The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-07-30
A FREE BALLOT.
Platform of the Democracy of Penn
Su1NaTIa

| SylVanla.
! Resolred, That the Democrats in convention
assembled renew our views of fidelity To the
fundamental principles proclaimed and prac-
ticed by the iliustrious, who settled our free
| Institutions and founded the Democratic party
| To protect and preserve them.
That the just powers OF the Federal Union,
| the rights OF States and liberties of the people
| are vital parts of one harmonious system, and
/ To save the lie OF the nation.
| That the Democratic party maintains as il
| ever has maintained that the military are
| and ought TO be in all things subordinate to
| the civil authorities. 1t denies the right OF
the Federal Administration to keep on foot at
the general expense standing army to invade
States for political purposes without regard to
Constitutional restrictions, to control people at
the polls, to protect and encourage fraudulent
courts or votes, or to lnaugurate candidates
rejected by the majority.
That the right to a free ballot is the right
preseryative of all rights; the only means
peacefully of redressing grievances and re
forming abuses. The presence at the polls of
a regular military force and OF host OF hire
ling officials, claiming power TO arrest and
imprison citizens without warrant or hearing,
DESTROYS all freedom of election and upturns
the very foundation OF self-government. We
call on all good citizens to aid us in preserv-
ing our institutions from destruction by these
imperial methods OF supervising the rights of
suffrage aud coercing the popular will, in
keeping away from the ballot-box, open and
free as it TO fathers, in removing the
army to a safe distance when the people as
semble to express their sovereign pleasure,
and in securing obedience to their Will when
legally expressed by their votes.
That Rutherford B. Hayes having been
placed in power against the well-known and
legally expressed will OF the people, Is repre-
sentative of a conspiracy only, and his claim
OF right to surround baIlot-boxcs with troops
and deputy marshals To intimidaie electors,
and his unprecedented use OF the veto to main
tain his unconstitutional and de.potic power
are an insult and menace to the country.
That the Democratic party, as OF old, favors
a constitutional currency OF gold and silver
and Of paper convertible into coin
That we are opposed 10 the systems OF sub
sides by the General Government under
which, during the period OF Republican as
tendency, political rings and corporations
prohted at the peoples expense, and 10 any
appropriation OF public moneys or public
credit TO any other object than public service.
The reforms and economies enforced by the
Democratic party since its advent to power in
the lower House Of Congress have saved the
people many millions OF dollars, and we be-
lieye that a like result would follow its re
storation to power in the State Of Pennsylya-
MIA
That the Democratic party being the natural
friend Of the working man, and having
throughout its history stood by him IN all
expressions, renews its expression OF sympa-
thy Tor honest labor and its promise OF pro-
lection to Its rights.