The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-08-26
THE DEMOCRATIC
PLATFORM.
Official Text as Reported by tho
Committee.
Adopted at 81. Louis, June 2s. 1870.

We. the delegates of the democratic
party Of the United States, in nationsl con-
ventlon assembled, DO hereby declare the
administration Of the federal government
to be in urgent need Of immediate reform;
do hereby erjoiu upon the nominees of this
convention, and OF the democratic party in
e CHI state, a jealous effort and 60 opera
ton to this end, and do hereby appeal TO
our fellow-citiZens of every former political
connection to undertake with us th. first
an most pressing patriotic duty.
THE UNION, THE CONSTITUTION, REPUBLi-
CAN SELF-GOVERNMENT
For the democracy of the whole country,
we do hereby rcaffirm our faith 10 the per-
manence of the federal union: our devotion
t. the constitution Of the United states,
with its amendments universally accepted
as the final sett ement Of the controversies
that engendered civil war, ana do here re-
cord our steadiast confidence in the perpe
tuity OF republican selt-Rovernment.
THE FIRST CENTURY.
In absolute acquescence Ia the will Of
the majority--the vital principle OF repub.
lies: 10 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 equalits Of
all citizens before just laws OF their own en-
actment: in the liberty of individual con-
duet, unvexed by sumptuary laws; in the
faithful education Of The rising generation,
that they may preserve, enjoy and transmit
these best conditions # human happiness,
and hope We behold the noblest products Of
hundred years OF changeful hi.tory; but
while upholding the bond OF our union and
great charter OF these great rights, i. be-
hooves free people to practice blso that
eternal vigilance which Is the price OF
liberty.
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 n secession OF states but now to
be saved from corrupt centralism, viii h.
after inficting upon ten States the rapacity
Of clrpet-bag tyranuies, has honey. combed
the offices OF tue federal government itself
with incapacity, waste and fraud; infecte d
States and municipalities with the conta-
glon Of misrule. and locked fast the pros
perity OF an industrious people in the pa
rayss of hard times.
REFORM OF THE CURRENCY-sPECIE
PAYMENTS.
Reform is necessary to establish a sound
currency. restore the public credit and
maintain the national honor. We denounce
the failure for all these eleven years to
make good the promise Of the legal tender
notes, which are 3 changing standard OF
value in the hands OF the people, and the
non payment OF which IL a di,r, gard OF the
phghted faith Of the nation.
We denounce the improvidence which in
eleven years Of peace has taken from the
people, in federal taxes, thirteen times the
whole amount of the legal tender notes,
and squindered foui times this sum 10 use
less expense, without accuLnulatiDg any re.
| serve tor their redemption. We denounce
the hnanclal imDecllity and immortality OF
IN Al party which, during eleven years Of
peace. has made no advance toward re-.
dernption; no preparation for resumption
but, instead, has ob.t u ,ted resumption By
wasting our resources and exhausting all
or surplus income. and while annually
processing 10 intend a speedy return TO
.pecla PAYNE mt, has annually enacted fresh
Ilndrances thereio-as such a hindrance
we denounce the RI sumption clause Of the
act OF 1870, and we demand its repeal.
We demand a judicious system OF pre-
paration, by public economies, by official
retfenchment. and by the finances, which
shan enable the nation soon to assure the
Whole world of its perfect ability aud its
perfect readiness TO meet any of its PROM
ises at the call Of the creditor entitled TO
payment q n hai,.r. s,on , .,.,., ,, 80,
and, above all, entrusted t. competent
hands for its execution, Great ng at no time
an artihclal scarcity OF currency, and at no
| time alarming the public mind into a with.
| ura"al OF that vast machinery Of credit by
| winch 10 per ccnt OF all our business trans
| actions are performed: system open to
the pubic and inspiring general confidence,
| would, from he day of its ADOPTION bring
healing on its wings to all our harrassed in
dustries, set ia motion the wheels Of com
merce. manufactures and the me chapIcal
arts, restore employment to labor, and re-
new IN ill its national sources the prosper
| ity OF the people.
| REFORM OF THE TARIFF-FREE TRADE.
Reform is necessary in the sum and mode
| OF federal taxation, TO the end that capita,
may be set free from distrust and lab r
! lightly burdened. We denounce the pres.
| eEt tarif levied upon nearly four thousand
| articles a mast n piece Of injustice, in
equality and false pretense. II yields q
dwindling, not yearly rising revenue, II
| mas Impoverished many industries to sub
sidize flew; 1t prohibits imports that mig ht
| purchase The products Of American l,bors;
| u has degraded American commerce rom
the nrst 10 an inferior rank upon the high
sea-; 1t has cut down the sales of American
| manufactures at home an 4 abroad, and de.
pIeied tne returns OF American agriculture,
an industry followed by halt our people. Ii
| costs the people five times more than Il pro.
| uuces 70 the treasury; obstructs the process
or production, and wastes the fruits of ls.
DOT IL promotes fraud, fosters smuggling
ehriches dishonest officials and tankrupts
| honest merchants. We demand that .li
custom mouse taxation shall be only Tor
revenue. '''
REFORM IN PUBLIC EXPENSE.
Reform Is necessary In the scale of public
expense-federal, State ana municinal
our federal taxation has swollen from sixtv
millions gold, In 1860, 70 four hundred and
MY millions currency, In 1870 Our aegre.
ate lanation, from one hundred and fifty.
Jour miiiions gold In 1860, to seven hundred
and thirty millions currency In $50. or in
one decade. IRON less than five dollars ner
head TO more than eighteen dollars per he'd
since the peace the people have paid a.
| their tax-gatherers more than thrice the
sum OF the national debt, and more than
twice that sum for the federal government
alone. We demand vigorous frugality in
every department, and from every officer
oil the government.
RECOMMENDING LANDS TO ACTUAL SIT.
TLxRs.
| REFORM IL necessary to put stop To The
pfohisate waste OF the public lands and
theit diversion from actual settlers by the
Party IN power, which has sauandered
Soo,ooo.OC0 acres upon railroads alone. and
80 amount OF more than thrice that apere.
mas uls,oseu OF less than Q sixth di.
fecly 10 the tillers Of the soil
REFoRh-ADOPTED CITIZENS, RrJrcrr,
MONGOLs.
| he,orsa 10 necessary 10 correct the ommi..
s,oh OF republican congress and the error.
VI our treaties and our diplomacy which
nave stripped our fellow-citizens Of Foreign
1911 anu hindred race, recrossing the Al.
ianue, OF The shield OF American citizen.
P a,e aaa nave exposed our hrethers OF the