The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1880-07-21
PLATFORM
OF
THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY
ADOPTED IN CONVENTION AT CINCINNATI
JUNE 81, 1880.

JUNE q, 1880.
The Democrats of the United States,
in Convention assembled, declare:
First We pledge ourselves anew to
the Constitutional doctrines and tradI-
lions of the Democratic party, as Illus
trated by the teaching and example OF
of long line of Democratic statesmen
and patriots, and embodied In the
Platform of the last National C0nven-
ton Of the party.
Second-Opposition to Capitalization
and to that dangerous spirit OF Gu
croachment which tends to consolidate
the powers of all departments in one,
and thus to create, whatever be the
form of government, real despotism..
No sumptuary laws; separation OF
church and State for the good OF each, ;
common schools fosteIed and protected.
Third-Home rule; honest money,
consisting of gold and silver, anu paper
convertible into coin on demand; strict
maintenance of public faith, State and
National, and a tariff for revenue only.
Fourth INSTRUMENTATION of the mill
tary to the civil power and general and
thorough reform of the civil service
Fifth The right to free ballot is a
right preseryative of all right, and
must and shall be maintained in every
part of the United States.
Sixth--The existing administration
is a representative of conspiracy only,
and the claim of right to surround the
ballot boxes with troops and deputy
marshals to intimidate and obstruct
electors, and the unprecedented use OF
the veto to maintain its corrupt anu
despotic power, insults the people and
imperils their institutions.
Seventh great fraud of 1876 II
by which, upon false count of the
electoral votes of two States, the can
didate defeated at the polls was de-
clared 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 a
deadly blow at our system ofrepresen-
tative government. The Democratic
party, to preserve the country from
civil war, submitted for the time, in
the firm and patriotic faith that the
people would punish this crime in 1851.
This issue precedes and dwarfs every
other. 1t imposes more sacred duty
upon the people of the Union than ev-
or addressed the conscience OF nation
of freemeD.
Eightli-We execrate the course oil
this administration in making places
in the civil service q reward for politl-
cal crime, and demand reform by stat
ute which shall make it forever impOs-
sible for the defeated candidate to
bride his way to the seat OF the
usurper by billiting Williams upon the
people.
Nintll--The resolution Of Samuel j.
Tilden not again to be Il candidate Tor
the exalted place to which he was
elected by q majority of his country
men, and from which he was excluded
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 integrity, I'M
shaken by the assaults OF common
enemy; and they further assure him
that he is followed into the retirement
lie has chosen for himself with the
sympathy and respect of his fellow
citizens, who regard him as one who,
by eevating 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 on the
seas and on the land; no discrimina-
ton in favor of transportation lines,
corporations or monopolies.
Eleventh - An amendment of the
Burlingamo treaty, no mole Chinese
immigration except for travel, educa-
tion and foreign commerce, and there
in 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 cormorants and COM
mune.
Fourteenth - We congratulate the
country upon the honesty and thrift o.
the Democratic Congress, which has
reduced the public expenditure $780,
100000 year; upon the continuation
of prosperity at home and nationa
honor abroad, and above all upon thu
promise of such change in the admin
istration of the government as shall
insure us genuine and lasting reform
in every department of the public scr
vice.