Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1880-07-08
Democratic Pla.form-188O.

The Democrats in the United States in
convention assembled, declare
/. We pledge ourselves anew to the const-
tutional 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
of the party
g Opposition TO Capitalization and to that
dangerous spirit of encroachment which tends
to consolidate in one, and thus to create,
whatever the form of government, real des.
potism No sumptuary laws separation of
the State and church for the good of each,
and common schools fostered and protected
8. 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 a
tariff for revenue only. The subordinauon
of the military to the civ il power, and gen>
une and thorough reform of the civil service
The right to a free ballet is a right preserva-
tive.of all rights, and must and shall be
maintained in every part ofthe United States
The existing administration is the representa-
tive of conspiracy only, and its claim of right
to surround the ballot boxes with troops and
deputy marshals to intimidate and obstruet
the electors, and the unprecedented use of
the veto to maintain its corrupt and despotc
power insults the people aud imperils their
institutions. We execrate the course of this
Administration in making places in the civil
service reward for political crime, and de-
mand a reform by statute which shall make it
forever impossible for defeated candidate to
bribe his way to the seat of a usurper by bill
letting Williams upon the people. The great
fraud of lS7677, by which, upon false
count of the electoral votes of two states,
the candidate defeated at the polls was de,
Jared to be President, and TOR the first time
in American history the will of the people
was set aside I'm der threat of military force,
struck deadly blow at our system of repre-
sentative government. The Democratic
party, to preserve the country from the hor-
rors of civil war, submitted for the time in
the firm and patriotic faith that the people
would punish this crime in 1880. This issue
shrinks and dwarfs every other. 1t inspires
more sacred duty upon Tie people of the
Union than ever addressed the conscences
of nation of freemen. The resolution of
Samuel j. Tilien never again 10 be candi- |
date for the exalted place to which he was |
elected by ma lority of his countrymen, and |
from which he was excluded by the leaders !
of the Republican party, is received by the |
Democrats of the United States with deep |
Sen5IOliltY, ana tney declare tneIr confidence |
in his wisdom, patriotism and integrity un-
shaken by the assaults of the common enemy; |
and they further assure him that he is follow |
ed into the retirement he has chosen for him !
self by the sympathy and respect Of his |
fellow citizens, who regard him as one who, |
py elevating the standard of the public NOR |
atty, and adjoining and purifying the public
service, merits the everlasting gratitude of I
his country and his party.
4. Free ships, and a living chance for |
American commerce upon the seas ; and on
the land no discrim inalion in favor OF trans
portation of lines, corporations or monopo- /
lies the amendment of the Burlingame |
treaty, so as to permit no more immigration |
except for travel, education and foreign com
merce, and therein carefully guarded; the |
public money and the public credit for pub
lie purposes solely, and the public lands for
actual settlers. The Democratic party is
the friend of labor and the laboring man, and |
pledges itself to protect him alike against the |
cormorants and the commune. We congrat-
ulate the country upon the honesty and |
thrift of = Democratic Congress, which has
reduced the public expenditurr s40,000,000 |
a year upon the continuation u prosperity /
al home and the national honor abroad, and,
above all, upon the promise Of such change |
in the administration Of the Government as
shall insure US genuine and lasting reform in |
every department of the public service.