St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1880-07-10
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 10 the con on
stitutional doctrines and traditions OF the
Democratic party, as Illustrated by the teach
ing and example of a long line OF Democratic
statesmen and patriots, and embodied IN the
platform OF the last national convention OF the
party.
second-Opposition to Capitalization and to
that dangerous spirit of encroachlnent which
tends to consolidate the powers OF all depart
ments in one, and thus to create whatever be
the form of government, a real despotlsm
No sunptuary laws; sepcratlon OF church itna
State for the good OF each; common schools
fostcred and protected.
Third-Home rule honest money, consisting
of e Id and silver, and paper convertible into
coin on demand; strict maintenance OF public
faith, State and national, and {; tariff for
revenue only.
Observation-Disclosures of the military to the
civil power and general and thorough reform
of the civil service.
Fiftil-The right to free ballot is a right pre-
sentative of all right, and must and shall be
maintained i'll every part of the United States.
Sixth-Thc existing administration is a rep
reScntatiye OF conspiracy only, and the claim
of right to surround the ballot boxes with
troops and deputy lnarshals to ntimidate and
obstruct electors, and the unprecedented use
of the veto to maintain its corrupt and DIES
potic power, insults the people and imperls
their institutions.
upon Il 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, i'll 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 a nation of freemen.
Eighth-We execrate the course of this ad-
mnistratlon i'll making places IN the civil ser
vice a reward for political crime, and demand
reform by statute which shall make It forever
impossible for the defeated candidate to bride
his way to the seat of the usurper by billiting
williams upon the people.
Ninth-The resolution OF Samuel j. I!lden
not again to be candidate for the exalted
place to which he was elected by majority OF
his countrymen, and from which he was ex-
cluded by the leaders OF the Republican party.
is received by the Democrats of the United
States with sensiblity, and they declare their
confidence in his WISDOM patriotism and i'll
tegrity, mistaken by the assaults of 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-citiZcllS who regard him as 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.
Tenth-Free ships and living chance for
American commerce on the seas and OH land;
no discrimination i'll favor of transportation
lines, corporations or monopolies.
Eleventh-An amendment of the Burlingame
treaty; 10 more Chinese immigration except
for travel, education and foreign commerce,
and therein carefully guarded.
Twelftlf-Public money and public credit for
public purposes solely and public land for &C.
tual settlers.
Thrteentll-The Democratic party is the
friend of labor and the laboring man, and
pledges itself to protect him alike against cor
morants and commune.
Fourteenth-We congratulate the country
upon the honesty and thrift of the Democratic
Congress, which has reduced the public ex-
peniiture s40000,000 a year; upon the continual
ton of prosperity at home and national honor
change i'll the administration of the govern
ment as shall insure us genuine and lasting
reform in every department OF the public
service.