Mexico weekly ledger., 1880-07-22
THE LATFDRM
Republican and National.

1t is quite common to regard polit-
ical platforms as of little Importance,
but it would not be wise in such as
wish to comprehend the issues of the
impending campaign TO act thus with
those that have been lately construct
ed at Chicago and Cincinnati. No
three statements could better exhibit
the spirit that pervades the parties
that enunciated them, Or place IN
stronger contrast the aims of Repub-
licans, Democrats and Nationals.
The Republican platform renews its
old sectional issues, favors monopoly
and consolidation and opposes reduc-
ton of duties and taxes. In theirs
the Democracy avouch their purpose
to relieve tax payers, protect labor
and advance industry /; but the plat
form of the Nationals is confined al
most exclusively to demands for class
legislation.
There are a few propositions In
each of the platforms referred to that
are common to the whole of them
but that of the Democracy more COM
pletciy than either of the other two
antagonizes what is opposed to it.
The Republicans object to its free
ships, its tariff for revenue, and its
demand for coin redemption of bank
paper, and the Nationals take decided
issue with Its propositions to coniine
expenditure of public money to pub
lie objects. The Republicans would
levy lakes to protect manufacturers.
and the Nationals out of the public
evenu and through irredeemable
fiat issued under pretense of employ
ing and benefitting labor, would
equalize the soldiers pay and thereby
secure their votes.
One of the chief merits of the DEM
ocratic platform is its straight for
ward and manly methods. 1t strikes
openly and directly at monopolies
and abuses of all sorts, AM makes ut
the same time a vigorous assertion of
its intention to protect labor against
both the Cormorants and the Com
mune. On this account the advo-
Gates of neither like it. How could
they? Both aim to draw support
from taxpayers and labor ers, in the
future as IN the past and therefore
the friends of the one prefer the
Republican and those of the other the
National platform. The Democratic
deliverance is devoid of the brag and
buster that pervadt that of the Re-
%publicans, and gives no uncertain
sound like that of the Nationals, capa-
bic of being perverted and twisted
into varying and conflicting interpre-
tations. Although the Democracy
controlled the proceedings of Con-
gress and gave direction to its fiscal
and financial legislation, it sets up no
preposterous and amusing claim to
having blessed the country with time
ly rains and abundant harvests, 0 to
having created a favorable balance
in trade. Neither is the platform
filed with clap-trap concerning
Hayes administration and the evils
of a solid South or North, Or of Sec
tartan education, or IN regard to po-
ligamy Or Chinese emigration, all Of
which grew up under Republican
nissrule. But it>demands boldly the
preservation of civil and religious
liberty, the protection of labor, the
separation of Church and State for
the good of each, and the fostering
of common schools. And besides
what has been stated it unhesitatingly
affirms that the right to free elections
and a free ballot is preservative of all
rights and ought therefore to be
maintained ayervwberc