The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-08-01
THE DEMOCRATIC
PLATFORM.
Official Text as Reported by the
Committee.
Adopted at 81. louis. June 2s. 1876.

We, the delegates of the democratic
party OF the United states, in national con-
Nention assembled, do hereby declare the
administration of the federal government
10 be IN urgent Deed OF immediate reform:
do hereby enjoin upon the nominees of this
convention, and OF the democratic party in
each state, Jealous effort and co opera
ton TO this end, and do hereby appeal 10
our ielioW-cltlzens OF every former political
connection 10 undertake with us thi. first
an most pressing patriotic duty.
THE UNION, THE CONSTITUTION, REPUBLi-
CAN sELF-GONERNMENT.
For the democracy of the whole country.
we do hereby reafhrm our faith ia the per.
manence of the federal union; our devotion
TO the constitution of the United States.
with its amendments universally accepted
as the final settlement of the controversies
that engendered civil war. and do here re-
cord our stcadiast confidence in the perpe.
tuitY OF republican selt-government.
THE FIRST CENTURY.
In absolute acquiescence in the will of
the msiOrity-the vital principle OF repub-
lies; IN the supremacy of the civil over the
military authority, in tie total separation of
church and state, for the sake alike OF civil
and religious freedom; in the equality OF
al citizens before lust laws of their own en-.
duet, unveXed by sumptuary laws; in the
faithful education OF the rising generation,
that they may preserve, enjoy and transmit
these best conditions Of human happiness.
and hope we behold the noblest products of
hundred years OF changeful history; but
while unfolding the bond OF our union and
great charter OF these great rights, /: be-
hooyes "A free people To practice also that
eternal vigilance which Is the price OF
liberty.
EEFoRM-CoRRUPTIO
Reform is necessary TO build and establish
in the hearts OF the whole people the union.
eleven years ago happily rescued from the
danger OF secession OF states but now to
be saved from corrupt centralism, viii eli,
after inilicting upon ten states the rapacitv
OF Carpet-bag tyrannies, has honey.combed
the Offices OF the federal goyernme ut itself
with incapacity, waste and fraud; infecte d
States and municipalities with the cOnta-
slon OF mlsrule, and locked fast the pros
perlty oil an industrious people in the pa
ralysls OF hard times.
Reform OF THE CURRENCY-SpFCIr
PAYMENTS.
HJuHi Is necessary to establish q sound
currency, restore the public credit and
maintain the national honor. We tenounce
The failure for all these eleven wear, IA
make good the promise OF the legal tender
notes, which are Il changing standard OF
value IN the hands OF the people, and the
non payment OF which il a di-rs gard OF The
phghted faith Of the nation.
We denounee the improyidence which in
eleven years Of peace has taken from ,be
| people, la federal taxes, thirteen time. liz
whole amount OF the legal tender notes
and squandered toui times this sum in use,
lees expense, without accommodating any re.
serve Tor their redemption. We denoimce
the financial imbecility and immortality n,
that party which. during eleven years Of
/ peace. mas made no advance toward re.
but, instead, has obstrueted resumpIion hy
wasting our resources and exhau,tp0 III
| our surplus income, and while Annually
protesting TO intend u speedy return 10
| specie pay menl, has annually enacted fresh