The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-08-19
PLATFORM.

The Democrats OF the United States, in Con-
vention assembled, declare:
First. We pledge ourselves anew to the con-
stitutiOnal doctrines and traditions of the Dem
ocratic party as illustrated by the teachings
and example Of long line of Democratic
statesmen and patriots. and embodied in the
platform OF the last National Convention.
Second. Opposition to Capitalization and to
that dangerous spirit If incroachment which
tends to consolidate in one and thus to create
whatever the form of government a real des-
potism; no sumptuary laws; separation of
church and State tor the good of each; common
schools fostered and protected.
Third. Home rule; honest money, consisting
of gold and silver and paper convertible into
coin on demand; the strict maintenance OF the
public faith. State and national, and tariff for
revenue only.
Fourth. Tho subordination of the military
to the civil power, and genuine and thorough
reform of the civil service.
Fifth. The right of free ballot is a right
preservative Of all rights, and must and shall
be maintained in every part Of the United
States.
Sixth. The existing administration is the re-
suit of conspiracy only, and its claim of right
to surround the ballot box with troops and dep
uty marshals to intimidate and instruct the
electors. and the unprecedented use of the veto
to maintain its corrupt and despotic power, in
suits the people and impsrils their institutions
Seventh. We execrate the course Of this ad-
ministration in making places in the civil SER
vice a reward for political crime, and demand a
reform by statute which shall make it forever
impossible for defeated candidate to bribe his
way to the seat Of a usurper by blleting Williams
upon the people.
Eighth. The great fraud of '7S-7. by which,
q fsl he
States the candidate defeat d 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 q threat of military violence
struck u deadly blow to our system OF reprssenI-
ative government The Democratic party to
preserve the country from the horrors Of civil
war. submitted for the time in a firm and patri-
otic faith that the people would punish this
crime in 1881. This issue precedss and dwarfs
every other. It inspires = more sacred duty
upon the people Of the Union than ever address
ed the csnsciencss OF . nation OF frsemen
Ninth. The resolution OF Samuel J. Tilden
not again to be q candidate for the exalted place
to which he was elected by . majority OF his
cOuntrymen. and from which he was exclude Il
by the leaders OF the Republican party. is re-
ceived by the Democrats of the United States
with deep sensibility. and they declare their
confidence in his wisdom. patriotism and in
tegrity, mistaken by the assaults Of the COM
mon enemy; and they further assure him that
he is followed into the retirement he has chosen
for himself by the sympathy and respect of his
fellow-citizens. who regard him as one who. by
elevating the standard of the public morality
and adorning and purify ing the public service
merits the lasting gratitude of his country and
his party.
Tenth. Free ships and living chance for
American ships upon the seas. On the land no
discrimination in favor of transpsrt.. !. on lines
corporations or monopolies.
Eleventh. An amendment of the Burting game
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 lands for
actual settlers.
Thirteenth. The Democratic party is the
friend of labor and the laboring man, and
pledges itself to protect him alike against the
cornorants and commune.
Fourteenth. We congratulate the country
upon the honesty and thrift of Democratic
Congress. which has reduced the public expend-
iturcs 10000 .Oo0 year. upon the continuation
OF prosperity ut home and the National honor
abroad, and above all upon the promise of such
change in the administration OF the Govern
ment as insures us genuine and lasting reform
in every department of the public service.