The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-07-20
Democratic Platform Adgp ted a
Columbus. Ohio. June II, 1875.

Democratic Platform Adop ted a
Columbus, Ohio, June IL, 1875.
The Democratic party Of Ohio, in
State convention assembled, proclaim
the following propositions of political
faith and action: e e
l. A sacred adherence to the princi-
Piles Of government declared and put tiu
practical operation by the fathers of the
Republic.
2. Opposition to aggressions by either
department Of the Government upon the
functions of the others. and to the ex-
ercises by Federal authority of any Of
the powers reserved by the Constitution
to the States respectively, or to the peo.
pie.
3. The protection Of the government
to all citizens; without regard to race,
color or previous condition Of servitude.
4. The presidents service should be
limited to one term, at salary of twen-
ty-6ve thousand dollars year.
5. Retrencbment and reform in every
department of government - Federal,
State and local. stt4t} Il
6. No grants of land or money by the
government or use of its credit to rail
road. steamship or other companies.
Z. The preservation of the remnant Of
public lands for the benefit Of citizens of
the United States. and foreign emigrants
who have declared their intention to be-
come such, who will occupy and culti-
yate the same.
8. That the contraction OF. the cur
rency heretofore made.by the Republican
party, and the further contraction pro-
posed byit, with view TO the forced
resumption of specie payment. has al
ready brought disaster TO the business
Of the country, and threatens it With
general bankruptcy and ruin. We de-
mand that this policy be abandoned, and
that the volume Of currency be made and
kept equal to the wants of trade. leav-
ing the restoration of legal tenders to
par with gold to be brought about by
promoting the industries Of the people,
and not by destroying them.
8. That the policy already initiated
BY the Republican party Of abolishing
legal tenders and giving the National
Banks the pow,r to furnish all the cur
rency, will increase the power of an al
ready dangerous monopoly, and the
enormous burdens DOW expressing the
people, without any compensatiDg ad
vantage. And that we oppose to this
policy the demaud that all the National
Bank circulation be promptly and per
maneutly retired. and legal tenders
issued in their place. z.la
20. That public interest demands thai
the government should cease to discredi'
its own currency, and should make its
legal tenders receivable for all public
dues, except where respect for the obli-
cation of contracts requires payment in
coin; and that we favor the payment o.
at least one half of the customs in lega
tenders. .sH51.q l.a a4e
II. The extinction Of the presen
National Banks, aud the establishment
in their stead of a system Of Free Banks
of discount and deposit only under such
regulations as the States may respect
lively prescribe. And no paper currency
except such as may be issued directly by
and upon the faith of the General Gov
ernmens. ,3a
u. A tariff for the sole purpose o
revenue. lEa gas
/ 13. We favor the complete separation
of church and State; religious iudepen
dence and absolute freedom of opinion
equal and exact justice to all religious
societies; and purely secular education
at the expense of the tax payer, withou
division among. or control by any sect
directly or indirectly, of any portion o
4 the public. school fund.
In view Of the admirable provisions
! of or State Constitution upon these sub
jects, which are due to the energy ant
wisdom of the Democratic party, We de
nounce the Republican platform as al
insult to the intelligence Of the peopl
of Ohio, and base appeal to sectarial
prejudices.
IA. That we are OPPOSED to the pass
age Of what are called sumptuary laws
or any interference with social habits o
customs, not in themselves criminal; ant
we reprobats any espionage by one clas
of citizens upon another under any pre-
tence whatever.
j With this declaration of principle
and policy, we arraign the leaders of tn
Republican party for their extravasan
expenditure and proAigate waste of th'
peoples money; for their oppressive, un
Just, and defective system Of taxation
and finance; for their continued tyraun.
and cruelty to the Southern States Of th
Union; for their squandering of the pub
lie lands; for their continuance of in
competent and corrupt men in Office a
home and abroad; and for their genera
mismanagement Of the Government
And we cordially invite all men, withou
regard to past party associations, to co
operate with us it expelling them fror
power. and in securing such an admins
tration Of public affairs as characterize
the purer and better days Of the Repub
lie.