The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1876-09-21
Platform Of the National Democratic
Party.

top1rty OF the, United tStates, in n1-
tional convention assembled, do hore
declare the administration of the Fed
erRl government to be in urgent need
ofimmediate reform; do hereby enjoin
upon the nominees of this convention
and of the Democratic party in each
State, a jealous effort and Corpora.
zion to this end, and do hereby appeal
to our fellow citizens of every former
political connection to undertake with
AS this first and most pressing patriot
10 duty for the Democracy of the
whole country. We do hore reaffirm
our faith in the permanency of the
Federal Union, our devotion to the
constitution OF the united States, with
its amendments universally accepted,
as n final settlement of the controvor-
sies that engendered civil war, and do
here record oul steadfast confidence in
the perpotuity Of Republican self gov~
ernment; in absolute acquieScenee in
the will of the majority, the vital prin-
ciple of the republic; in tho supremacy
of the civil over the military authori-
ty; in the total separation of church
and State, for the sake alike of civil
and religious freedom; in the equality
Of oil citizens before just laws Of thoir
OVID enactment, in tho liberty of indi>
vidual conduct, unvcxod by sumptuary
laws; in the faithful education of the
rising generation, that thoy may pro-
serve, enj Joy and transmit these bost
conditions of human happiness and
hope. Wo behold tho noblest pro-
ducts of hundred years of changcful
history, but, whilo upholding the bond
of our Union and great charter OF
these our rights, it bchooves1 n FREQ
people to practice also that eternal
vigilance which is the price of liberty.
Reform Is necessary to rebuild and
establish in the hearts Of the whole
peoplo the Union eleven years ago
happily rescued from tho danger of q
corrupt eontralism, which, after infict-
ing upon ten States tho rapacity of
carpet bag tyrannies, has hcneycomb-
yJathS offices Of the Federal govern
ment itself with incapaoity, waste and
fraud; infected States and muncipal-
tiles with the contagion Of misrulc,
and locked fast the prosperity of an
industrious people iii the paralysis Of
hard times. Reform is necessary to
establish a sound currency, restore the
public credit and maintain tho na>
tional honor. We donoupce the fail
ure of all these eleven years to mako
good tho, promise of the legal tender
notes which arc n changing standard
Of value in the hands Of the people,
and tho non payment Of which is q
disregard of the pIighted faith of tho
nation, We donounce the improvi-
dence which in olevon years of peace
has taken from the people in Federal
taxes thirteen Times tho whole
amount of the legal Lendcr notes, and
squandered four times this sum in
useless expense, without the accumu-
lation Of any reserve for thoir 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-
tion; that, instead, has obstructed re-
sumption by. ii wasting our resources
and eXhausting all our surplus income
and, while annually protesting TO in
tend q speedy return to specie pay
menta, has annually enacted fresh
hindrancos thereto, as such a him
drance we denounce the resumption
clause of tho Act of 1875, and we
here demand its repeal. We demand
a judicious system OF preparation by
public econimics, by official retrenoh-
ments, and by wise finance, which
shall enable. the nation to. assure tho
Whole world of its perfect ability and
it's perfect readiness 10 meet any of it's
promises at tho call Of tho creditor en-
titled to payment. We believe such
system we'll devised; and, above all en-
trusted to competent hands for execu>
tion, creating at no timo an artificial
security OF currency, and at no time
alarming the public mind into
withdrawal of that ;vaster MAJ
chinery of credit by which ninety five
per cent. OF all business transactions
are performed; system open, public
and inspiring general confidence,
would, from the day of its adoption,
bring healing on itswings to all our
harrassed Industry, and set in motion
the wheels OF commerce, manufactur.
es and the mechanical arts: restore
employment to labor, and renow. inr
all it's national source, tho prosncutv
of the people. Reform is necossorv
SSNt hno o,,vN IN