The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1876-10-19
Platform Of the National Democratic
Party

10 party OF tho United Statesy I'm ma
tional convention assembled, do here
declare the administration of the Fed
eras government to bo in urgent need
Of immediate reform; do horeby enjoin
upon the nominees of this convention
and of the Democratic party in each
State, q Jealous effort and co-opera-
tion to this end, and do hereby appeal
TO our fellow citizens of cvery former
political connection to undertake with
ps this first and most pressing patriot
ic duty for the Democracy Of the
whole country. We do hero reaffirm
our faith in the permanency Of the
Federal Union, our devotion TO the
constitution OF tho united States, with
its amendments universally accepted,
rs q final settlement of the controvcr-
sizes that engendered civil war, and do
here record our steadfust confidence in
the perpotuty Of Republican self gov
ernmenl; in absolute acquieNcence in
tho will of the majority, the vital prin
cipo of tho republic; in the supremacy
of tho civil over the military authori-
~; in tho total separation OF church
and State, for the suko alike of civil
and religious freedom; in the equality
Of all citizens before just laws OF their
OVID enactment, in tho liberty Of indi~
viduul conduct, unvcXed by sumptunry
laws; in the faithful education Of the
rising generation, that they may pre-
serve, enjoy and transmit these best
conditions OF human happiness and
hope. Wo behold tho nobIest pro-
ducts of q hundred years of changctul
history, but, whilo upholding the bond
of our Union and great charter OF
these our rights, it bchooves II FREQ
vigilance which is the price of liberty.
Reform ls necessary to rebuild and
establish in the hearts Of the whole
people tho Union eleven years ago
happily rescued from the danger Of q
corrupt centralism, which, after innict.
ing upon ten States the rapucity of
CARPET bag tyrannies, has hCneycomb-
cd lHo Offices Of the Federal govern
mont itself with incapacity, waste and
fraud; infected States and munic, pail
tiles with the contagion of misrulc,
and locked fast tho prosperity Of an
industrious peoplo in tho paralysis of
bard times. Reform is necessary to
establish n sound currency, restore the
public credit and maintain the .nn-
tional.honor. We denouucc the fail
nrc of all these eleven years to make
good the promise Of tho legal tender
notes which are u changing standard
Of valuo in tho hands of tho people
and tho non payment Of which il /,
disregard of tho pIightcd faith Of tn,
nation, Wo dcnounco the improvi,
dcnco which in eleven years Of peace
has taken from the people in Federal
taxes thirteen times tho whole
amount Of tho legal lendor notes, and
squandered. four times this sum in
useless expense, without tho accumu-
latIon Of any reserve for their rcdrmp
ton. We denounce the fnAnclnl im-
becilty and immortality Of that party
which during tho eleven years ofpcacc
has made no advance towards rcsump.
tiOn; that, instead, has obstructed re-
sumption NY wasting our resources
ard cXhausting all our surplus income
and, While annually protesting TO in
tend y speedy ,eturn to specie pays
ments, has annually enacted fresh
hlndranccS thereto, as such hin
drance we dcnouncc the resumption
clause of tho Act of 1875, and we
here domand its repeal. Wo demand
q jndicious system or preparation by
public econimies, by official rctrench-
ments, and by wiso finance, which
shall enable tho nation to assure the
whole world of its perfect ability and
its perfect readiness 10 moot any of itA
promises at the call of the creditor en-
titled TO payment. We believe such
asysCem wol devised; and, above all Ell
trusted TO competent hands for cXecu>
tl"n, creating at no time an artificial
security OF currency, and ut no time
alarming the public mind into II
withdrawal of that vastcr ma
chinery of credit by which ninety five
per cent. OF all business trunaactions
ire, performed; a7systcm open, public
and inspiring general confidence,
wonld; iron the day otsits atfoltUfon,
bring Shealing ON its wings to ali our
harrasSed industry, and set in motion
the wheels Of commerce. munulactnr,
es and the mechanical arts; restore
employment TO labor, and renew, IN
all its national source, tho prosperity
OF the people. Reform is necessary
in tho sum and mode of FcAernl tuvn