The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1876-08-05
TIE PLATFORM.

- :.
TIE PLATFORM.
St. Louis. Juac 2s-The convention
was called to order at,2:l5 p. m.
Judge Meredith, Of Virginia, Chairman
of Committee OH Resolutions, presented
the report. stating a great many resolu-
tons were presented. all of viii Il had
been carefully examined and discussed
before coming to an agreement. He re-
auestcl Governor DOrsheimer, Of New
York. to read it to the convention, rs fol-
lows:
THE PLATFORM.
We. the delegates of the Democratic
party Of the United States, in National
Convention assembled, do here declare
the administration of the Federal Gov
eminent to he in urgent need of immedi-
ate reform. do hereby enioin upon the
nominees of this Convention and of the !
Democratic party in each State a Jealous !
eff 1T and corporation to this end, and
DO hereby appeal to our citizens
of every former political connection to
undertake with us this first and most !
pressing patriotic duty. For the Demo-
cracy of tho whole country we do here
reatlirm our faith in the permanency of
the Federal Union. Our devotion to the
Constitution Of the United States, with
its amendments universally accepted as a
final settlement of the controversies that
enyendcrcd civil war, and do here record
our stealfast confidence in the perpetuity
of Republican self-governrnent; in abso.
lutte acquiescence in the will Of the ma
iority, the vital principles of republics
in the supremacy of the civil over the
military authority; in the total scpera-
ton 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 enactment;
IN TIE LIBERTY
| of individual conduct, unvexcd by snmp-
tnary laws. In the faithful education of
the rising generation, that they may
preserve, enjoy and transmit these best
conditions ofhuman happiness and hope,
we behold the nohlest products OF Il hum
dred years Of cl,angeful history; but
while upholling the bond Of orr union,
and the great charter of these our rights,
it behooyes a free people to practice also
that eternal vigilance which is the price
of liberty. Reform is necessary to re-
build and establish in the hearts of the
whole people the union eleven years ago
happily rescued from the danger of cor
rupt centmlism which, after intlicting
upon ten States the rapacity OF
CARPET-BAG TYRANNlES..
Has honcy-comhcd the officers of the
Federal Government itself with incapaci-
ty. waste. and fraud, infected States and
Municipalities with the contagion Of mis-
rule, and locked fast the prosperity OF an
industrious people i'll the paralysis OF
hard times. Reform is necessary to es-
tablish IL sound currency, restore the
public credit, and maintain the national
honor. We de,!ounse the failure for all
these eleven years. to make good the
promise Of the legal tender notes which
are changing standard Of value in the
hands of the people, and the non.pay-
ment Of which is a disregard of the
p!ightcd faith of the nation. We de-
no,nce the iliiprovidencc 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
sauandere,l four times this sum in Use
less expense without accumulating any
reserve for their redemption. We de-
nounce the financial imbecility and in-
morality Of that party which. during
eleven years of peace has made, no ad-
vance toward resumption; that instead,
has ol,structel resumption by wasting
our resources and cxl,austing Ill our sur
plus income, and while annually profess
sing to intend .,
A SPEEDY RETURN TO SPECIE
PAYMENTS
| has annually enacted fresh hinlrances
thereto, as such a hinderapce We de.
nounce the resumption clause OF the act
Of 1875, and We here demand it's REPEAL
We demand a .jndicious SYSTEM, tf pre-:
paration by public economies, by official
3 retrenclmen Is and by wise fina nee which
| shall enable the nation. to insure thu
/ whole world Of its perfect ability and it,
D perfect readiness to meet any ofits prom
ises at the call Of the creditor entitled tt
PAYMENT. We believe such system
we'll devised and above all entrusted t.
: competent hands for execution, creatin:
+ at no time hi artificial scarcity Of cur
I rency and at no time alarming the pub
|, lie mind into a withdrawal of that vas
ter machinery Of credit by which ninety
five per cent. of all business transaction
70 are performed, system open, public an
~ inspiring general confidence would frol
y; the day Of its adoption
'e BRING HEALING ON ITS WINGS
|. to all our harrasse0 industry and set i
is motion the wheels of commerce, mani
le factnres and the mechanical arts, restO'
ID employment to labor and renew In I'LL i
st national source the prosperity of til
'e people. Reform is necessary in the SUI
A. and mode Of Federal taxation to the ell
s. that capital may be set free from distre
!. and labor lightly 'bntdenea. We d
nounce the present tariff levied npe
nearly four thousand articles as q maste
~ piece Of injustice, Inequality and fall