The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-07-22

above quotation, and in suppoi ting
Garfield will have to stultify them.
selves and swallow a very upsavory
dish of crow.
The Democratic Platform.
from the New York Herald
Whatever may be said against the
Democratic platform, it cannot be de
MED that it is an honest and business
like document. and in this respect it
is very unlike the Dragging and blus-
tering Republican platform. There
are, undoubtedly, great many voters
to whom the Democratic propositions
will be unwelcome voters who do
not like free ships; voters who are
opposed to tariff for revenue; voters
who want more subsidies, aud who
will, therefore, dislike the Democratic
declaration that the taxes shall be spent
only for public and not for private
objects. But it is the great merit of
the Democratic platform that it says.
something; that it proposes reforms
to which those who have benefited by
old abuses will of course object, but
WulCu Will anu oChClit tliO PCO-
pie !; that it courageously strikes at
monOpolists. subsidy mongers and
jobbers. Naturally, monopOlists, job
bers and bsidy moDgers do not like
il but then it was scarcely to be ex-
pected that they would. These class
es, who wish to live on the tax payers
as they have long done, prefer the Re-
publican platform, and they are right.
lo&r Co hoo Snov
tasteful to them. Where the Republi-
to encourage monopoly, they cautious
ly said nothing, and their platform
leaves the door open to all the abuses,
the extravaganza and reckless waste
of the taxes which characterized Re-
publican legislation before the people
put the Democrats in control, of the
House of Representatives.
1t is often said that platforms mean
nothing; but. in the present instance,
it happens that the national platforms
represent pretty accurately the spirit
of the two parties. The republican
platform looks backward, the demo-
cratic platform looks ahead. The re-
publican platform deals in and ap-
peals to old and mischievous sectional
issues the democratic platform, tho
not perfect, is yet thoroughly nation
al and not sectional in it's spirit. The
republican platform favors or encour-
ages monopolics the democratic plat
form favors the taxpayers-the peo-
pie,
We have spoken of the democratic
platform as an honest and business
like document, and one proof OF this
Is that though much shorter than that
of the republicans ii contains all that is
good and pertinent in that and great
deal more besides. The republicans
in cumbrous paragraph speak for
free education, and in another equal
ly cumberous and verbose, for sepa-
ration of Church and State. The dem
Ocrats cover the same ground i'll one
energetic and clear sentence, demand
ing separation of Church and State
for the good of each and common
schools fostered and protected" The
republicans talk vaguely Of protecting
the liberties of all ;the democrats bold
ly declare that "the right of free
ballot is the right preseryatiye of all
rights, and must and shall be main
tanned in every part of the United
States" We haye looked for some
other points for comparison, but the
republican platform does not afford
them. 1t is weak, shallow, wOrdy,
purposely vague, aud would make the
fathers of the party blush with anger
if they could read it in their graves !;
for these men-the Summers, Andrews,
Giddings, Lovejoys-were not accus-
toned to the mincing gait and eau
tious verbosity of their successors.
The republicans declare that " COM
merce should be steadily encouraged"
which may mean anything or nothing;
the democrats declare manfully for
g free ships and living chance for
American commerce on the seas and
on the land" which means something
definite. The Republicans say timidly
that " the credit acquired should never
be impaired;" the democrats declare
for s" honest money and the strict
of the public faith, State
and national" which covers the whole
ground without hesitation or timidity.
The republicans say in one section
that "the reviving industries should
be further promoted" and in another,
lower down, that "the duties levied
for the purpose of revenue should so
as to favor American ls-
bor," which may mean anything, and |
was evidently written in the hope that !
It might catch in one. net the proiee-t
tionists of Pennsylvania and the free
trade farmers of Illinois and the North
West generally. 1t holds out shad-
,wy promise to both. The democrats
leclare for "a tariff for revenue only;
public money and public credit for
public purposes solely" and the party
pledges itself to protect the work
ngman alike against the cormorants
md the commune" There is the clear
ing of honest purpose in these words,
Vhich may alarm monopoilsts, but
will reassure Legitimate enterprise and
lonest labor everywhere. Even on
he wretohed Chinese question, where Il
10Th platforms are. in our opinion,
'ad and un- American, the republicans {
lalt and shuttle, while the democrats II
re outspoken. Mr.. Facing both ways,
vho was evidently the author of the
epubliean platform. tells John China
nan that he must gO-but he tells him
vith a snivel; he puts his arm loying-F
v around John before he stabs him;
be democrat bluntly, but definitely,
ellis him he shall not come here ex-
ept for traYel, education er foreign
which, by the way, are
be only purposes for which the Chi