The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1876-07-07

We, the delegates OF the Democrat
ic party Of the United States, in Ma.
tional Convention assembled, do here
by declare the administration Of the
Federal Government 10 be in urgent
need Of immediate reform, and do
hereby enjoin upon the nominees ot
this convention and Of the Democrat
ic party in each State jealous effort
and cooperation to this end, and do
hereby appeal to our iellow-citizens Of
every former political connection, to
undertake with US this first and most
pressing patriotic duty. For the De
mocracy Of the whole country we do
here reafiirm our faith in the perma-
nence Of the Federal Union, and our
devotion 10 the Constitution Of the
United States, with its amendments,
universally accepted as a final settle.
ment of the controversies that engen.
dered civil war, and do here record
our steadfast confidence IN the perpe-
tuity Of Republican self-government.
In a resolute acquiescence in the will
of the majority, the vital principle Of
republics, in the supremacy of the
civil over the military authority, in
the total separation Of church and
State, for the sake alike Of civil aud
religious freedom, in the equality OF
all citizens before just laws of their
own enactment, in the liberty Of indi-
vidual conduct unvexed by sumptuary
laws, in the faithful education Of the
rising generation, that they may pre-
serve, enjoy, aud transmit these best
conditions Of human happiness and
hope, we behold the noblest products
Of a hundred years Of changeful his
tory. But while upholding the bond
OF our Union and the great charter Of
these our rights, it behooves free
people 10 practice also, that eternal
vigilance which is the price If liberty.
Reform is necessary to rebuild and e.
tablish in the hearts of the whole pco-
pie the Union eleven years ago happi.
ly rescued from the danger OF a cor
rupt centralism which, after inflicting
upon ten States the rapacity Of car
pctbag tyrannles, has honeycombed
the Offices OF the Federal Government
itself with incapacity, waste, and
fraud, infected States and municipal
ties wllh the eontagion oil mlsrule'and
locked last the prosperity OF an IN,
du'tflous people IN 'he paralysis OF
haru time''. -,
Reform Is necessary 10 establish
sound currency and restore the p1oiic
credit and MAINTAIN the national non,
or. we denounce the nature Tor al
these eleven years 10 make good .he
promise OF the iegai'tender notes.
which are changing standard oil val
ne IN 'he haids OF 'he people, ana 'he
non,Paymeht oi whlch Is disregard
OF the plighted iaith OF the na'ion'
We denounce the improvidence which,
IN eleven years OF peace, has takeu
from the people III Federal taxes, thir-
teen times the whole amount OF the
legal tender notes. and squandered
four times this sum in useless expense,
without accumulatlng any revenue for
their redemption. We denounce the
financial imbeciilty and immortality oil
that party which, during eleven years
OF peace, has made no advance to-
ward resumption, and no preparation
for resumption' but Instead, has OBJ
structed resumption by wasting our
revenues and cxhaustlng all our sur
plus income, aud while annually pro-
Tossing to intend specify return TO
specie payments, has annually enacted
fresh hindrances thereto. AS such a
hindranee we denoun"e the resumption
clause OF the act Of 1879, and We here
demand it, repeal. We demand
Judlcious system OF preparation b1y
public economies, by Official retrench-
ments, and by wise financial manage
ment. which shall enable the naii1n
soon to assure the whole world OF It's
perfect abili'y' anu It's perfect reaai'
ness to meet any OF It's promises at the
call OF the creditor enu'ied 70 pay
mcnt. we believe that such a sys-
TEN, well devised and above all en-
trusted to competent hands for execu,
tion, creating at no time an arliheial
scarcity Of currency and at no time
alarming the public mind into with,
drawal OF that yaster machinery OF
credit by which % per cent OF all bu'
siness transactions are performed.
system open. public, and inspiring
general confidence, would, from the
dav of its adODtlOn. bring healing on