St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1880-10-09
PIarforn of The Democratic Party of
the United States.
The Democrats Of the United States in {

The Democrats OF the United States i'll con-
vention 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 long line of Democratic
statesmen ard patriots, aid embodied in the
platform Of the last national convention Of the
party.
Sccond-Opposition to centrailzation and TO
that dangerous spirit of encfoac!ment which
tends to consolidate the powers Of all depart
mentS in one, and thus to create, Wiate"ef De
tie form of government, u real despotisn;
No sumptuary laws; separation OF church and
State for the good OF cach; common schools
foStered and protected
Third-HOm rule: honest money, consisting
of gt id and silver, and paper convertible into
coin on demand strict maintenance OF pA',ilc
faith, State and national, ana Ii tarlH lcf
revenue only.
Observation-Disclosures Of the military to the
civil power ana general and thorough reform
OF the civil service.
Fitth-The right to free ballot is Il right pre-
servative OF all right, and must and shall be
maintained Ill every part OF the United states.
Sixth-The existing administration IS rep
resentatiye OF conspiracy only. anu the claim
of right to surround the ballot boxes With
troops and deputy nlarshals to intinlldate ana
obstruct electors, and the unprecedented use
of the veto to maintain its corrupt and deS-
pOtc power, insults the people and lmperils
their institutions.
seventh-The great fraud of 1S7G-77 by which,
tlpon 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 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 tirIi ana patriotic fith
that the people would punish this crime i'll
1880. This issue precedes and dWarfs every
other. 1t imposes Il more sacred duty upon
the people of the Union than ever addressed
the conscience OF a nation OF freenlen.
Eiphill-Wp cX6crate The course OF TINS .Q-
mnistratlon in making places III tie civil ser
vice 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 llsurper by billitinS
Williams upon the people.
Nith-frle resolution of Samuel ]. Tilden
not again to be a candidate for the exalted
place to which he was elected by majority of
his cOrntrymen, and from which he was eX-
cluded by the leaders Of the Republican party
il received by the Democrats OF the United
States with sensibility, and they declare their
confidence ill his wisdom, patriotism and i'll
te@rity, mistaken by the assaults of Il 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
fellow-citizens, who regard him as Ono 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.
Tenth-Free ships and living chance for
American commerce on the seas and on land !;
no discrimination in favor of transportation
lines, corporations or monopoiies.
Elevcnth-An amendment OF the Burlngame
treaty. no more Chinese immigration except
for travel, education and foreign commerce,
and therein carefully guarded.
Twelftll-Publc 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 iaboriDS man, and
pledges itself to protect him alike against cor
morants and comniunc.
Fourteenti!-We congratulate the country
upon the honesty and thrift OF the Democratic
Congress, which has reduced the public eX-
pcndture s4a,0o0,0oO IA year; upon tie continue
ton of prosperity at home and national honor
abroad, and above all upon the promise OF such
change in the administration CT the govern
ment rs shall insure us genuine and lasting
reform in every department OF the public
service