The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-09-28
The Democratic Platform.

We, the delegates of the Democratic
party of the United States in National Con-
ventlon assembled, do hereby declare the
administration of the Federal Government
to be in urgent need of immediate reform;
do hereby enjoin upon the nominees of this
convention, and of the Democratic party in
each State, u jealous effort and cooperation
to this end, and do hereby appeal 10 our
fellow-citiz ms Of every forner. political con
nection to undertake wesSs this first and
most patriotic duty.
For the Democracy Of the whole country
we do here reaifiTm our faith in the per-
manence e tbeFcderal Union; our devo-
ton to the Constitution Of the United States,
with its amendments universally accepted
ss Kaal settlement of the controversy that
peHSendered civil war; and do here record
our stesdfast confidence In the perpetuity
of republican self-government.
In absolute sequiescence in the will of the
msjority-the vital principle of republics;
in the supremacy of the civil over the mill
tary authority; in the total separation of
church and State, for the sake alike of civil
and religious freedom; in the equality of all
citizens before just laws OF their own en-
ac,ment; in the liberty OF individual con-
duct unvexed by sumptuary laws; in the
that they may preserve, enjoy and transmit
these best conditions of human happiness
and hope, We behold the noblest products
of hundred years OF changeful history
but while upholding the bond of our Union,
and great charter of these our rights, it
behooves free people 10 practice. also,
that eternal vigilance which is the price of
liberty.
REFORM Is necessary to rebuild and es ab
Iish, in the hearts of the whole pes'pie, the
Union, eleven years ago happily rescued
| from the danger Of ! secession of States, bu
now TO be saved frpm n corrupt Centralism,
which, after inflicung Hpon ten STATES the
rapacity Of csrpet-bag tyrannies, has honey
combed the offices of tue Federal Govern
ment itself with ineap-city, wsste and
/ fraud; Injected States aud municipslitie:
with the coatagion Of msrule; aud locked
fast the prosperity uf sn industrious people
in the paralysis OF ''HArd Times"
Rsfors as necessary to establish a sound
currency, restore the public debt, and
maintain the National honor.
We denounce the failure of all these clever
years Of peace to make good ths promise o.
the legal tender notes, which are chang
ing standard OF value in the hands of til,
people, and the non-pAyment Of which il
disregard OF the phghted faith = OF th'
Nation.
We denounce the improvidence which,
in eleven years OF peace, has taken from th'
people in Federal taxes thirteen times ths
whole amount of the legal tender notes. aAC
squandrred fozr times their sum in useless
expense without sccumulating any reseFv,
for their redemption.
We denounce the financial Imbecility ani
immortality OF thai party which, during
eleven years Of peace, hes made no advAnc
toward resumption, no preparation for re
sumption, but instead has INSTRUCTED re
sumption, BY wasting our resources and ex
hansting AL our safplns income, and whih
annually protesting 10 intend = speedy re
turn ~ specie payments. has annually en-
acted fresh hindrsnees shereto. As such
hindrance, wu denpnncs the resamPsio,
\ clause OF The act Of 1873. aad demand il
Fepesl.