St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1880-08-14
Platform Of the Democratic Party Of
the United States.

The Democrats of the United States in con-
vcntion assembled declare:
First-We pledge ourselves anew to the con
sttutional doctrines and traditions of the
Democratic party, as Illustrated by the teach
ing and example of a long line OF Democratic
statesmen and patriots, and embodied i'll the
platform Of the last national convention OF the
party.
SccOnd-Opposition to Capitalization and to
that dangerous spirit OF encroachment which
tends to consolidate the powers of all depart
mcnts i'll one, and thus TO create, whatever be
the form Of government, a real despotlsm:
No sImptuaIy laws; separation Of church and
State for the good of each; common schools
fostered and protected.
Third-Honle rule honest money, consisting
of &C Id and silver, and paper convertible into
coin on demand !; strict maintenance OF pubic
faith, State and national, and tariff Tor
revenue only.
Fourth-Snbordinato of the military to. the
civil power and general and thorough reform
of the civil service.
Fifth-Tlle right to free ballot is a right pre-
sentative of all right, and must and shall be
maintained i'll every part Of the United States
Sixth-The existing administration is rep
81 fhe ep ho aq boxes With
troops and deputy narshals to intlmldate ana
obstrrlct electors, and the unprecedented use
of the veto to maintain its corrupt ana des
pOtlc power, Insults the people anu lnlperllS
their Institutions
seventh-The great fraud of 1s76-77 by which,
upon a false count of the electoral votes or two
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 our system OF repre-
sentative government The Democratic party,
TO preserve the country from civil war, submit
ted for the time, i'll the firm and patriotic faith
that the people would punish this crime In
1880. This issue precedes and dwarts every
other. 1t imposes more sacred duty upon
the people of the Union than ever addressed
the conscience of a nation OF freemen.
I,,l,fl a,.lfa IL
ministratlOn in making places Ill the civil ser
vice a reward for political crime, and demand
reform by statute which shall make 1T forever
impossible for the defeated candidate to bride
his way tn the seat of the llSurper by billitinr
Williams upon the people.
Ninth-The resolution of Samuel J. Tilden
not again to be a candidate for the exalted
place to which he was elected by a majority of
his countrymen, and from which he was eX-
Guided by the leaders Of the Republican party,
is received by the Democrats of the United
States with sensiblity, and they declare their
confidence i'll his wisdom, patriotism and i'll
tegrity, mistaken by the assaults of common
enemy and they further assure him that he is
followed into the retirement he has chosen for
himself with the sympathy and respect of his
fellow-citizens who regard him as one who. by
elevating the standards of public morality and
adjoining and purifying the public service,
merits the lasting gratitude OF his country and
his party.
Tenth-Free ships and living chance for
American commerce Oh the seas and on land;
no discrimination i'll favor of transportation
lines, corporations OF monopolies.
Eleventll-An amendment OF the Burlingame
treaty; no more Chinese immigration except
for travel, education and foreign commerce,
and therein carefully guarded
Twelfth-Public money and public credit for
public purposes solely; and public land for ac-
tual settlers
Thirteentll-The Democratic party is the
friend of labor and the aboring man, and
pledges itself to protect him alike against cor
morants and commune.
Fourteenth-We congratulate the country
Congress- which has reduced the public ex-
penditurc $40 600 900 q year upon the continual
ton of prosperity at home and national honor
abroad, and above all upon the promise OF such
change in the administration of the govern
ment as shall insure us genuine and lasting
reform in every department of the public
service.