The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1876-08-10
Platform of the National Democratic
Party.


ic party of the United States, in ma
tional convention assembled, do hore
declare tho administration of the Fed.
oral government to bo in urgent need
of immediate roform; do hereby enioin
upon tho nominees of this convention
and of the Democratic party in each
State, jealous effort and Corpora
ton to this ond, and do hereby appeal
TO our follow oitizons of ovory former
political connection to undertake with
US this first and most pressing patriot.
ic duty for the Democracy of the
whole country. We do hero roaflirm
our faith in the permanency of tho
Federal Union, our devotion to the
constitution OF tho united States, with
its amendments universally accepted,
as q final settlement Of the controvor-
sizes that ongenderod civil war, and do
tho pcrpotuity of Republican self gov>
ornmont; in absolute acqucSconce in
the will of tho majority, tho vital prin.
ciplc of tho republic; in tho supremacy
OF tho civil over the military authori-
ty; in tho total separation of church
and State, for the sake alike of civil
and religious freedom; in tho equality
of all citizens before just laws of thoir
OVID onactmont, in tho liberty of indi>
vidual conduct, unvexcd by sumptuary
laws; in tho faithful education of the
rising generation, that they may pro-
servo, enjoy and transmit these best
conditions of human happiness and
hopo. We bohold tho noblost pro-
ducts of hundred yoars of ohangeful
history, but, while upholding tho bond
OF our Union and great charter Of
those our rights, it bohoovcs froo
people to practice also that eternal
vigilance which is tho price of liberty
Roform ID necessary to rebuild and
establish in tho hearts of the whole
pcoplo tho Union eleven years ago
happily rescued from tho danger of n
corrupt centralism, which, after inhct-
ing upon ten States the rapacity of
carpet bag tyrannies, has hcneycomb-
cd the offices of the Federal govern
mont itself with incapacity, waste and
fraud; infected States and municpal>
ltics with the contagion Of msrulo,
and locked fast the prosperity of an
industrious people in tho paralysis Of
hard times. Reform is necessary to
establish sound currency, restore the
public credit and maintain tho ma
tional honor Wo denounco the fail.
ure of all these eleven years TO make
good tho promise Of the legal tender
notes which arc a changing standard
of valno in the hands of the people,
and the non payment Of which is a
disregard of the plightcd faith Of tho
nation, We dcnounco tho improvi-
donce which in oloven years of peace
has taken from the people in Federal
taxes thirteen times the whole
amount of the loyal Lendor notes, and
sqnanderod four times this sum in
useless expense, without the accumu-
latlon of any reserve for their rodemp.
tlon. Wc dcnounco tho financial inns
bccility and immortality of that party
which during the eleven years ofpcaco
has made no advance towards resump.
tion; that, instead, has obstructed re-
sumption by wasting our resources
and oXhausting all our surplus income
and, Whil6annually protesting to in
tend speedy return to specie pays
monts, has annually enacted fresh
dranco wo denounce the resumption
clause of tho Act of 1875, and wo
hero domand its repeal. We demand
a judicous aystcm of preparation by
public oconimos, by official rctrench-
monts, and by wiso finance, which |
shall enable the nation to assure the
whole world Of its perfect ability and
It's perfect readiness TO meet any OF its
promises at the call of the creditor en-
titled to payment. We believe such
a system we'll devised and, above all en-
trusted to competent hands for oXecu>
ton, creating at no time an artificial
security OF currency, and at no time
alarming the public mind into n
withdrawal of that vastor ma
chinory Of credit by which ninety five
per cent. of all business transactions
arc performed; system open, public
and inspiring general confidence,
would, from the day OF its adoption, |
bring healing on its wings to all our
harrasscd industry, and set in motion
tho whccis of commerce, manufactur, |
cS and tho mechanical arts; restore |
to labor, and rcnoW, in |
all It's national source, the prosperity |
of tho people. Reform is necessary
IN tho sum and mode OF Federal LaXa> !
ton, to the end that capital may be
Set free from distrust and labor light
~ burdcncd. We dcnounco the pres,
ont tariff imposed upon nearly 1000
articles as " master piece OF Injustice,
no4uaIty ana false prctcnco. 1t