Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-06-29
National Democratic Platform.


was unanimously adopted by the Ma
tiopal Democratic Convention in Gin
cinnati that nominated Gen. Winfield
Scott Hancock, of Pennsylvania, for
President, and Hon. William H. Eng
llsh, of Indiana, for Vice President:
The Democrats of the United States in
Convention Assembled Declare
First. We pledge ourselves anew to
the constitutional doctrines and tradi-
tions of the Democratic faFty rs inns
trated by teaching and example of a
long line of Democratic statesmen and
patriots, and embodied in the platform
of the last National Convention of the
party.
ism and to that dangerous spirit of en-
croachment which tends to consolidate
the powers of all the departments in
one, and thus to create, whatever be the
form of government, real despotism |;
no sumptuary laws; separation of
Church and State for the good of each !;
common schools fostered and protect
ed.
Third. Home rule henest money,
consisting of gold and silver and paper
maintenance of public faith, State and
national, and tariff for revenue only.
Fourth. Subordination of military
to civil poYer, and general and thorough
reform Of civil service.
Fifth. The right to free ballot is the
right preventative of all rights, apd
must and shall be maintained in every
part of the United States.
Sixth. The existing administration
is the representative of conspiracy only,
and its claim of the right to surround
ballot-boxes with troops and deputy
marsha]s to intimidate and obstruct
elsotipps, and the unprecedented use of
potic power, insults tie people AID i'm
peril their institutions.
Seventh. The great fraud of 1876 and
1877, by which upon o false count of the
electoral votes of two States the candi-
date defeated at the polls was declared
to be President, and for the first time
in American history the will of the peo-
pie was set aside under threat of mill
tary VIOLENCE, struck q deadly blow at
our system Of Fsprasantattve governs
mept. The pemocFatic party, TO pre-
serve the country from civil war, sub
mitted foF the time in the firm and pa
triotic faith that the people would pun
ish this crime in 1856. This Issue pre-
cedes and dwarfs every other. It i'm
poses more sacred duty upon the peo-
pie of the Union than ever addressed the
conscience of q nation of freemen.
Eighth. We execrate the course Of
this Administration in making places
in the civil service reward for politi
cal crime, and demand 2 reform y stat
ute which shall make it forever fmpos-
sible for a defeated candidate to bribe
his ysy to the seat of nsurper by billet
ing villains Hpoi the people.
This was read again IN response to
demands, and was received With ap
Ninth. The resolution of Samuel J.
Tilden not agaip to be 2 candlaatP for
the exalted PLACE to Which he vas
and from which he was excluded by the
leaders of the Republican party, is re-
ceived by the Democrats of the United
States with sensibility, and they declare
their confidence in his wisdom, patriot
ism, and integrity mistaken by the as
sauits of common enemy, and they
further asspfe him that he is foll9YeA
himself by the sympathy and respect of
his felloW-citizens, who regard him as
one who, hy elevating the standards of
public morality and adjoining and puFi-
fying the public service, merits the
lasting gratitude of his country and his
party.
Tenth Free ships ard a living
change for American commerce on seas
and on land no Discrimination in favor
of transportation lines, corporations, or
monopolies.
Eleventh. The amendment of the
Burlingame treaty; no more Chinese
immigration, except for travel, educa-
ton, and foreign commerce, and therein
carefully guarded.
Twelfth. The public money and pub.
lie credit for public purposes solely, and
public lands for actual settlers,
Thirteenth. The Hemocratie party ia
the friend of labor and of the la6oring
man, and pledges itself to protect him
alike against cormorants and the coma
mune.
Fourteenth. We congratulate the
upon the honesty and thrift Of
the Democratic Congress, which has re
duced the public expenditure $40, 000, 600
a year; upon the continuation of pros
perity at home and national honor
abroad; above all, upon q promise OF
such change in the administration of
the Government as shall insure rs .
and lasting reform in every de-
partment of the nnblic service.