Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1882-08-31
The Platform Of the Demo-
cratic Party.

The Democratic Party of South Carolina
in State Convention assembled, resflrniug
the principles and declarations Of the State
platforms of 1876 and 1878, and their
continued devotion to tho principles of the
National Democratic Party, aud pledging
to that party their earnest cooperation and
support, declare the following principles as
formulating the policy of the South Carolina
Democracy in State and Federal affairs, and
invite tho aid und support of all good
citizens in carrying them into effect:
l. Wise and just legislation, the Impair
tial administration of equal laws, economy
with efficiency in every department of tho
State government.
2. Popular education is the bu|wark of
free institutions. Liberal appropriations
for the public schools for the whole people.
3. The systematic efforts of the RepubIi-
lican party to obstruot reform and destroy
good government in South Carolina by
turning to partisan purposes the appointing
power of tie Federal Government is a
standing menace to the people of this State
and growing danger to good citizens in
every part of tho Union. The Federal
Offices in this State arc made politicpi in
firmarcs and training schools for the defeat
of honest government in South Carolina
d. Honest home rule. The Democracy
of South Carolina, representing the tax
payers of the State and a majority of the
whole people, invite and have the right to
expect the sympathy aud support of their
fellow countrymcn in their strenuous efforts
to preserve al intelligent and equal admin
istration of tho government.
5. The practice of packing jurics in
political cases in the United States Courts
in this State is criminal violation of tho
inallcnable right of every citizen to fair
trial by jury of his peers.
=. The extension of tho franchise, as a
political result Of tho late war, has enlarged
enormously the pumbcr of present aud
prospective voters requiring education in
tho public schools. The burden was in
creased, while the ability of the State to
bear it was diminished. The Fedora! Co
vcrnment, by liberal appropriations from
the Treasury, on the basis of ilitcracy,
should help the Southern States to cure
tho evil Of non-ntcligent suffrage A
national danger calls for national action and
national aid
{. Civil service reform, appointments to
minor Offices under tests that will indicate
the qualifications of tho applicant, promo
ton by merit, fixed tenure of oflico aud
no removals, except for cause
o. Matchmaking public servants, under
the guisc of political assessments, converts
tho public treasury, to the extent Of the
contributions called for, into OF ampaigu
fund for the advancement of political
party, thus taxing the whole people for
partisan purposes
y. Inc present protective tariff robs the
many for tho benefit of the few. The
duties on imports should bo decreased, and
an carly repeal of the duty on cotton ties
on the machinery used in the manufacture
or cotton and wool, and on tools and oer-
cultural implements, will stimulate manu-
features and bo a welcome relief to the
farmer and laborer.
10. 1t is most desirable that tho internal
revenue taxation bo abolished, so soon as
this can be accomplished without rcnderiop
permanent the existing protective system.
ltigid economy in the conduct of the go
yernmcnt will hasten tho day when tho
tariff shall be as moderate as in tho early
days of tho Republic and tho army of Office
holders employed under the internal royc-
hue laws bo disbandcd.
IL. Tho public credit, national and
state, must be rcligously maintained
II. 10 the conduct of affairs in this
State tho Democracy have boon actuatcd by
but one dessrc, and that is to promote tho
greatest good of the State. Only within
he Democratic party and by party action
'an defective legislation be remedied with
out importing tho safety and we'll being of
mo State Democratic upity is public
safety and private security
l3. 10 tho State, Justice apd equality
for all, to insure harmony and good will !
between tho races. In tho Union, no SEQ
Iionolism in policy or feeling. An indisso-
lublc Union of indestruotible States. Ono
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