The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-07-10
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

The Democrats of the United States .in
convention assembled, declares
First, We pledge ourselves anew to the
constitutional doctrines and traditions If the
Democratic party, as Illustrated by the teach
ing and example ola long line OF Democratic
statesmen and patriots and embodied in the
platform Of the last National Convention Of
the party.
Second. Opposition 70 Capitalization and
to that dangerous spirit Of eneroachment
which tends 10 consolidate the powers OF all
the departments IN one, aud thus % ereatc,
whatever be the form Of goyernment, a real
despousm. No samptuary laws; separation
of church and State for The good Of each;
common schools fostered and protected
Third. Home rule honest money-the
strict maintenance Of the public iaith--con
sistiug Of gold and silver aud paper convert.
Bile into coin on demand the strict mainie
nance Of the public faith, State and national,
and tagiH for revenue only.
Fourth. The subordinalioa OF the military
% the civil power and ageneral and thorough
reform Of the civil service.
Fifth. The right TO a free ballot is the right
preservatiye Of all rights aud must aud shalt
be maintained in every part Of the United
States.
Sixth. The existing administration is the
representative OF conspiracy only, and its
claim of right to surround the ballot-boxes
with troops and deputy marshals to in,imidata
and obstruct the electors, and the unprece.
dehted use Of the veto TO maintain its corrapt
and despotic power insults the people and i'm
perils their institutions.
Seventh. The great fraud Of ls7677, By
which, upon false count Of the electoral
votes OF two states, the candidate defeated al
the polls was declared TO be President, and
for the first time in American history the will
OF the people was set aside under threat OF
military violence, struck a deadly blow at our
system of representative government. The
Democratic party, to preserve the cohnlry
from the horrors Of civil war. submitted
for the time in firm and patriotic faith that
the people would punish this crime in 1880.
This issue precedes and dwarS every other.
II imposes more sacred duty upon the peo-
pie OF the union than ever addressed the CON
science of nation Of treemen
Eighth. We execrate the COURSE Of this ad
ministratiou in making places in the civil
service a reward for political crime, and de-
mand reform by statute which shall make it
forever impossible for the defeated candidate
to bride his way to the seat Of nsurper By
hilleting villains upoa the people This was
was read again in response to demands and
was received with applause.
Ninth. The resolution Of Samuel J. Tildon
not again to be candidate for the exalted
place 10 which he was elected BY majority
OF his eountrymen, 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 de-
clare their confidence in bis wisdom, patriot
ism and integrity mistaken by the assaults of
o common enemy, and they further assure
him that be is followed into the retirement be
has chosen for himself By the sympathy and
respect of his fellow. citizens, who regard him
as one who, by eleya,ing the standards OF
public morality and adjoining and purifying
the public service, merits the lasting graft.
tnde of his country and his party.
Tenth. Free ships and living chance for
American commerce on the seas and on the
land. No discrimination in favor Of trans
portation lines, corporations or monopolies
Eleventh. Amendment OF the Barliugame
treaty. Nomore migration, except
for travel, education and foreign commerce,
and therein carefully guarded.
Twelfth. Public money and public credit for
public purposes solely and public land for act
ual settlers.
Thirteenth The Democratic party is the
friend of labor and the labasiug man, and
pledges itself 10 protect him alike against the
eormorants and the commune.
Fourteenth. We congratulate the country
upon the honesty and thrift Of Democratic
Congress which has reduced the public ex.
penditures $40, 100000 year; upon the con
tuuation Of prosperity at home and the ma
iional honor abroad, and above all upon the
promise ofsuch change in the administration
Of the government as shall insure us genuine
aud lasting reform in every department Of
the public service