The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1880-09-02
The Boilers Platform.


resented in Convention by its delegates, who
have been elsewhere denied the right to re-
fleet the will OF the party and the people,
by the opposition OF men assuming to be
the managers and the masters OF the Demo
cratic party, by the combination of its enc
mics and the mistakes OF its friends-by the
manipulation and fraud OF the vast railroad
corporations, who have their iron grasp
upon the liberty Of the people and are dc
termincd to destroy it, and who, to perpetu-
ate their power, have lubsred assiduously in
every manner, even To the furnishing OF free
tickets and free uasses to many delegates
to the State Convention, and are determined
to uphold them and their action, and deny
To the people not only their rights but to
take from them also the privilege OF NOt-
ing upon them; and have brought here all
the power which they could secure to cap
ture the State Convention in their interest,
and override the expressed Will OF the pcO-
pie of the State, and this power has united
with the small element Of the Democratic
minority of the State Convention, and in
such unhOly combination have been able To
stile the voice OF the people, i'll the rejec-
ton of Democratic doctrine, and i'll dc
NAL of the only right the people have been
able to secure after years OF struggle and
contest, the right to settle Tor themselves ny
direct vote their alleged indebtedness.
And that combination have asserted in une-
quivocal terms their determination to have
the debts of the railroads paid by the PeO-
pie of the State, while the holders of the
bonds are claiming that the railroads owe
the debt, and are now, by suit, trying 10 en-
| force its collection against them.
Regarding as we do, such combinations
lis destructive OF the liberty and prosperity
of the people, and such doctrines as mon
strous subyersions OF every principle OF
| Democracy and of justice, we refuse to sur
render To them the sovereignty of the mass
cs we represent, and, in justice to our peo-
/ pie, we stand with them-the Democracy of
| Tennessce-and decline to abandon their
| principles ut the bchcst OF such an alliance,
and therefore,
| We dcnouuce the action of such cOmbi-
nation pretending to be a State Democrat
| ic Convention, rs undemocratic; and, as Il
! platform of Democratic principles on which
we invite the support OF the Democratic
! party, and all friends OF true democracy (;
| we declare
We approve the National platform
adopted at Cincinnati, and heartily en-
dorse the nomination OF Hancock and Eng
/ li>h.
We declare our allegiance to the time
honorcd principles Of the Democratic par
"; the right of the majority to rule; the
suburdinatiUn of the military TO the civil
| authority; opposition TO fraud and violence
and the supremacy of law and order, and
the economical administration OF the State
and National Governments.
We lavor the adjustment and speedy pay
mcnt OF the State debt proper.
We deny the validity against the State
of all that part of our alleged indebted
ness represented by bonds issued for on
account of railroads, and declare they shall
be left for settlement where they properly
belong in the judicial controversy between
the bondholdcrs and the railroads.
We deny the validity Of bonds issued for
war interest, and assert that the demand
for such interest and its concession by men
pretending to represent the State at a time
when we were DISTINGUISHED as a crime
against the rights Of the people, and no
part Of such alleged debt shall be rccog-
nizcd in any settlement To be made.
We declare that in no event, upon any
settlement, shall the coupons be made rI-
ccivable Tor taxes.
We recognize the sovereignty and SUI
premacy of the people, and declare that nu
settlement of amy part OF our alleged in
dcbtedncSs shall be made which Il not
first submitted to them for ratification OF
rejection at the ballo,-boX ut Il special
election to be held for that purpose only.
We favor the Widest dissemination OF
intelligence among the masses, and Will en-.
courage and promote the most liberal ano
efficient free school system.
We oppose the competition Of convict
with free labor, and favor the enactment o.
such wise and salutary laws as shall re-
strain it, so far as the best interests OF the
free laboring people shall require.
, We favor such regulation of the taxes As
shall lift a part OF the burden from thC
shoulders Of the laboring land owners anC
place it ON railroads, capitalists, income,
. and salaries.
We favor the enactment OF such laws Il,
will secure the collection ii railroad taXc'
and as will compel the railroads to dea
Justly with the people Of the State and pre-
vent unjust discrimination between through
and local frrights.
On this platform of principles we invit,
? the cooperation Of the honest men o
all parties