The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-06-05
The Democracy Of Pennsylvania

We are like the late John Van Buren,
in our belief, that the falling out of
Democrats is even as the collision of
cats, it is the beginning ofheavy Dem
ocratic gains. The following platform
Of the Pennsylvania Democracy, now
entering into an important canvass,
makes us feel in the winning mood:
The Democracy of Pennsylvania
unanimously declare that the Republi-
can Party, its measures and its men
are responsible for the financial dis
tress, the misery and wanl that now
exist. 1t has had control of the legis-
lation of the country, and has enacted
and perpetuated policy that has en-
ricbed the few and impoverished the
many. It's system of finance has been
one of favOrs to monied monopoly, of
unequal taxation, of exemption of
classes of high rates of interest and of
remorseless contraction, which has de-
stroyed every enterprise that gave en-
ployment to labor. Its present hold
upon Federal power was 80 cured by
fraud, perjury and forgery. Its laws
are unjust and its practices are i'm
moral. They distress the people and
destroy their substance.
The only remedy for these evils is in
an entire change of policy and the de-
thronement of those in power, and We
resolve that further contraction of the
volume Of United States legal tender
notes is unwise and unnecessary
They should be received for customs
duties and reissued as fast as received,
Gold, silver and United States legal
tender notes at par therewitl. are just
bases for paper circulation. A close
connection of the Federal Government
with the business interests Of the peo-
pie through the national banks tends
to monopoly and Capitalization, but in
changing the system, uniformity OF
notes, security of the note-holders and
protection of the capital Invested
shouldzabe psovided for. Treasury
notes issued in exchange for bonds
bearing a low rate of interest ia the
best form in which the credit of the
Government can be given to paper
currency @
Labor and capital have equal de-
mands upon and equal responsibilities
to the law. Commerce and manufac.
lures should be encouraged, so that
steady employment and fair wages
may be yielded to labor, whilst safety
Of Investment and moderate return fol
it's use belong to capital. Violences OF
breaches Of order in support of the
real or supposed rights ofeither should
be promptly suppressed by the strong
8 arm of the law. @ ava
The Republican party by its legisla
lation in 1872, which reduced the tar
if upon bituninous coal from ~
to rs cents per ton, and upon iron
, steel, wool, metals, paper, glass, leatli
err aud all manufactures of each of then
: 10 per cent, struck fatal blow at tn
!, industries and labor Of Pennsylvania
The public lands are the common
property of the people, and they shoult
mol be sold to SPECTATORS for granted
7 to railroad or other corporations, bu
he preserved as l,0nlesteads for actua
settlers.
Our public debt should he held a
l home and the bonds representing j
r ought to be Of small denominations, il
which the savings of the masses ma.
be safely invested.
f. Thorough investigation into the cleo
:, torai frauds of 1876 should be made
: fraud should be exposed, truth vindi
Gated, and criminals punished; but W
= oppose any attack upon the Presiden
t tial title, as dangerous to our institu
d tons aud fruitless in it's results.
n The Republican party controllin
the legislation of the State has refuse
y to execute many of the reforms Of tn
). new constitution. Among othe
: things it has neglected and refused t
J, compel the acceptance of all of its pre-
d visions by the corporations of tn
b State: to prevent undue and uureason
= able determinations in charges fo
transportation of freight and passen
g gers and without abatement or draw
70 back to any; to give to all equal NEAR
for transporting the raw material {
d the State in such manner and to sue
IS points as they may prefer, and to put
n lish in good faith monthly statemen
of where the money of the people WI
i. kept. ys
y The Republican party creates ne
4 offices and adds enormous perquisit'
# to others, and fills them with favorit'
IN whose chief duty is to manage its p
litical machinery. Its administratie
, of the State govern ment grows mo-
,e expensive with each years of it's rul
IN Legislation has been directed by R
II publican lobbyists, who in turn m
% nipulate and control the nomination
of the Republican party, and its cand
;, J,xo, -, &bo craof;on NJ. a iunfo NH n