Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-06-29
THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC
PLATFORM.

We give entire the platform re-
ported by the majority of the COM
mite at St. Louis yesterday and
adopted by an overwhelming ma
iority. A minority report submit
ted by General Ewing, Of Ohio,
received respectful treatment, but
only a weak support;
We the delegates Of the Democratic
party of the United States, IN National
Convention assembled, do hereby declare
the administration Of the Federal gov
eminent to be in urgent need OF imme-
date reform. and do hereby enjoin upon
the nominees Of the convention and OF
the Democratic party IN each State a
Jealous effort and cooperation TO this
end, and do hereby appeal to our fellow
citizens Of every former political connec-
tion TO undertake with Us this first and
most pressing private duty.
For the Democracy Of the whole eoun-
try we do here reafirm our faith in the
permanence Of the Federal Union; our
devotion to the Constitution OF the
United States, with its amendments uni
y~ersally accepted as o final settlement OF
the controversies that e%ngenders civil
war. and do here record our steadtast
confidence in the prosperity of republl'
can selfgovernment; in absolute aeqli.
escence in the will of the majority, the
vital principle Of republics; in the su
premacy Of the civil over the military
authority; in the total separation o
+ church and State, for the sake alike O
civil aud religious freedom; in the equal
: ity of all citizens before just laws 0
their " enactment; in the liberty 0
!, individual conduct, unvexed by sumptu
airy laws; in the faithful education q
the rising generation, that they ma
! preserve, enjoy and transmit these bei
conditions of human happiness and hop
VI we behold the noblest products Of a hui
II dred years Of ohangeiul history.
But while upholding the bond OF OIL
Union and the great charter Of these OF
a. rights, it behooves a free people TO pra
: tice also that eternal vigilance which
D. the price Of liberty. Reform is niece
No sary TO rebuild and establish in the hear
OF the whole people the Union, elevl
e. years ago happily rescued from the da
,er ger Of Q corrupt centrslism, which, ait
\ inAicting upon ten States the rspacity
carpetbag tyrannies, has honeycomb
aid the Offices Of the Federal Governme
.bo itself with ~inespacity, waste and frau
States and municipalities with the CT
nd tagiou Of misrule, and locked fast
the prosperity Of an industrious people
!, the paralysis Of hard times.
ne Reform is necessary to establish
Ell SQUAD currency, restore the public ere
and maintain the national honor.
hat denouuoe the failure for all these eleV
FIR years to make good the promise Of
r. legal tender notes, WHICH are q chang
lcl standard Of value in the hands of
Ler- people. aud the non-payment OF VII
-. IL a disregard Of the plighied faitI
MS the nation. We denounce the impr
* dence which in eleven years Of peace
taken from the people, in Federal Ia
one thirteen times the whole amount Of
'acy legal tender notes, and %squandered
+. . times this sum in useless expense '
out a%ccumulating any reserve tor
nge redemption. We denounce the hnal
q aIiubecility and immortality OF that p
which during eleven years OF peace
zen made no adyspce toward resuml
act. and no preparation for assumptions
instead has INSTRUCTED re~sumpHol
cen, wasting our resources and exhaustin
4 Of our surplus income, and while ann
~ protesting to intend 8 speedy retu
81 " specie payments, has annually ems
first fresh hindrances thereto. As su
Ia, hindrsRce we denounce the resumI
'n clause Of the act of 1875, and we
Bay demand It's repeal.
,aod We demand q judiciors system o.
paration, by public economics, by Of
vote retrenchments, and by wise fin
79S which shall enable the nation TO a
the whole world Of its perfect abilit
llden its perfect readiness TO meet any
Allen promises at the call Of the creditor
tied 10 payment We believe such
Day TEN, we'll devised, and, above al
nina trusted to competent hands for G