The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1876-09-14
Platform of the National Democratic
Party.

we, the d0legateS OF tho OemoofaG-
10 party of tho Unitod States, in ma
tional convention assembled, do hore
declare tho administration of the Fed
oral government to be in urgent neod
of Immediate reform; do hereby onjoin
upon tho nominees of this convention
and of the Democratic party In each
State, a jealous effort and Corpora
tion to this ond, and do hereby appeal
to our follow citizons of overy former
political connection to undertake with
us this FIRST and most pressing patriot.
10 duty for tho Democracy of tho
whole country. We do hore reafirm
our faith in the permanency of tho
Federal Union, our devotion to tho
constitution OF the united States, with
it's amendments universally accepted,
as @ final settlement of the controyer-
sios that engendered civil war, and do
hore record our stoadfast confidence in
the perpotuity Of Republican self gov>
ernmont; in absolute acquiescenco in
the will of the majority, the vital prin,
ciplo of tho republic; in tho supremacy
of tho civil ovor tho military authori-
ty; in tho total separation of church
and State, for tho sake alike of civil
and religious freedom; in tho equality
Of oil citizens before just laws Of thcir
OVID enactment, in tho liberty of indi>
vidual conduct, unvoxod by sumptuary
laws; in the faithful education of tho
rising generation, that thoy may pro-
serve, enjoy and transmit these best
conditions OF human happiness and
hope. We behold the noblest pro-
ducts Of hundred years of changoful
history, but. whIo upholding tho bond
OF on" Uuj,u and great charter of
these our rights, It Nchoovcs free
people TO practice also that otornal
vigilance which ~ I've price of liberty.
Rot0vn Is nrcraSury to rcbuild and
CstaAI in Tive hcHrts OF the whole
poop!r the Union ojovon years ago
hopYh rescued from tho danger of q
cOrruI OCoutvaii-m, which, aftor inhict-
ing upon ton States the rapacity of
ca pot bag tyrannire, has hcneycomb-
od the Offices OF tho Federal govern
E&nt 'tsolt with incapacity, waste and
ft".ud; infected States and muncipal~
tiles with tho c0ntUGion of misrule,
and locked fast tho prosperity of an
industrious poopio in the paralysis Of
hard times. Reform is necessary to
establish sound currency, restore tho
public credit and maintain the na>
tional honor. We donouuce the full.
uro of all these eleven years to mako
good tho promise of the legal tender
notes which arc o changing standard
of value in tho hands of tho people,
and the non payment of which is q
disregard of the plighted faith of tho
nation, We dcnodnco tho improvi-
donoe which in eleven years of peace
has taken from the pooplo in Federal
taxes thirteen times tho whole
amount of tho legal Londcr notes, and
squandered four times this sunni
useless expense. Without the accumu-
latlon ofra any reserve for their redemp.
.etTon. We denounce tho financial im~
becility and immortality Of that party
which during tho elevon years ofpoaoo
has made no advance towards resump.
tion; that, instead, has obstructed re-
sumption by wasting our resources
and exhausting all our surplus income
and, whilo annually protesting to in
tend q spoedy return to specie pay
ments, has annually enacted frosh
hindrances thereto, as such him
drance we denounco the resumption
clause Of tho Act of 1875, and wo
here demand it's repeal. We demand |
ajudicious system of preparation by |
public econimies, by official retrench~
ments, and by wise finance, which
shall enable the nation to assure tho
whole world of its perfect ability and |
its perfect readiness to meet any Of it's |
promises ut tho call of tho creditor en-
titled to payment. We believe such
asystem woIl devised; and, above all en-
trusted to competent hands for cxecu~
ton, creating al no timo an artificial
security of currency, and at no tlmo
alarming the public mind into
withdrawal of that vastor MAJ
chinery of credit by which ninety five
per cent. of all business transactions
are performed; q systcm open, public
and inspiring general confidence,
would, from the day of its adoption,
bring healing on its wings to all our
harrassod industry, and set in motion
the wheels OF commerce, manufactur~
es and tho mechanical arts; restore
employment to labor, and ronew, in
all it's national source, tho prospeutv
of the people. Reform is necessorC