Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-05-01
THE PENNsYLYANIA PLATFORM.

rev pOnClCei documents or recent con-
struction are more worthy of unanimous and
hearty approval of all honorable men than
the platform of the Pennsylvania Democrcy.
1t is clear cut, emphatic and unequiyocal
upon every issue now before the public
Nothing is ignored, and no attempt is made
to disguise the sentiments of the party on
any of the questions that are likely to be
broached during the pending campaign.
Starting out with reafirmation of the
adherence of the party to the principles
avowed in the declaration of Independence
and the constitution of the United States,
the convention proceeded to declare in favor
of the maintenance of the just powers of
the federal union as well as of the States.
1t then denounces the attempt of the Repub-
lican party to subordinate the civil to the
military power, and denies the right of the
government to invade the States by mill
tary force for political purposes, such action
being calculated to overturn free institutions
and place in jeopardy the liberties of the
people. Mr.. Hayes arbitrary exercise of
the veto power to maintain this menace
of the freedom of the ballot box is properly
characterized. The opposition to subsidies
to corporations is pronounced, and the party
is placed on record as being in favor of re-
tanning the public lands and the public
moneys for legitimate goyernm entail pur-
poses rather than their distribution among
wealthy corporations.
The fraud issue does not constitute as
prominent feature of the platform as it did
at Syracuse, but it is sufficiently dwelt upon
and characterized in fit terms. The outrage
was submitted to at the time, tho resolutions
declare, sin the firm and patriotic faith that
the people would peacefully redress the great
wrong and signally rebuke the dark crime
when they should come to vote in 1880. That
issue precedes and dwarfs every other. It
imposes more sacred duty upon the people
of the Union than ever addressed the con-
sciences of a nation of freemen." Such
words cannot be misunderstood. 1t re-
mains to be seen whether the people will, in
November next, utter their rebuke as en-
phatically as they are accustomed to do by
electing the nominee opposed to the party
that perpetrated and profted by the fraud.
The platform as a whole is admirable. 1t
places the Democratic party in its proper
light before the country es being the party
representing honesty in every department. of
the government and In political action,
economy in the administration of affairs,
and the administration of matters in con-
formity to the laws and constitution of the
country. It is a proud satisfaction to the
party, also, that it has demonstrated that the
principles avewed have been carried out by
it heretofore. They are not idle promises,
bat the avowals of settled determination,
and of a policy religiously pursued
in the past. The record of this
party is enough to be proud of. Since it has
attained power in Congress it has saved the
people of the country over hundred mil
lions of dollars. By properly regulating
the revenues and expenses it has increased
the income of the government so that it has
been possible to retire large amount of
the interest bearing debt each month, the
reduction during the last two months having
amounted to nearly twenty-seyen millions of
dollars, and this, despite the endeaYors of
the Republican ofice-holders to increase the
expenses SO as to give the party reputation
for extravaganza. The Pennsylvanians have
given utterance to opinions that are an hon.
or alike to themselves and to the party they
represent. They cannot be too highly COM
mended.