The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1880-09-01
PLAT Il NJ
ADOPTED IN CONVENTION AT CINCINNATI,
JUNE "a, 1880.

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 party, as illus
trated by the teaching aud example of
Of long line Of Democratic statesmen
and patriots, and embodied in the
Platform of the last National Conven-
tion Of the party.
Second-Opposition to Capitalization
and to that dangerous spirit of en-
croaehment which tends to consolidate
the powers of all departments in one,
and thus to create, whatever be the
form of government, real despotism.
No sumptuary laws; separation of
church aud State for the good Of each !;
common schools fostered and protected.
Third-Home rule; honest money,
consisting of gold and silver, and paper
convertible into coin on demand; strict
maintenance of public faith, State and
National, and a tariff for revenue only.
Observation-Disclosures of the mill
tary to the civil power and general and
thorough reform of the civil service.
Fifth--The right to free ballot is a
right preservative of all right, and
must and shall be maintained in every
part of the United States.
Sixth--Ths existing administration
10 q representative of conspiracy only,
and tho claim of right to surround the
ballot boxes with troops and deputy
marshals to intimidate and obstruct
electors, and the unprecedented use of
the veto to maintain its corrupt and
despotic power, insults tue people aud
imperils their institutions.
Seventh-The great fraud of 1876 II
by which, upon false count of the
electoral votes of two States, the can
didate defeated at the polls was de-
clared to be President, aud 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 ofrepreseu-
tative government. The Democratic
party, to preserve the country from
civil war, submitted for the time, in
the firm aud patriotic faith that the
people would punish this crime in 1880.
This issue precedes and dgarfs every
other. It imposes more sacred duty
upon the people of the Union than ev-
or addressed the conscience of 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 reform by stat
ute which shall make it forever impos-
sible for the defeated candidate to
bride his way. to the seat of the
usurper by billiting Williams apon the
people.
Niutti--The resolution of Samuel j.
Tilden not again to be candidate for
the exalted place to which he was
elected by a majority Of his country
men, and from which he WAS excluded
by the leaders of the Republican party,
is received BY the Democrats of the
United States with sensibility, and
they declare their confidence in his
wisdom, patriotism and integrity, I'M
shaken by the assaults OF common
enemy; and they further assure him
that he is foliowed into the retirement
he has chosen for himself with the
sympathy and respect of his fellow
who regard him as one who,
By sleVating the standards Of pnblic
and adoruing aud purifyingl
the public service, merits the lasting
gratitude of his country and his party.
Tenth - Free ships and q living
chance for American commerce on the
seas and on the land; no discrimina- ,
Jon in favor of transportation lines,
or mohopolies.
Eleventh -A An amendment Of the
Burlingame treaty, no mole Chinese
except for travel, ednca.
ion and foreign commerce., and there )
N carefully guarded.
Twelfth-Pubiic money aud public
,redit for public purposes solely; and C
public land for actual settlers.
Thirteenth-The Democratic party
q the friend of labor and the laboring
nan. and pledges itself to protect him !:
like against cormorants and COM !;
aune. !:
Fourteenth - We congratulate the
ountry upon the honesty and thrift of
he Democratic Congress, which has
educed the public expenditure $40,.
00, 900 year; upon the continuation
+ prosperity at home and national
onor abroad, and above all upon the 4
romise of such change in the admin.
,tration of the government as shall
insure us genuine aud lasting reform
q every department Of the public ser
ice. T.
The great principles Of American
hertz still are the laagful Inheritance ofI