The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-08-07
CAMPAIGN OF 1879.
Democratic Platform.

Peso1oed, That the Democracy OF Ohio de
mand FREQ and fair elections, and to that end
dcnounce all interference with elections by the
military power; that the experience of this and
other countries has abundantly proved that the
presence of troops at the polls is destructive Oi
freedom Of elections. and is incompatible with
the existence Of free Institutions; that the laws
enacted by Congress, which, under the pretense
of regulating the manner Of Congressional
elections interfere with the election Of State
officers and overthrow the laws OF the States
governing the choice OF such officers. are un.
constitutional, and for that reason ought to be
repealed; that they are also instrumentalities
Of fraud. force and corruption. by which the
party in power uses the money Of the
people to corrupt, and thousands OF ir-
responsible officers to harrass and coerce the
voters. and especially by force and fraud to de-
prive our naturalized citizens OF the right to
vote, and for these reasons, also said laws ought
to be Immediately repealed.
ResoIced, That impartial Juries are essential
to the administration Of Justice, and thereby
to the preservation OF liberty. That no man
can be secure in his person or property when
the juries are packed and controlled by the
Government for dcspotic and partisan purposes.
That under the Federal Jury laws now in exist
ence. juries may be and have been packed
and controlled. and the highest interests of
justice and Tree government require that these
and independent juries in the Federal Courts.
Resoired, That the Republican minority in
Congress. by refusing to vote supplies to main
tain the Government unless the majority would
agree to the use Of troops at the polls, and also
to the maintenance Of the unconstitutional,
cOrrupting, viololent and unjust Election laws
aforesaid and the President of the United
States by the unprecedented use OF the veto
power. in order to perpetuate said laws and the
use of armed men at the polls. have shown q
spirit OF faction and devotion to party success
instead of the welfare of the country and the
preservation of Its Constitution and liberties
that demand the condemnation Of the whole
American people.
Resosced, That President Hayes. by his fire.
quent interp0sitiOn Of the veto in order to de-
feat legislation that was plainly constitutional.
that in no way interfered with the indepcnd-
ence of any other department Of the Govern
ment and had received the most mature consid-
GRAFTON Of Congress. has shown an utter disre-
gard Of the considerations and principles that
induced the insertion of the veto power in the
Constitution. and o like disregard of the wishes
and welfare of the people
ResolCed, That we declare it as the sense of
the Democracy of Ohio that not dollar should
be appropriated by Congress to pay soldiers.
Marshals. Deputy Marshals or Supervisors of
Elections to interfere with or control elections.
ResolUed. That the efforts of the Republican
party to open and keep alive the war feeling
between the North and South are to bd con-
demned by every lover of his country,
lPesozred That we reaflirm the financial prin-
ciples heretofore advocated by the Democratic
party in Ohio, that tie issue of money in any
.lAL,o
general Government alone. and ought not to be
delegated or entrusted to individuals or corpo-
ratiOns that We, therefore, oppose the perpetu
a means of control over the currency of the
country, and demand the gradual substitution
of treasury notes for national bank currency to
be made receivable for all dues and q legal ten
der equally with coin. such Government issues
to be regulated upon principles established by
legislation or organic law. SO as to secure the
greasest possible stability of value.
Resolced. That after changing the valuation
of all property from the scale Of paper money,
by which the heavy burden Of debts now rest
ing upon the people were created. to tho former
level Of gold and silver. the change then made
in the metallic standard itself by the demone.
tization Of silver was monstrous fraud upon
the people, cunningly devised in the interest OF
the holders of bonds. that should be condemned
as in violation of every principle OF honest
dealings, and q covert assault upon the funda-
mental rights Of property; and we therefore
demand the full restoration Of silver to its or
iginal place as a money metal, the same as
gold.
Resolred. That the rapid increase OF the in
terest bearing debt of the Government under
the present Administration ought to excite the
serious apprehension OF the people. We de-
mand that the further increase of the bonded
debt in time of peace be stopped and it be put in
process of extinction.
Resolred, That the attack made upon the State
Legislature in the Republican platform Is
wholly undeserved and that the I.egislaturein in
its arduous work OF codifying the laws OF the
State and the reduction of fees and salaries of
county officers. and the passage Of . law to pro-
tect the ballot and prevent bribery at elections.
deserves the commentator of the people of the
State.
Resolred, That 1t is the duty of our Govern
ment to maintain to its fullest extent the doc
trine that q man may in good faith change his
habitation and become . citizen OF any other
country. We should protect in every part Of
the world all our naturalized citizens as we
would opr native born. and should resist all inn
proper claims upon them by Governments to
which they no longer owe allegiance We de-
mand that existing treaties with all foreign
Governments be rigidly enforced, and that ear
ly steps be taken to obtain from the German
Empire a fuller recognition of the rights Of ex-
patriation and of the right Of our natur Allied
citizens returning. or having property there,
by modification OF the treaty existing be-
twAan s-s