Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-07-02
DEMOCRACY.
THE PLATFORM AND THE men

We give below the platform which gives
the principles on which the Democracy OF
the United States propose to administer
its affairs for the next four years, ana
sketches of the two men who are to be the
head of the government. Lot young and
old Democrats read them:
THE PLATFORM.
Mr.. Watterson, from the committee on
resolutions, reported the platform, as fol-
lows:
The Democrats of the United States in
convention assembled declare:
First.-We pledge ourselves anew to the
constitutional doctrine and traditions OF
the Democratic party as illustrated by the
teaching and example of q long line OF
Democratic statesmen and patriots. and
embodied in the platform Of the last ma
tiOnal convention vt the party.
Second. Opposition to Capitalization
ism and to that dangerous spirit Ut Gu
croachment which tends to consolidate tht
powers Of all the departments in one and
thus to create, whatever De the form Of
government, real despOtism; no. sump-
tuary laws; separation OF church aud staff
for tue good of each; common schools f0s-
tered and protected.
Third.-Home rule; honest mOney-the
strict maintenance OF the public faith
consisting Of gold and silver, and paper
convertible into coin on demand; the
strict maintenance Of the public faith,
State and National, and tariff for revenue
only.
Foprth.-The subordinati0n of the mill
tary to the civil power, and q general and
thorough reform of the civil service.
Fifth.-The right to free ballot is the
right preventative of all rights, and must
and shall be maintained In every part of
the United States.
Sixth existing administration is
the representative of conspiracy only, and
its claim of right to surround the ballot
boxes with troops and deputy marshals to
intimidate and Ob6truct the electors, and
the unprecedented use of the veto to main
tain its corrupt and despotic power, in
suits the people and imperlls their institu-
tiOnS.
Seventh.-The great fraud OF 1S76-77 by
which, upon false count Of the electoral
votes of two States, the candidate defeat
ed at the polls was declared to be PreSi-
dent, and for the first time in American
history the will of the people was set aside
under threat of military violence, struck
8 deadly blow at our system of represen-
tative government. The Democratic party,
l w III OoCl w U1O SOu0t1 AxOM tu0 uOIlOI0
of civil war. submitted for the time in
firm and patriotic faith that the people
would punish this crime IN 1880. This is
sue precedes and dwarfs every other. It
imposes more sacred duty upon the people
of the Union than ever addressed the con-
science of q nation Vt freemen.
Eighth.-We execrate the course of this
administration in making places in the
civil service b reward for political crimes,
and demand reform by statute which
shall make it forever impossible for the
defeated candidate to bride his way to the
seat of usurper by billetiny villains upon
the people.
Ninth.-The resolution of Samuel J.
Tilden not again to be candidate for the
exalted place to which he was elected by q
majority Of his cUuntrymen, and from
| which he was excluded by the leaders of
the Republican party, is received by the
Democrats of the United States with sensi-
bility, 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 followed into the retirement he has
chosen for himself by the sympathy and
respect of his fellow citizens, who regard
dards Of public morality and adjoining and
purifying the public service, merits the
lasting gratitude 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 transportation lines. corporations or
monopOlies.
Eleventh. of the Burlin-
game treaty. No more Chinese immigra-
ton except for travel, education and for
eign commerce, and therein carefully guar
ded.
Twelfth.-Public money and public
credit for public purposes solely, and pub
lie land for actual settlers.
Thirteenth. Democratic party is
the friend of labor and the labOring man,
and pledges itself to protect him alike
against the cOrmOrantS and the commune.
Fourteenth congratulate the coun-
try upon the honesty and thrift of Dem
ocratic Congress, which has reduced the
public expenditures $40, 100000 year;
upon the continuation Of prosperity at
home and the national honorabroad, and.
above all, upon the .promise Of such a
change in the administration of the gov
eminent as shall insure US genuine and
lasting reform in every department of the
public service.
SKETCH OF GEN. HANCOcK's LIFE.
Winfield Scott Hancock was born In
Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, Feb
uary IA, 1924, and is therefore fifty-six
years of age. His mothers father was a
Revolutionary soldier, and was captured
at sea and confined in the Dartmoor pris-
Oh, England. His great-grandfather on
his mother 8 side was also a soldier under
Washington and rendered good service,
died at the close of the Revolution from ex-
rovrra nd hQ r6ohipc ondu1ro6 in fho fold
Hapcnck's father served in the war of
1872, and afterwards became q lawyer If
distinction in Montgomery county, Pa.
At the age of sixteen Hancock was sent
to West Point and had for classmates u.
s. Grant, George B. Mcclellan, J., F. Rey-
nolds, J, l., Reno, Burnside, Franklin and
W. F. Smith. He graduated in 1874, June
80, apd in 1856 served with his regiment
in the Indian Territory as a second lieu
tenant of the Sixth Infantry. In 1S47 we
find him in Mexico, and conspicuous for
gallantry at the National Bridge. San An
tonic, Contreras, Cherubusco. Moline del
Rey, and the capture Of the City of Mexi-
CO. He was hreyeted for gallantry at the
battles of C0ntreras and Cherubusco. In
1849 and in 1850 he served with his regiment
as quarterMaSter and adjqtant, and In the
fall of 1850 was married at St. Louis to
Miss Almira Russell, the daughter of a
prominent merchant of that city. He took
part in several Indian campaigns IN the
West, and in 1857 was engaged in the
Southern Florida war. He served in the
expedition against Utah, and in 1859 went
to California.
He took high ground in favor of the.
Union and did much in 1861 to check the
secession spirit then seizing upon Califor-
mia. He applied to Governor Curtin of
Pennsylvania, for commission in the
volunteers, but the Governor being slow
in replying to his application, he obtained
a leave of absence and came East. His
earnestness impressed Gen. Scott, who Or
dered him to report to Gen. Mcclellan and
on the formal recommendation of McClel-
Ian, President Lincoln. on the 22d of Sep