The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1876-08-17
Platform of the National Democratic
Party.


10 party of the Unitod States, in ma
tional convention assembled, do hore
deolare tho administration of the Fed.
eraI government to bo in urgent need
OF immediate reform; do hereby enjon
upon the nominees of this convention
and of the Democratic party in each
State, n jealous effort and Corpora
tion to this ond, and do hereby appeal
to our fellow citizons of every former
political connection to undertake with
us this first and most pressing patriot
10 duty for the Democracy of tho
whole country. Wo do hore reaffirm
our faith in the pormanoncy of the
Federal Union, our devotion to the
constitution OF tho united Statos, with
its amendments universally accepted,
rs final settlement of tho controvor~
sizes that ongendorod civil war, and do
here record our stcadfast confidence in
tho perpotuty Of Republican self gov>
ornmont; in absolute acquiosocnco in
tho will of tho majority, tho vital prin-
ciplo of the republic; in tho supremacy
of the civil ovor the military authori-
ty; in tho total separation of church
and State, for tho sako alillo Of civil
and religious freedom; in tho equality
of all citizons before just laws of their
OVID enactment, in tho liberty of indi>
vidual conduct, unvcXod by sumptuary
laws; in tho faithful education of the
rising generation, that thcy may prc>
servo, enjoy and transmit thcso bost
conditions of human happiness and
hopo. We bohold tho noblcst pro
ducts of hundred years of changoful
history, but, whilo upholding tho bond
of our Union and great charter of
those our rights, it bchoovos froo
pcopo to practice also that eternal
vigilance which is tho price of liborty.
Reform IS necessary to rebuild and
establish in the hcarts OF tho whole
people the Union clcvon years ago
happily rescued from tho danger of q
corrupt ccntralism, which, after infict-
ing upon ten States tho rapacity of
carpet bag tyrannics, has hcnoycomb-
cd the Offices Of tho Federal govern
ment itsolf with incapacity, waste and
fraud; infected States and muncipal-
itics with tho contagion of misrulc,
and locked fast tho prosperity of an
industrious people in tho paralysis Of
hard times. Reform is necessary to
establish a sound currency, restore the
public credit and maintain tho na>
tional honor. We denonnco tho fail
uro of all these eleven years to mako
good tho promise of tho legal tender
notos which arc q changing standard
of value in tho hands Of the people,
and the non payment of which is q
disregard of tho plightod faith OF tho
nation, We donounce tho improvi-
dence which in oleven years of peacc
has taken from the people in Federal
taXes thirtcon times the whole
amount OF tho legal tondor notes, and
squandercd four times this sum in
useless oxponse, without tho accumu-
lation Of any reserve for thoir rcdcmp-
zion. We denounco tho financial im-
becility and immortality Of that party
which during tho elcvon years ofpoaco
has mado no advance towards rcsump.
tion; that, instead, has obstructed re-
sumption by wasting our resources
and oxhausting all our surplus income
and, while annually protesting to in
tond speedy return to spooio pays
monts, has annually enacted fresh
hindrances thereto, as such q him
dranco we dcnounco the resumption
clause of tho Act of 1875, and wo
here demand its repeal. Wo demand
judicious system of preparation by
public econimics, by official retronch-
ments, and by wiso finance, which
shall onablo tho nation to assure the
whole world of its perfect ability and
it's perfect readiness 10 meet any of it's
promises at the call of tho creditor on
titled to payment. We believe such
asystom we'll devised; and, above all en-
trusted to competent hands for cxocu>
ton, creating At no time an artificial
security Of currency, and at no time
alarming tho public mind into
withdrawal of that vastcr ma
chinery of credit by which ninety five
por cent. of all business transactions
arc performed; n system open, public
and inspiring general confidence,
would, from tho day of its adoption,
bring healing on its wings to ali our
harrassod industry, and set in motion
the wheels Of commerce, manufactur>
cs and tho mechanical arts; restore
employment to labor, and ronow, i'm
all its national source, the prosperity
OF the people Reform is necessary
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