River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-08-30
PENNSYLVANIA DEMOCRACY.
TIE Harrisburg Convention and the
Platform Adopren.

The Pennsylvania Democratic Conven
ton met al Harrisburg, on the 22nd, and or
ganized by choosing Jacob Siegler chairman.
The committee on resolutions reported the
following, which were adopted unanimously:
The Democratic party Of Pennsylvania and
its delegates, in convention assembled, SO de-
clare:
First-That the induction Of Rutherford h.
HAYES into the Office of President nOtwith-
standing the election of Samuel J. Tilden
thereto, was high crime against free govern
ment which has not been cOndOned, and Will
not be forgotten. The same spirit Of patriot
ism which forbore TO contest upon the first
ofiense, will resist and punish any attempt at
a second.
second-That the immediate happy effect Of
the application by the federal administration
Of the Democratic policy Of non-interyention
in internal affairs Of the Southern States, am
ply yindcates our frequent protests against
previous violations of the reserved right Of
the several States To exercise all power not
delegated TO the general government by ex-
press constitutional provisions.
Third-That the purpose TO reform the civ
il service which has been proclaimed by the
present administration is like its adopted
Southern policy, confession of the failure of
radicalism, and just tribute to the Demo-
cracy, which long and earnestly demanded the
overthrow and punishment Of corrupt officials.
Fourth-That capital. combined with incor-
ate organization, had been too highly favored
by both state and federal legislation, and its
demands for large returns are inconsistent
with the depressed condition of the laboring
and business interests of the country. We
oppose further enactments for its special
benefit at the expense of other interests. La
Dor and capital hould have no cause of antag
onism, and they should be left free to adjust
their own relations. The right To contract
freely, exists for both parties.
Fifth-That we accept the admonltlon OF
jackson concerning standing armies. They
are dangerous to free governments In time OF
peace. We shall not seek to enlarge our pres
ent establishment nor disregard the salutary
lesson of political experience which teaches
that the military should be held subordir ate
to the civil power. Accordingly, the Increase
of the federal army, and any attempt to en-
ploy II as a partisan agent of federal author
ity or for Interference with the sovereign
rights of states, receive the continued earn
est opposition of the Democracy of Pennsyl-
yania; that the deprivation of employment OF
many thousands Of industrious citizens and
laborers and the deep distress of themselves
and families enlist our hearty sympathy, and
we declare in the language of Jefferson, the
founder of our party, that wise and frugal
government which shall restrain men from in
juring one another, and shall leave them
otherwise free 10 emulate their own pursuits
of industry and improvement, and shall not
take from the mouth of labor the bread il has
and their security in prosperity; and that
under such government, which it is the mis-
sion of the Democracy to maintain and per-
petuate, and resort to force or violation OF
law, or invasion Of the rights of person or
property to redress grievance, is needless and
at war with free institutions under which the
only rightful remedy is by frequently seeur-
ing elections of the representatives of the
people in State legislatures and federal con-
gress to accomplish the will of the majority,
which should be accepted as the voice of all.
SiXth-Ihat many OF our rich men have not
been content with equal protection and equal
benefits, but have besought us 10 make them
rich by acts of congress. And by attempting
10 crafty their desires, We have, in the results
ofour legislation, arrayed seetiOnaginst section,
interest against interest man against man, in
fearful commotion; and, therefore, the grant by
the legislatures of States, or by congress, of
exclusive privileges, and the establishment of
odious monopolies under preteXt of public
benefit or of justice TO certain sections of the
country are a direct assault upon the equal
rights of the people: and as these monopolies
have been contriyed TO enrich few, whilst a
vast number of people are reduced TO want,
the Democracy of Pennsylvania protest against
subsidies, land grants, loans of public credit
and appropriations of the peoples money to
any corporation legaliZed plumber of the
tax-paying industries Of the country.
Seventh-That we look with alarm and ap-
prehension upon the pretensiOns of the great
transportation companies TO be above the fun
damental law of this commonwealth, which
governs all else within its borders, and until
they acc pit the constitution of 1913 in good
faith, they should remain objects of the ut
most vigilance and jealousy by both the leg
islatures and the people.
ReSoiCcd, That we hereby reaffirm and
adopt the financial resolutions of the national
Democratic platform adopted at St. Louis, in
1876.
John Turnkey, Of Eenango county, was
nominated for supreme Judge, on the fourth
ballot.