The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-09-21
THE SPIRIT OF DEMOCRACY,
Tuesday September 2l. 1875.
Platform Of the Pennsylvania
Democracy, Adopted at Erie,
September 8, 1875.

vania has the true ring The financial
resolutions, 7th, 9Th, 9th and 10th, are
in accord with the sentiments of a
large majority of the people of that
State,and contain almost the exact word
ing of the resolutions in the platform OF
the Democracy of this State. Both will
be endorsed by the people in October
and November by not less than 10000
majority:
Resolved, That we hereby declare our
unfaltering devotion to the fundamental
principles of Democratic government, as
enunciated by Thomas Jefferson in his
first inaugural address, to wit: Equal
and exact justice to all men, of whatso
ever state or persuasion, religious or po.
litical the support of the State Govern
ments in all their rights, as the most
competent administration of our do
smestic concerns, and the surest bnwarks
against anti-repubican tendencies; the
supremacy of the civil over the military
authority: economy in the public ex-
pense, that labor may be lightly burden
ed the honest payment of our just debts
and the sacred preservation of the pub
lie faith, freedom of religion; freedom of
the press; freedom of the person under
the protection of the great writ of ha6e
as corpus, and trial by juries impartially
selected"
- Second-That the widespread depres-
sion and suffering which affect every bu-
siness and employment that is capable Of
being touched by legislation, show be-
yond a doubt, the ignorance, inefliciency
and wickedness of the leaders of the par.
" that has ruled the State and Nation
for period of years, and calls for their
immediate and permanent removal from
the places which they have so long dis
honored and disgraced.
Third-That the undue multiplication
of public officers and the inordinate in
crease of salaries and emoluments of Of
fee are among the many evils which rad
ical rule has forced upon the country. and
favoring an economical administration
Of the Federal and State Governments,
30 that the people may be as speedily as
possible relieved from the burden of tax
aticn with which they are now serious
ty oppressed, we call upon our Federal
and State Representatives to strive by
all proper means TO reduce them both TO
the very lowest practical number and
amount.
Fourth-That the conduct of the pres
ent State Treasurer il his management
of the Commonwealth finances; in his
neglecting to appropriate the moneys in
the Sinking Fund in payment of the.pub
lie debt as rapidly as required by law ;
non-accounting for the interest received
by him on the peoples money deposited
with the several banks and banking in
stitutions throughout the State, and his
insolent refusal to submit he archives of
the Treasury Department to legally
constituted committee of the House of
Representatives appointed to investigate
the same, is cause for grave suspicion,
and is deserving of the severest condem-
nation at the hands Of an outraged and
already overtaxed people.
Fifth-That the condition of our State
Treasury demands the most searching
and thorough investigation, and we call
upon the committee appointed by the
House of Representatives TO investigate
the state of the same, and resolutely pur-
sue the duty which has been con6ded to
it. A
Sixth--That the nominees of this Con.
vention are pledged to apply all moneys
in the Sinking Fund, as required by law
in the reduction of the public debt, and
thereby save the interest on the same tc
the, amount so reduced, and that moneys
due the Commonwealth from corpora
tions and individuals shall he promptly
collected and paid into the Treasury, and
not in any manner. directly or indirectly
TO employ public money for their own
profit or purposes
Seventh-Fhat the contraction of the
money currency and circulating medium
heretofore made by the Republican par
ty, and the further contraction proposed
by it with view to forced resumption
OF specie payments, has already brought
disaster to the business of the country
and threatens general bankruptcy. W.
demand that this policy be abandoned,
and that the volume be made and KEEP
equal to the wants of trade. leaving tht
restoration of the. legal tenders to par il
gold to be brought about by promoting
the interests of the people and not by
destroying them.
Eighth-That the policy already ini
tiaicd by the Republican party, of abol
ishipe Icgal-,enders, and giving the Ma
tioHal banks the power to furnish all th,
currency, will increase the power of al
already dangerous monopoly, and th'
enormous burdens now expressing tn,
people, without camprnsaiing advantage
and that all the National Bank crcula
ton be promptly and permanently retir
cd, and full legal tenders be issued il
their place.
Ninth-That the public interest dc
mands that the Government should ceas
to discredit its own money. and shoult
make lis legal tenders receivable for al
public duties except where respect fo
the obligation CT contracts requires pay
ment in coin.
Tcn,h-The extinction Of the presen
National banks and the establishment il
their stead of system OF free banks o
discount and deposit under such rcgIla
tons as the States respectively may pre-
scribe, and no paper money except suc|
as maybe issned directly, and upon th
faith OF the Federal Government afford
ing practically a currency based on III
gold and silver and other property q
the whele people of the country.
EIcven,h-That with this declaration
of principles and policy. we arraign TIL
leaders of the Republican party for thci
.cxtfssegant expenditures and profigat
-wastee the peoples money. for ilei
corruption, for their pccula.ion, for tiiei
contempt of constitutional obligations
for the ,xtrtionale increase Of the sals
res of our public officers, for their oI
l,ressive. unjust and def Give system {
taxes, finatcc ard cIrr, ncy, for thci
continuance of Incompetent and corrul
men in Office, and for their general mi:
management of both the Safe aud F,t
cral Goveinmenta and we cordially i,