The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1876-09-07
Platform of the National Democratic
Party.

We, tho delegates of the Democrat
ic party of the Unitod States, in ma
tional convention assembled, do horo
declare the administration of the Fed.
eral government to bo in urgont need
OF immediate reform; do hereby enjoin
upon the nominees of this convention
and of the Democratic party in each
State, a jealous effort and Corpora
tion to this end, and do hereby appeal
to our follow citizens of every formor
political connection to undertake with
us this first and most pressing patriot
ic duty for the Democracy of tho
whole country, We do horo reaffirm
our faith in tho permanoncy Of the
Federal Union, our devotion to the
constitution OF the united States, with
its amendments universally accepted,
as final settlement of the controvor-
sizes that ongenderod civil war, and do
hero record our steadfast confidence in
the perpetuity Of Republican self gov~
ernment; in absolute acquioscenco in
tho will Of the majority, tho vital prin-
eiple of the republic; in tho supremacy
of the civil ovor the military authori-
ty; in tho total separation of church
and State, for tho sake alike Of civil
and religious froodom; in the equality
Of all citizens boforo just laws of their
OVID enactment, in tho liberty Of indi>
vidual conduct, unvcXcd by sumptuary
laws; in the faithful oducation of Tile
rising generation, that they may pro-
servo, enjoy and transmit these bost
conditions Of human happiness and
hope. Wo behold tho n0blest pro-
ducts Of u hundred years of changcful
history, but, whilo upholding tho bond
OF our Union and great charter of
these our rights, it bchoovcs n froo
people to practice also that eternal
Vigilance wi5c!, is tho price of Iibcrty.
Rcior'n '~ I,caAssary to rebuild and
establish ~ the hearts Of the whole
p5opIo the uon eleven years ago
l0pn'iy rG.rNc] from tho danger of u
rorrUpu r}utr"'' n, which, after inhict-
-" uD)n ten ,latcs the rapaciLy Of
catE9t DaH ty"AuAies, has hCncycomb-
90 th&N4icCY nt no Federal govern
mont itself Wllh ,ncapocity, waste and
fraud; Injected States and municipal-
lies with the contagion Of misrulo,
and locked fast tho prosperity Of an
industrious people in tho paralysis Of
hard times. Reform is necessary to
establish sound currency, restore tho
public credit and maintain the na>
tional honor We denouucc tho fail
nro Of all these eleven years to mako
good the promise Of the loyal tondcr
nQtaowNbich pGe vi
Of valuo in the hands of tho people,
and tho non payment Of which is q
disregard of tho plightod faith Of tho
nation, We donounco tho improvi-
denco which in eleven years of peace
has taken from tho people in Federal
taxes thirteen times tho whole
amount Of tho legal tender notes, and
squandercd four times this sum in
useless expense, without tho accumu-
lation Of any reserve for their rcdcmp-
ton. We dcnounco tho financial im-
bocility and immortality of that party
which during the eleven years ofpcacc
has made no advance towards rcsump-
tion; that, instead, has obstructod re-
sumption by wasting our resources
and exhausting all our surplus income
and, whilo annually protesting to in
tend aspoody iuturn to specie pay
ments, has annually enacted fresh
hindrances thoroto, rs such n him
drance we denounco tho resumption
clause of the Act of 1875, and we
here demand its repeal. We demand
n judicious system OF preparation by
public econimios, by official rotrench-
ments, and by wiso finance, which
shall enable the nation TO assure tho
whole world of its perfect ability and
it's perfect readiness TO moet any of its
promises at tho call of the creditor on-
titlod to payment. We believe such
n system Woll devised; and, above all en-
trusted TO competent hands for oxecu~
tion, creating at no timo an artificial
security of currency, and at no time
alarming the public mind into q
withdrawal Of that vastor mas
chinery of credit by which ninety five
per cent. of all business transactions
arc performed; system open, public
and inspiring general confidence,
would, from tho day of its adoption,
bring healing on its wings to all our
harrassed industry, and set in motion
the wheels Of commerce, manufactur,
.es and the mechanical arts; restore
employment to labor, and ronow. in
all it's national source, tho prosperity
Of tho OoOplo- RnfOrn1 10 ro,a,oo -