American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-04-11
The Missouri Democracy.

The Democratic State Central Commit
tee OF Missouri have recently issued an
address TO the people of the State, OF
which the following is copy:
The undersigned, members of the Demo
cratic State Central Committee, fully i'm
pressed with the magnitude of the trust con
ided to their keeping, feel it TO be their duty
at this juncture to say TO you that the signs OF
political regeneration are OF the most cheering
character.
We have watched with deep solicitude and
anxiety the outcropping of public sentiment
for the past two years, aud assert with
confidence that all the indications favor q
speedy downfall of the present arrogant and
corrupt national regime.
The people are realizing at last that the SUI
premacy of Radicalism has brought upon the
country burdensome taxation, Initiated class
legislation, venal Judiciary, oppressive mo-
nopolies, discriminating tariffs, which have
paralyzed the labor, capital and energy OF the
people, aud plunged the whole country into
financial ruin.
Corporations have been created and estab-
lished in States, under The euactmenfs OF Con-
gress without their consent, thus placing un-
der the control of the Federal Government the
entire bank-note circulation OF the country.
Corrupt rings have been formed To deplete the
National Treasury and impair the value OF the
security held by the United States, and, in
part, such nefarioas and wicked purposes
have been accomplished.
You have seen the guarantees of the Consti-
tuition, made by the fathers of the Republic.
set at naught; the utter disregard of the voice
and will Of the people as expressed through
the bailot-box; State Governments trampled
ruthlessly under foot the trial of their citizens
for alleged criminal offenses by unauthorized
and illegal tribunals, the maintenance of
carpet baggers and usurpers in positions of
honor and trust at the point of Federal
bayonets, while, under color of law, their
treasures have been robbed and their citizens
crushed by q weight of taxation to which NO
other people, in times OF profound peace,
were ever before subjected.
As Democrats, we hail with pleasure the po-
itical revolution now in progress among the
people OF the whole country, as shown in the
Organization OF labor for mutual benefit and
protection against the demands OF overgrown
monopofies, created and fostered by the
Government; in the opposition TO any further
grants of land to railroad corporations. and in
of the system of tariffs for protection, which
are but taxes in disguise upon one branch Of
industry 10 build u, another
1t is this class of evils in the administration
Of the Government which has always met with
the most determined opposition from the
Democracy. And we are frank to say, now
thAt the disintegration Of the Radical party is
progressing rapidly and certainly, that the
only promise Of permanent reform, the only
opportunity for return TO the government of
the Constitution, the only hope of future
security, is in the organization of the "Old
Guard"-the party of the farmer, of the me-
chanic, OF the laborer-the party OF the peO-
ple-the Democratic party. Though battered
and SCARED in its many contests in defense of
the rights of the people against the iHsidious
encroachments of despotic power, this party
of the Constitution still lives, and under the
lead OF pure and patriotic men will again take
possession of the National Government, once
more restoring honesty, confidence and pros
perity to the ong-suffering people Of this mis-
governed land.
Democrats of Missouri The time for more
thorough and more efficient organization has
arrived; therefore we most earnestly urge
upon you, everywhere throughout the State,
to begin and perfect at once a complete and
effective system of action. Organize in every
county, city, town and district. The people
look for harmonious and patriotic movement
A close unity of all those who are agreed as to
the overshadowing necessity for a reform is
absolutely demanded. There must be unset
fish conflict, As ali are laboring for the same
grand objects-the total overthrow of Radi-
calism, and the triumph of constitutional
principles Benton's motto: "Union, har-
mony, concession, everything for the cause
and nothing for men," must be yours.
As an earnest of your determination to COM
mand the confidence, the respect and the sup
port of the people, let no man be presented as
q candidate for any Office in your gift who
does not come fully up to the Jefiersonian
standard Of fitness: as he honest? Is he
capable. Is he faithful to the Constitution ~
Be sure, also, that his past life and conduct
esnong his fellow-men shall be q further guar
1ntee to the public that the pledges made in
his behalf shall be faithfully redeemed.