The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1880-07-31
Democratic Platform.

The Democrats OF the United States II
convention assembled, declare:
First-We pledge ourselves anew to ths
constitutional doctrines and traditions Of ths
Democratic party, as illustrated by the teach
ing and example Of q long line Of Democratic
statesmen and patriots, and embodied in the
platform of the last national convention oi
the party.
Second-Opposition to centralization and
to that dangerous spirit Of encroachment
which tends TO consolidate the powers of all
departments In one, and thus to create, what
ever be the form Of government, real des-
potism no sumptuary laws; separation OF
church and State for the good Of each; com
mon schools fostered and protected
Third-Home rule, honest money consisting
Of gold and silver aud paper convertible into
coin on demand; strict maintenance OF public
faith, State and National, and tariff fol-
revenue only.
Fourth--Subordinati Of the military 10
the civil power, general and thorough reform
OF the civil service.
Fifth--The right TO free ballot is q right
preservative Of all rights, and must and shall
be maintained in every part of the United
States,
Sixth--The existing administration is re-
preventative of conspiracy only, and the claim
of right TO surround ballot boxes with troops
and deputy marshals to intimidate aud OBJ
struct electors, and the unprecedented use of
the veto to maintain its corrupt and despotic
power, insults the people and inperils their
institutions.
seventh--The great fraud Of 1S70-77, by
which upon false count Of the electoral
votes Of two States the candidate defeated at
the polls was declared to be President, and
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
exrafa nf fati ,at1f
The Democratic pdrty, to preserve the conn
try from civil war, submitted for the time In
the firm and patriotic faith that the people
would punish this crime In 1880. This issue
precedes and dwarfs every other; 1t imposes
more sacred duty upon the people OF the
Union than ever addressed the conscience of
nation of freemen.
ministration in making places In the civil ser
vice reward for political crime, and demand
reform by statute which shall make II forever
impossible for the defeated candidate TO bribe
his way TO The seat Of the ilsurper, by billeting
villains upon the people. [Note-Ihis was
read again. In response to demands aud was
received with applause.]
Ninth-1he resolution OF 6am'l j. Tilden
not again TO be q candidate for the exalted
place TO which he was elected by q majority
Of his countrymen, and from which he was ex-
eluded 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 in
tegrity, mistaken by the assaults OF com
sson enemy, and they further assure him that
he is followed into retirement he has chosen
for himself by the sympathy and respect of
his fellow-citizens, who regard him as one
who, by eleyating the standard OF public mo-
rality and adoning and purifying 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 land;
no discrimination In favor Of transportation
lines, corporations or m0nopolies.
Eleyenth-An amendment to tho Burln-
game treaty; no more Chinese emigration, ex-
eept for travel, education and foreign com
merce, and therein carefully guarded.
Twelfth-Public money and public credit
for public purposes solely; and public land for
actual settlers
Thirteenth--The Democratic party is the
friend of labor and the labOring man, and
pledges itself to protect him alike against
corInorants aud the Commune.
Fourteentb--We congratulate the country
upon the honesty and thrift of the Democratic
Congress, which has reduced the public ex-
penditures $40, 1000, 900 year, upon the con
OF prosperity al home and national
honor abroad, and above all npon the promise
Of such change In the administration OF the
Government as shall insure lis genuine and
lasting reform In every department OF the
public service,