Daily Republican., 1880-07-28
the Democratic Platform.

the Democratic Platform.
For the REPUBLICAN.
MEssRs. EDrroRs We purpose u
analyzs briefly the platform Of the
Democratic party as adopted by the
Convention at Cincinnati, Juns 1880.
Article 1st reads taus
First, We pledge ourselves anew to
the constitutional doctrines and tradi-
tions Of the Democratic party, as Illus
tratsd by the teaching and example Of
long line OF Democratic statesmen
and patriots, and embodied in the plat
form Of the last National Convention Of
the party. -...
Nov what are the constitutional
doctrines and traditions Of the Demo-
cratic party?" Fifty years ago Its
constitutional defenders proclaimed
that unless they could have free trade
they would nullify the laws and thus
disrupt the Union. Thirty-fve years
ago they were for preventing the ad-
mission Of Oregon as State into the
Union because the people of that State
did not want slavery. Thirty years
ago they fought 70 prevent the admis-
sion Of California as free State into
the Union Why 7 because their "son.
stitutional defenders" could see moth
ing but slavery for the benefit of man
kind.
Where is the teaching and example
now OF a long line Of Democratic States
men Those statesmen had to sue
Dumb to their supsriors in the love Of
liberty, and the territories were admit
ted ss free states. Where is their ex-
ample Of statesmanshipf Twenty years
ago they refused to abide the election
OF Lincoln, AMI they put into action
the constitutional doctrines and ira
dition Of the then Democratic patriots"
Their statesmen and patriots" were
jeff. Davis, Toombs, Mason, slidsll,
Hunter and host Of others. Among
them was Buchanan the President
who could not find it in the "constitu'
tional doctrines to put down the in
surrection then being brought on by
this Democratic party, but who begged
these same statesmen "to commit no
overt act while he was ia Office" Very
statesmanlike, very patriotic.
For four long years those statesmen
and patriots Of this democratic school,
carried on the war for the destruction
Of the government they now claim to
love so we'll, and are trying to get
their hands upon to distribute the
loaves and fishes; and then have the
effrontery to Gall those who caused
Blood to run in rivers, and billions OF
debt to be saddled on the backs OF the
Ia boring classes, statesmen and pa
triots. God save us from their
touch. The next resolution reads
thus: Second. Opposition to central
ism and to that dangerous spirit Of
encYoaohment which tends to consoli-
date the powers of all the departments
in one, and TINS to create, whatever
bs the form II fGovernment, q real des-
potism.
No sumptuary laws; separation Of
church and State for the good OF each;
common schools fostered and protected.
The Democratic party years ago,
claimed to be in favor OF States rights
to the fullest extent Estates rights
meant all through the life of the said
party to mean slavery, when that plank
foundered and was lost they gave very
little attention to estates rights" ex-
cept in words.
When four years ago the electoral
commission bill was passed to settle
TIE counting of the votes for President
every Democrat went back upon his
past history and set states rights to one
side, ard voted for the Congress OF the
United States to 60 behind the returns
Of the states, thus centraliziug all pow
or in the hands Of Congress, and fol
that body to set aside all State legisla
tion or returning boards, thus setting
precedent for Congress to make fresl,
dent according TO the complexion Of
that body. The majority OF the electo-
raj commission being Republicans had
to defend states rights, and defeat CEN
tralization OF power advocated by the
minority of the commission who were
Democrats.
Tbs question before the commission be-
ipg-Shall Congress go behind the re-
turning boards Instituted by the states!
The Democrats voted aye I, the Re-
publicans nay s. Now with what pre-
sumption they roll their second resolu'
ton before the public uttering their cry
against centralism and consolidation OF
powers.
"sumptuary laws, separation ol
church and state, &c." are all ques'
tions belonging to the states, and to be
dealt with by the states otherwise
they are oentralizing. There is no con-
nection OF ch urch and state by the gen
eral government now !; but there is by
the various states and this being SO,
this article is aimed at the destruction
of state rights il simply means consol.
idation of power in the hands OF Con
gress.
"Common schools fostered and pro
tected." This utterance by national
convention is altogether out OF place;
schools are prerogatives Of the STATES
and to the States belong. II the gen
ersl government is to take hold OF the
education OF the children in that sense
we will have collisions between States
and Nation, and will be following II
the wake ofthe Germanic centralizlnG
system. II the Democrats wish OF
want to encourage schools, or separate
church and State, let them begin II
the States where they have the power
Let us look at the city OF New York
and the State when they mad it in pow
er, what was the factsf A Psrieo'
unity of church and State, for millions
of dollars of public taxes was given u
build up sectarian churches and sec
tartan schools; while the State OF New
4, aorJv or ouitA rid of thu