Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-04-11
DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS.
The Latest Declaration Of Principles
and Purposes.

Democratic caucus was held immedi
ately after adjournment to-day, for the
purpose of taking some action which
would permit the introduction and
consideration Of certain financial
measures during the present session.
Representative House presided, and
Wills and Covert acted as secretaries.
Representative Kenna submitted the
following resolution, which was unani-
mously adopted
Resolved, That it is the judgment
OF this caucus that this house should
not adjourn over Monday next, but
that there should be session on that
day for the introduction of all bills in
the usual manner, and the placing of
important legislation in the line of
progress without unnecessary delay.
Representative Stephens then offered
the following resolution, with the re-
quest that it be read and laid on the
table for action Of future caucus.
Resolved, That the aims and objects
OF the Democracy of the United
States, as far as we, chosen by them,
members Of the present house of rep
resentatives, are entitled to be consid-
cred as the true exponents of those
aims and objects, are directed with
slngleness of purpose to the restora-
ton Of peace, harmony and prosperity
throughout the length and breadth of
the land. They abjure the renewal of
sectional strife. They accept all
legitimate results of the late lamented
war. They are utterly opposed to a
revival in this country, or any part
thereof, of American slavery, or any
other kind of slavery or involuntary
seryitude, except as punishment for
crime. They stand pledged to main
tain the Union of the States under
the constitution, with its existing
amendments as they shall be ex-
pounded by the Supreme Court
of the United States. They are against
all unconstitutional or revolutionary
modes. They are for law and order.
for the protection of life and liberty
and property without respect of per-
sons or social conditions, and for the
redress of all grievances. They look
alone to the peaceful instrumentality
of the constitution first, in the law
making power second, in the law
expounding power; third, in the law
executing power, and finally in the
ultimate sovereign power oftbe ballot.
They are for free ballot, as we'll as
for fair and just count, while they
are opposed to large standing army
as were the trainers of the constitu-
ton; yet they are for keppinAan army
sufficiently large to repel invasion, to
defend our extensive frontier, as we'll
as the necessary interior forts and
garrisons, and to enable the President
TO put down domestic violence or in
surrection in any part Of the States.
and in aid of civil officers as posse
comitatus in the execution of legal
processes, in pursuance of the con
stltution, and as provided in the acts
Of congress of 1895 and 1909 But
they are utterly opposed to the use of
the military forces of the United
States in controlling or in any way in
terfering with the freemdom of elec
tions. They are for the maintenance
of the public credit inviolate, but are
utterly opposed to any increase of the
bonded debt, unless the exigencies ofl
war should render it necessary. They |
are for the retrenchment of expcndi- |
lures, lessening the burdens of taxa
tion, and a thorough reform in the
present unequal method of raising
revenue. They are for placing the
coinage Of gold and silver upon the
same footing, without restriction or
Limitation upon the amount of either.
They are for reviving the languishinc
and perishing industries of the coun-
try by an increase in the volume of
currency, founded on a sound basis
sufficient to meet the urgent demands
OF trade in every department of labor
and business.
Without transacting any further
business the caucus adjourned.