monopolies and many otner or
shoots from the fountain OF corruption, which cut
on all progressive propositions rom unfettered
Though the fundamental right OF man is to enjoy
the fruits OF his abor-that peing essential to ply
steal, mental and moral develOpmenr-lt Is GEN.
tra.lzatlon OF his products in the hands OF non
producers taat creates the political power which
disregards his requirements. Though the laborer
and producer hold, and with unanimity can sway
large majority OF the power OF ballotation, and
tireiy disiegarded them IN our machine resolu-
lions. which. though containing some good
suggestions, are SO completely dauged WITH words
our resolution on the cursed Gag law (said to
been written by New YORK editorl contains 1T
same exhibits much more force III SIX words, thus
demonstrating that most OF the space occupied by
thus resolution might have been used for much
better purpose, had not the preposterOus gag
been applied. In the construction OF our platform
there seems to have been labored caution to avoid
special and determined plans OF action for eradi-
eating the corruption we charge upon other
political parties as well as for avoiding almost
in demonstration or which viii mention some
Important omissions First, we did not even
hin. a. railroad land thievlng nor propose check
TO the power OF corporate wealth, Mich means
Capitalization OF capital and monopoly, the terri
bic, undeniable product or which IS the multi
picity OF individual poverty and misery. We nave
said nothing IN regard to putting stop to the
adulteration OF food. by which scoandres are ac-
large per cent Of deaths and General deaeneracs
throughout our country; nothing about the poison
GUS aduteraton OF alcoholic drinks and the INFER
nal arrangement Tor It's distribution hlch Is more
than doubling our taxes BY filing our prisons,
building gaiowses, filing our aimsnouses, hospi.
sunerings OF wives and children which cannot be
expressed. We said notaing IN regard to revenue
reforms; nothing about projecting tie industrial
Class from the terrible consequential effects OF non
producing monOpOltcs; nothing IN regard to the
private use OF public funds; nothing about poti-
cal primaries, which are the hell gates OF all pelt
Cal corruption; nothing in regard to referring
TO the people for confirmation or condemnation
the infamous acts passed BY legislatures. whereby
chase OF legislators; nothing Is said In regard
securing equitable adjustment of oicial accounts;
nothing about the official use OF public or private
funds Tor sectarian purposes, when the cities OF
New York and Brooklyn alone pay annually
$12 100000 for sectarlan purposes thr0ug the ex
empuon OF taxation upon church property In real
estate to the amount OF $S40, 000 000-there is no
mes IN r h nan
one term Presidency, nor OF electing the President
by the people.
lengthy resolutions are. In general terms, there
fore as adaptable and deceitful as other political
any pan 81 ana I'VE
nothing IN our platform that the democrats do not
adopt; therefore comparatively nothing Tor
8 new and great party to stand upon !;
and as iG IS by Induction from other
parties that new parties are built up there
age otherwise than BY adopting broad and
equitable platform, with some plan for perfectng
Way Is s5 SO %any Ss e hang
clple and adopt rational views but a lack Of cor
may banker Tor postiOnf D. L. D. SHELDON.
NEW YORK, Oct ., 1874.