The daily gazette., 1880-04-22
The Platform 0fthe NetO York
DegAOcracu. ui % tl4i~ =

The Democratic party OF New York
| renew their fidelity to the principles set
| forth by the National Democratic Con-
vention at st. Louis and approved by
decisive popular maorities In the Presi-
Dental election In 1915. q iH.
The victory then won was In the name
and for the sake of reform. The people
were defrauded of the fruits Of that VIC
tory by false count of the Electoral
votes. Reform throughout the Federal
administration is still an imperative
necessity. 1t yet remains for a truly
national party 10 restore the National
Government to the fraternal spirit the
constitutional principles, The frugal expen-
diture and the administrative purity OF
tine fathers of the Republic. But the
Democratic party ofNew York also de-
clare their settled contention that the
success Of that conspiracy against the peo7
pies constitutional sovereignty which,
by perjuries,, forgeries, bribes and vio-
lence, in effect disfranchised 4,300,316
voting citizens, a large majority of all,
and which by false count of the Elec-
toral votes reversed the result Of the
last Presidential election, compels the
hext TO turn upon q single commandin
issue. That issue precedes and dwarfs
every other. 1t imposes a more sacred
dut upon the people of this Union than
ever addressed the consciences Of ma
tion Of ffeemen. That duty is to vim
dicate the right of the people to elective
-lf-government. Thai is, whether this
genera alton shall condemn or SANCTION
The wrong doing of these Republican
party leaders who, four years ago, frus-
trated the peoples deliberate will and
cheated them OF their choice in the su
preme act of their sovereignty; whether
we shall preserve and transmit TO the
coming generation our own gIJrlou>
political heritage or paralyze the cause of
popular sovereignty here and throughout
the world. Despite a century of broad
ening precedents, despite the guarantees
of the Declaration Of Independence, of
every bill of rights, OF the Federal Con
stitution, and Of every State Constitution
establishing the right of the people to
govern themselves, and to change their
rulers at will, those p irty leaders, never
thele's, foisted a defeated candidate intu
The chair of the Chief Magistracy, there
to administer the government according
TO policy condemned by the people,
through ministers repudiated by the peo-
|
adettLrs, advocates and apologists-all
were straightway rewarded for their
several shares in .he conspiracy of fraud
by the foremost beneficiary OF that un-
exampled political crime. Republics
cannot shirk the care Of their own des-
TIMES. government OF the people and
Tor the people must be government by
the people.
The lawful exercise and orderly trans
fer Of the peoples power through sue
cessve administrations Of the Govern
meat prescribed by the peoples choice
is the fundamental condition of repre-
sentative Democratic Republic. Il is
the polt cal object for which constitu-
tons and laws are framed, 1t Is the
first of )pular rights i: for, besides being
the greatest Of them, it is the one with
out which the Others cannot exist. 1t
is that for Which, republic is anywhere
preferred above monarchy, where the
transfer is by hereditary succession as
an escape from nsurped magistrates
and civil wars. II Is the substance of
civil liberty. As for Democracy (the
peoples rnle) the peoples right to rule,
it Is the very breath Of iii life. This,
then, is the momentous issue, the right
OF the people to exercise and enjoy an
elective self Government without i'm
pediment by force or fraud from any
quarter, least OF all by fraud and force
ON their temporary but discarded ser
wants. Shall the conspiracy of 1875 be
sanctioned as precedent by the i'm
| punity OF its authors aud the submiss ion
Of its victims?
Its victims are the honest citizens Of
ri A.
stlgmatize that corrupting precedent, by
ln1lctlng fatal blow upon the Repub-
llcan party whose recognized and re
warded leaders were guilty Of it, is the
supreme duty of the American people.
Neglected now, IN the nature of the
case, it is lost forever. Not now to
make that crime odious, is to invite its
repetltion The polluting infamy, un-
punished d, sanctioned. must go, on dnmor-
lzing all political partit3, putting their
leadership at the mercy Of brieands. and
Injecting their healthfui contentious
with disease and. The character. the
future of this Republic are all at stake
in the next Presidential election.
The democratic party of New York
add to their condemnation of the eject
oral conspiracy of 1915 an emphatic
declaration OF their continued conf
dence in the character, ability and fitness
of that distinguished citizen of New
York who was then elected to th,
highest office in the peoples GIFT, anc
who wa, IN his own person, the objec
OF their joint attack on his party, hi,
, felloW-ctizens and the cause of fre,
government. The blow which deprive,
the country of its chosen ruler wa
AIMED not 50 much at him az at IN,
Democrat millions who stood benin,
him.
While making no instructions as I,
candidates and committing to our de |
} egates as heretofore the duty of ioipine
. in the deliberations Of the National Con
. vention, we respectfully suggest TO oul
brethren of other States that the dignit,
AID welfare Of the party and nation de.
Y mand OF them that theytake such actio n
/, as shall best present this great issue tt
the people.
Higher than all other parts dutie, I,
the solemn obligation to give to the fire.,
t voters of the land an opportunity to pas,
/ their judgment upon this monstrou
, crime against popular rights. On an,
such issue the State of New York viii
speak with no doubtful voice. The Dem
ocratic party of New York hereby rea.