The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-07-13
Democratic Platform.

We publish on the extra accompanying this
ssue of the VIRGINIAN the platform adopted
AZ ST. Louis by the Democratic National Con-
vention. We do this to give our readers the
privilege Of reading and preserving it, as 4 Gu
riosty of contradictions, deceptons and false
pretenses. We have not the space nor time
this week, to enter into Il thorough dissection
of this master ;iece OF anagonisms, suited, it
is true, to the ticket placed upon it, 1t de-
clares no defined governmental principle,
enunciates no rule of governmental action. but
is constituted OF reckless assertion llimsy
rhetoric. and blazing fasel,oods Affirming
faith in the permanency ofthe Union, notwiti-
standing the efforts of the Democratic party to
destroy it, and acceptance of the amend
mcnts to the Constitution, it qualities the dec
laration by sentence that bellies the profess
sion, viz: ON the equality of all citizens be-
fore just laws of their o,rn enactment." Which
would simply mean, in the Southern States,
that the amendments TO the Constitution would
prove a dead letter. 1t is substantially re-
assertion of the doctrine of State Rights, in
direct conflict with the principle OF nationality
established in tie amendments 1t denounces
the failure to resume specie payment, and de-
mands the repeal of the only legislation that
has been enacted designed to secure specie
payment. 1t compares the expenditures of
the government between 1860 and 1875. and
leaves out the six hundred millions Of war
debt paid in the last ten years and forgcts to
| allude to the three billion, eight hundred mil
lion dollars debt created to preserve the Union
and defeat the policy of disunion auouratcd
ana defended by the democratic party. 1t
| clamors for reform" through every lint, and is
represented by 4 candidate for the Presidency.
who has been associated with more railroad
rings, than any other man now living-tlle
ally OF Tweed, and a pillar in Tammany, du-
| ring the huge robberes perpetrated by Tweed
the associate in business of Jim Fisk, jaw
Gould and VIM. NJ Tweed, the sharer of their
specalations and the participation in their i'll
gotten gains. 1t re-lashes the falschoods Of
the hlielng correspondents as to the oorrup-
lions OF the government, and outrages the in
telllgences OF the country by assertions that
have no foundation in fact, and are utterly de-
void Of truth.
The platform is a string of glittering gcner-
alitlcs. and transparent falsehools, gotten I'D
TO deceive. In consonancc with this purpose.
the Convention that adopted it. nominated,
candidates who differ as wide as the poles up
Oh the vital question Of administrative policy.
which covers, indeed, all others-tlat of Fl
nance. 1t presents q candidate for the Prcs-
dency who is committed to hard money and
specie resumption, and Il candidate for the
Vice Presidency, who is rs pronounced against
| specie resumption and il favor of RAG money.
with platform to be construed to suit
each policy. The history of parties and the
| history OF Conventions, do not record such
unmitigatcd shams and false pretenses as are
presented in the platform and candidates of
the Democratic party of to-day. They pre-
sent Il mass 81 inconsistencies and inconprni-
ties, which utterly preclude the idea of honest
conviction, and proclaim to the world that the
purpose is to effect ssreforna" through agencies
that are utterly devoid of moral tone and prin-
cple.
10 assume that the American people are ca
pable OF being deceived and deluded by such
prctenses and falselioods, is to attribute to
them an entlre absence OF Intelligence and pa
| trlotisin.an to proclaim the American Repub-
lie failure. The history OF the two parties is
| written upon too many pages OF American
| progress--upon too many saddened hearts
upon too many bloody battle fields, to doubt
the verdict that will be rendered on the 18th of
| November next. The Republican party pre-
sents platform, record and candidates.
which challenge tie admiration and confidence
of the country. It appeals to the higher emo
tlons OF the human heart, throhhny for the
moral and intellectual development OF the hu-
man race-devoted TO the great principle of
human rights, and struggling for the advance
ment of the ideas which signalize the Declara-
ton Of Independence. With the American
heart agIow with the fires of patriotism in this
Centennial year of American Independence, it
would be a violent presumption 10 indulge a
| doubt as to which of the two parties will be
| entrusted with the destiny OF our country for
tile next four years to come,