St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1880-10-23
Platform of the Democratic Party Of
the United States.

The Democrats of the United States in con-
yention assembled declare:
First-We pledge ourselves anew to the con-
stitutional doctrines and traditions Of the
Democratic party, as illustrated by the teach
ing and example of d long line OF Democratic
statesmen and patriots. and embodied in the
platform of the last national convention OF the
party.
that dangerous spirit OF encroachment which
tends to consolidate the powers of all depart
ments i'll one, and thus to create, Whatever ne
the form of government, a real Gcspotlsm
No sumptuary laws separation OF church and
State for the good of each; common schools
fostered and protected
Thrd-Home rule: honest money, consisting
of &c Id and silver, and paper convertible into
| coin on demand strict maintenance OF public
faith, State and national, and tariff for
revenue only.
Fuurth-Subordinatlo of the military to the
civil power and general and thorough reform
of the civil service.
Fitth-The right to free ballot is right pre-
servative of all right, and must and shall be
maintained in every part of the United States.
Sixth-The existing administration Is rep
rssentative OF conspiracy only; and the ca lam
troops and deputy marshals to intimidatc and
obstruct electors, and the unprecedented use
of the veto to maintain its corrupt and des-
potc power, insults the people and imperiis
their institutions.
Seventh-Thc great fraud of 1S7G-77 by which.
| upon a false count of the electoral votes Of two
States, the candidate defeated at the polls was
declared to be President, and for the first time
| in American history the will of the people was
set aside under the threat of military violence,
struck a deadly blow at our system of repre-
sentative government. The Democratic party,
to preserve the country from civil war, submit
ted for the time, in the firm and patriotic faith
that the people would punish this crime i'll
1880. This issue precedes and dwarfs every
other. 1t imposes a more sacred duty upon
the people Of the Union than ever addressed
the conscience Of nation OF frccmen.
Fiph
ADMINISTRATION in making places III the civil ser
vice q reward for political crime, and demand
reform by statute which shall make 1t forever
impossible for the defeated candidate to bride
his way to the seat OF the usurper by blllitlng
Williams upon the people.
Ninth-The resolution OF Samuel }. ridden
not again to be candidate for the exalted
place to which he was elected by majority OF
his countrymcn, and from which he was ex-
cluded by the leaders OF tile Republican party,
is received by the Democrats of the United
States with sensibity, and they declare their
confidence in his wisdom, patriotism and in
tegrity, mistaken by the assaults of a common
enemy and they further assure him that he Is
| followed into the retirement he has chosen for
himself with the sympathy and respect OF his
ellow-citizens, who regard him one who, by
elevating the standards OF public morality and
| adjoining and purifying the public service,
| merits the lasting gratitude of his country and
his party.
Tentl-Free ships and Il living chance for
American commerce on the seas and on land
no discrimination i'll favor of transportation
| lines, corporations mOnOpOlies.
Elcventh-An amendment OF the Burlingamc
| treaty; no more Chinese immigration except
| for travel, education and foreign commerce,
and therein carefully guarded.
| Twelfth-Public money and public credit for
public purposes solely and public land for ac-
| tual settlers.
| Thirteenth-The Democratic party is the
| friend of labor and the labOrnS man, and
pledges itself to protect him alike against cor
| mor;ints and commune.
FOurteentll--We congratulate the country
| upon the honesty and thrift Of the Democratic
| Congress, which has reduced the public ex-
penditure $4,000 600 year; upon the continue
| ton of prosperity at home and national honor
| abroad, and above all upon the promise of such
change in the administration of the govern
ment as shall insure genuine and lasting
| reform in every department of the public
| service.