The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-09-01
THE DEMOCRATIC
PLATFORM.
Official Text as Reported by the
Committee.
Adopted at st. Louis. June IS. 1875.


our fellow. citizens Of every former political |
to undertake with us this first |
an 4 most pressing patriotic duty.
THE UNION, THE CONSTITUTION, REPUBLl- |
CAN sELF-GOvERNMENT |
For the democracy of the whole country, |
we do hereby reaffirm our faith in the per- |
manence of the federal union: our devotion |
to the constitution of the United States,
with its ameL dments universally accepted
as the final settlement of the controversies
that engendered civil war, and do here re-
cord our steadiast confidence in the perpe.
tuitv of republican selt-government.
THE FIRST CENTURY.
In absolute acquiescence in the will OF
the msjority-the vital principle OF repnb-
lies; in the supremacy Of the civil over the
military 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-
actment: in the liberty of individual con-
duct, unvexed by sumptuary laws; in the
faithful education of the rising generation,
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 great rights, !. be-
hooves free people to practice also That
eternal vigilance which is the price OF
liberty.
REFoRM-CoRRUPTIoN
Reform Is necessary to build and establish
| in the hearts OF the whole people the union,
eleven years ago happily rescued from the
| danger of q secession of states but now to
| be saved from corrupt centralism, viii .h,
after inflicting upon ten states the rapac1iy
| Of carpet-bag tyranuies, has hOuey.combed
| the offices OF the federal government itself
| with incapacity, waste and fraud; infected
| states and municipalities with the conta-
| glon of mi srule, and locked fast the pros
perity OF an industrious people in the pa
| ralysis of hard times.
REFORM OF THE CURRENCY-sPECIE
PAYMENTS.
| Reform is necessary to establish sound
currency, restore the public credit and
maintain the nationalhonor. We denounce
| the failure for all these eleven years to
make good the promise of the legal tender
value in the hands OF the people, and the
| non payment of which is di-rs gard OF the
| plighted faith of the nation.
We denounce the improyidence which in
eleven years Of peace has taken from the
ReSoR IN asr al 16s sasF sn as
and squandered foui times this sum ia use
less expense, without accommodating any re-
serve tor their redemption. We denounce
the financial imbecility and immortality OF
that party which, during eleven years OF
peace, has made no advance toward re.
demption; no preparation for resumption
but, instead, has obstiucted resumption by
wasting our resources and eXhausting al
our surplus income, and while annually
processing to intend a speedy return tC
specie payment, has annually enacted fresl
hindrances theretO-as such "A hindrance
we denouuce the re sumption clause OF the
act OF 1875, and we demand its repeal.
We demand a juuicious system OF pre-
paration, by public economies, by otficia
retrenchment, and by the finances, which
shall enable the nation soon to assure the
whole world OF its perfect ability and it
perfect readiness to meet any OF its prom
4 ises at the call of the creditor entitled u
payment.
We believe such a system, well devised
and, above all, entrusted to competen
hands for its execution, Great ng at no tim
an artificial scarcity OF currency, and at II
time alarming the pubic mind into with
drawal OF that vast machinery OF credit b
which % per cent. OF all our business tram
actions are performed; system open I
. the public and inspiring general confidence
would, from the day of its adoption, brin
-, healing on its wings to all our harrassed il
a. dustries, set in motion the wheels of con
in merce, manufactures and the me chanlc,
of arts, restore employment to labor, and r,
new in all its national sources the prosper
ity OF the people.
REFORM OF THE TARIFE-FREE TRADE
Reform is necessary in the sum and mod
ne OF federal taxation, to the end that capitl
may be set free from dstrust and labo
lightly burdened. We denounce the pres
ent tariff levied upon nearly four thousan
J, articles as a mastsr piece Of injustice, in
i NJ fal H..
dwindling, not yearly rising revenue.
has impoverished many industries TO sub
sidize afew; 1t prohibits imports that Nigh
y | purchase .he products Of American labor.
IT has degraded American commerce Iror
the nrst TO an inferior rank upon the hig
= seas; II has cut down the sales of Anne RIGA
manufactures at home an abroad, and df
an industry followed BY Ratf our pe eop.ar
costs the people hive times more than il prt
duees TO the treasury; obstructs the process
OF production, and wastes the fruits OF \,
oorl II promotes fraud. fosters smugglinG
enriches dishonest officials and bsnkruni
honest merchants. We demand that q
custom house taxation shall be only 1,
revenue. -
REfoRM-kcoNoMY IN PUBLIC EXPENSE
Reform is necessary in the scale Of nnhI
expense-federal. State and municina
Oui federal taxation has swollen from 81 4,
million, gold, in 1860, TO four hundred an
nity millions currency, in 1870 Our age,r
i. gate taxation. from one hundred and fft
TOUR mliiions gold in 1860, TO seven hupdr,
ana thirty millions currency in 1870; or.
one decade, from less than five dollars n
cr mead 70 more than eighteen dollars per bea
Jar since the peace the people have paid
ket .neir tAx-gatherers more than thrice Il
sum OF the national debt, and more tn
twice that sum for the federal goyerpme
alone' We demand vigorous frugality
every department, and from every offc
oil the government.
r. RrFoRM-PUBLIc LANDS TO ACTUAL s,
>, TIERS.
IN, reform Is Necessary to nut a stop IN ,
pIonigate waste of the public lands a
tneir diversion from actual settlers NV :
z party In power, which has sousnderr
III. S0,VoO'OO0 acres upon railroads Alone =
On amount OF more than thrice that aeg
gate, has disposed OF less than 4 sixib
'no rectiy to the tillers Of the soil.
REFoRM-ADOPTtD CITIZENS. RyJrcr
mt hfcrm Is necessary TO correct the omm
an non OF republican congress and the err.
arm OF our treaties and our diplomacy. viii
m. nave stripped our feliow-citizens Of iorei
puIn ana kindred race, recrossing the
lant1c, Of the shield OF American citizs
: chip, and have exposed our brethern of I,
~ l. :