The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-08-02

1t is complained in one of the Repub-
can organs i'll this corner of the State
that the Democratic Convention of
Ohio, in its PLATFORM, did not at all ad-
dress itself to the problem precipitatetl
by the strikes. The Republican Con-
vention will assemble next week, and
we shall see low frankly, how bluntiy,
it treats the veXed question. 1t is not
the purpose of the Democratic PARTY in
any Ststte- -t+,-+-%el<- .si..s-
men to mob violence. We are seeking
to obtain through the laws what some
maddened and riOtouS men are eude;lv-
Oring to obtain through lawlessiess.
The laws are peaceful channels. We
are striving to make them also the
paths of justice. We are making effort
TO persuade the Government to assist,
in so far rs is proper, in bettering the
condition of the poor man, of the la
bOrer, of the working classes. The
Democratic party is not melting mobs,
nor will it be driven away from its
characteristic and historic sympathy
with the people. We have said that
behind the mobs, and the riots, and the
depression of wages and the diminu-
ton of profits which seemed to make
the reduction of wages necessary, and
behind the destruction of property and
life there is a cause of which the en-
plOyer and the hired are in most eases
innocent. There are causes i'll opera
ton, and which have been in operation
for some years, that leave capital with
out dividends, and labor without re-
ward. But We see men, enraged by
the thought of hungry wives and chill
dren, striving to beat back want with
clubs, and brickbats, and stones. We
see the protest against a great wrong
t1LxlnO tho Chana nf tha wrath pf "a
mob, and we have gaZed on lhe corpses
of men and women and children, and
on ashes that were lately millions of
property, the results of The causes be-
hind the murder and the coEiiagration
and the violence, behind the commands
of the employer and the protests OF the
employ ed there is an underlying cause
for which neither capital nor labor is
responsible, and for which neither the
employed nor the employer should be
held altogether accountable. The DEM
OcratIc party addressed itself TO the
cause. The Ohio Democrats did not
encourage labOring men to violence
and outrage, and may thereby have
disappointed their enemies. They did
not encourage capital to further oppress
labor, and they did not advise labor to
mob capital, and put the torch to the
results of the generations of toll. The
Democratic party of Ohio plainly de-
clared-nOt SO tersely as it might have
that which had produced this state of
things, and its opinion about the rem
edy. 1t is not because we live in Il
land where nature is unkind. No
where else does she scatter her houn-
ties more plentifully. 1t is not because
our people are indOlent by nature. No
people is less SO.
Among the rocks of New England
and amid the unavailing charms of II
southern home, the American energy
has been conspicuous. Asit is neither
God nor the laZiness of men that pro-
duces this disastrous condition, it must
be the policy of the Government I'M
der which we have been recently liv-
ing The Willingness to work is con-
siderable in this country. 1t Is the
Governmental policy that is guilty of
these crimes. The Democratic party
of this State addressed itself, not Of
fensively, but plainly and directly To
this cause. 1t is the policy of the par
ty in power that is beneath the trouble.
The Democrats of Ohio say 50 in the
following plankS in their platform
-. The destruction of the industry
of the country and the pauperism of
labor are the inevitable fruits of vicious
laws enacted by the Republican party.
"3. That as Il means of relieving the
distressed portions of the community
and removing the great stringency
complained OF in business circles, we
demand the Immediate repeal of the
Resumption Act.
II. That we denounce rs an outrage
upon the rights of the people the en-
actment of the Republican measure
silver, and demand the
passage of u law which shall restore to
silver its monetary power.
"5. That we favor the retention of
greenback currency as the best paper
money we have ever had, and declare
against any further contraction"
The cause is named and the remedy
is recommended Enquirer.