The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-07-16
THE DEMOCRATIC
PLATFORM.
Official Text as Reported by the
Committee.
Adopted at 81. Lo"i.. June ~. 1876.

We the delegates of the democratic
party of the United states, in national con-
yention assembled, do hereby declare the
OF the federal government
TO he in urgent need OF immediate reform:
do hereby enjoin upon the nominees OF this
convention, and OF the democratic party in
each State, Jealous effort and eo.opera-
ton TO this end, and do hereby appeal to
our fellow-citizens Of every former political
connection TO undertake with Us this first
and most pressing patriotic duty.
THE UNION, THE CONSTITUTION, REPUBL!-
CAS- sELF-GoVERNMENT.
For the democracy of the whole country,
we do hereby reafiirm our faith 10 the per-
manence of the federal union; our devotion
to the constitution of the United States.
with its amel dments universally accepted
a. the final settlement of the controversies
that engendered civil war, and do here re-
cord our steadiast confidence in the perpe.
tuity of republican selt-government.
THE FIRST CENTURY.
In absolute acquiescence in the will of
the majority-the vital principle of repub-
lies; in the supremacy of the civil over the
military Authority, in tle total separation OF
| church and state, Tor the sake alike OF civil
! and religious freedom; in the equality OF
! III citizens before lust laws OF their own en-
| actment; in the liberty of individual con
duct, unyeXed by sumptuary laws; in III,
| faithful education of the rising generation
| that they may preserve, ENJOY and transmit
| these best conditions Of human happiness
re Se aHsGf SH' Rg2aHf'
while upholding the bond OF our union and
| great charter OF these great rights, i. be
| hooyes fee people TO practi e also tina
eternal Vigilance which Is the price o
liberty.
| RFf0RM-CoRRUFTION-
Reform is necessary to build aud establish
IN the hearts OF the whole people the union
eleven years ago happily Rescued from ia,
danger OF secession OF states but now I,
be saved froma corrupt centralism, viii ch
after inflicting upon ten states the rapaciu
OF carpet-bag tyrannies, has hone '. combe,
the Offices OF tue federal government itsel
with lncapacity, waste and fraud: intecte,
states and municipalities with the conts
glon of mlsrule, and locked last the pros
perty OF AN industrious people in the pa
ralysis of hard times.
REFORM OF THE CURRENCY-SPECI
PAYMENTS.
Reform is necessary 10 establish sOun
currency, restore the public credit an
maintain the national honor. We denounc
the failure for all these eleven years I
make good the promise OF the legal tende
notes, which are a changing standard
value IN the hands OF the people, aud Ia
. non payment OF which IL a disregard OF III
p1ghted faith Of the nation.
We denounce the imDrovidence which /
eleven years Of peace has taken from th
people, ia federal taxes, thirteen times III
whole amount Of the legal tender note
and squandered foui times this sum in us.
less expense, without accommodating any e.
serve tor their redemption. We denOnnc
the financial imbeeility and immortality
that party which, during eleven years
. peace. has made no advance toward +.
deinption; no preparation for resumption
but, Instead, has obstrueted resumption b
wasting our resources and eNhausting a
our surplus income. and while annual
protesting 10 intend a speedy return I
specie payment, has annually enacted fires