The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1878-03-06
plntforu, or the NalIonal Parly.

Democratic press of this State. The
men who formed this platform ought
not to hesitate to work and vote
with the Democratic party. The
platform is as follows;
Whereas, Throughout our entire
country the value Of real estate is
deprecated, industry paralyzed,
trade depressed, business, incomes
and wages reduced, unparalleled
distress inflicted upon the poorer
and middle ranks Of our people, the
land filed with fraud, embeazlement
bankruptcy, crime, suffering, pau
perism and starvation; and.
Whereas, This state of things has
been brought about by legislation
in the interest of and dictated by
money! lenders, bankers, and bond
holders; and.
Whereas, While we recognize the
fact that men in Congress connected
with both the old political parties
have stood up manfully for the rights
of the people, and met the threats of
the money. power and the ridicule' OF
an ignorant and subsidized press;
vet, neither the Republican nor the
Democratic party in their National
r,.elitios propose remedies for the ex-
listing evils: and.
Whereas, The Independent Green
back party, and other associations
more or less effective, have been un-
able hitherto to make a formidable
opposition to the old party organiza-
ton; and. q,
Whereas, The limiting of the legal
tender quality of greenbacks, the
changing of currency bonds into
coin bonds, the demonstration OF the
silver dollar, the excepting of bonds
from taxation, the contraction of the
circulating medium, the proposed
forced resumption of specie pay
ments, and the prodigal waste OF the
public lands, were crimes against
the people, and as far as possible the
results Of these criminal acts must
be counteracted by judicious legisla-
tion. Therefore we assemble in
National Convention and make a
declaration of our principles, and
invite all patriotic citizens to unite
in an effort to secure financial re-
form and industrial emancipation.
The organization shall be known as
the "National party" and under
this name we will perfect, without
delay. National, State and Local
Associations, to secure the election
to office of such men only as Will
pledge Themselves to do all in their
power to establish these principles,
l. 1t is the exclusive function OF
the General Government to coin and
create money and regulate its value;
all bank issues designed to circulate
as money should be suppressed; the
circulating medium, whether of met
al or paper, shall be issued by the
Government and made full legal
tender for all debts, duties and taxes
in the United States at its stamped
value.
2. There shall be no privileged
class of creditors; official salaries,
pensions, bonds and all other debts
md affiliations. public and private,
shall be discharged in the legal-ten,
der money of the United States,
strictly according to the stipulations
of the laws under which they were
contracted.
8. That the coinage of silver be
placed on the same footing as that Of
gold.
4, Congress shall provide said
money adequate to the full employ
ment of labor, the equitable distribn-
ton of its products, and the require
ments of business, fixing minimum
amount per capita to the population
as near as may be, and otherwise
regulating its value by wise and
equitable provisions of law, so that
the rate of interest will secure TO Ia
Dor its just reward.
5. 1t is inconsistent with the ge-
MUS and spirit of popular Govern
ment that any species of private
property should be exempt from
bearing its just share of the public
burdens; Government bonds and
money should be taxed precisely as
other property, and a graduated in
come tax should be levied for the
support of Government and the pay.
ment of its debts.
6. Tho public lands are the com.
mon property of the whole, and
should not be sold to SPECTATORS nor
granted to railroads or other corpo.
rations, but should be donated to
actual settlers in limited quantities.
7. The Government should by gen
eral enactments encourage the dc.
veloyment of our agricultural, min.
eral, mechanical, manufacturing and
commercial resources to the end that
labor may be fully and profitably
employed, but no monopolies should
be legalized.
s. All useless offices should be
abolished; the most rigid economy