The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1876-11-02
Platform Of the National Democratic
~. Party,

.
10 party of the United States, in ma
tional convention assembled, do here
declare the administration of the Fed
oral government to be in urgent need
OF immediate reform; do hereby enjoin
upon the nominees of this convention
and of tho Democratic party in each
State, q Jealous effort and co-opera-
zion 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 patriot
10 duty for the Democracy of the
whole country. We do here reaffirm
our faith in the permanency Of the
Federal Union, our devotion to the
constitution OF tho united States, with
its amendments universally accepted,
as q final settlement of the controver-
sizes that engendered civil war, and do
here record oul steadfast confidence in
the perpotuity Of Republican self gov-
ernment; in absolute acquieecence in
tho will Of the majority, the vital prin
cipIo of the republic; in tho supremacy
of tho civil over the military authori-
ty; in tho total separation of church
and State, for the saIo alike Of civil
and religious freedom; in the equality
of all citizens before just laws OF their
OVID enactment, in the liberty of indi-
viduai conduct, unvexed by sumptuary
laws; in the faithful education of the
rising generation, that thoy may pre-
serve, enjoy and transmit these best
conditions OF human happiness and
hope. We behold the noblest pro-
ducts of a hundred years of changotul
history, but, whilc uphoIding the bond
of our Union and great charter of
these our rights, it behooves free
people TO practice also that eternal
vigilance which is the price of liberty.
Reform Is necessary to rebuild and
establish in the hearts of tho whole
people the Union eleven years ago
happily rescued from tho danger of q
corrupt centralsm, which, after infict-
ing upon ten States the rapacity of
carpet bag tyrannics, has hcneycomb-
ed The offices of the Federal govern
F,nt itself with incapacity, waste and
fraud; infected States and munic,pul-
tiles with the contagion of misrulo,
and locked fast the prosperity Of an
industrious people in the paralysis Of
hard times. Reform ia necessary to
establish a sound currency, restore tho
public credit and maintain tho na~
tional honor. We denounce the fail.
ure of all these eleven years to make
good the promise of the loyal tonder
notes which are a changing standard
Of value in the hands of tho people,
and the non payment of which .iar~6
disregard Or tts h idift6 Of tho
nation, We donounco the improve
dence 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
squandered four times t"is sum in
useless expense. without the accumu-
latlon OF any reserve for their redemp.
tion. We denounce tho financial im-
becility and immortality Of that party
which during tho eleven years ofpeace
has made no advance towards resump.
ton; that, instead, has Obstructed re-
sumption by wasting our resources
and exhausting all our surplus income
and, while annually protesting to in
tend speedy eturn to specie puy>
ments, has annually enacted fresh
hlndrances thereto, as such hin
drance we denOunce the resumption
clause of tho Act of 1875, and wo
here demand it's repeal. We demand
IL judicious system or preparation by
public econimes, by official rctrench-
ments, and by wise finance, which
shall enable the nation to assure the
whole world of its perfect ability and
its perfect readiness 10 meet any of its
promises ut the call OF the creditor en-
titled to payment. We believe such
n system we'll devised; and, above all en-
trusted TO competent hands for execu>
ton, creating at no timo an artificial
security OF currency, and at no time
alarming the public mind into IL
withdrawal ot that vustar ma
chinery of credit by which ninety five
per cent. OF all business transactions
arc performed; system open, public
and inspiring general confidence,
would, from the day OF it's adoption,
bring healing on its wings to ali our
harrassed industry, and set in motion
the wheels of commerce. maDufactur~
es and the mechanical arts; restore
employment TO labor, and renew, in
all it's national source, the prosperity
OF the people. Reform is necessary