Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1882-08-17
The Platform Of tho Demo-
cratic Party.

The Democratic Party of South Carolina,
in State Convention assembled, rcoilirniug
the principles and declarations of the State
platforms Of 1876 und 1878, aud their
continued devotion to the principles of the
National Democratic Party, and pic ,iug
to that party their earnest cooperation aud
support, declare the following principles as
formulating tho policy of the South Carolina
Democracy in Stuto and Federal affairs, aud
invite tho aid and support of all good
citizens in carrying them into etfeot:
l. Wiso and Just legislation, the impair
tial administration of equal laws, economy
with efficiency i'll every department. Of the
State government.
z. Popular education is the bulwark Of
free institutions. Liberal appropriations
for tho public schools for tho whole pcop!e.
.. The systematic efforts of the Repuli--
i''nn party % ohstruct reform and acstroy
good government III South Carolina by
turning TO partisan purposes the appointing
power of tic Federal Government is a
standing menace to the people Of this State
aud growing danger to good citizens in
every purt Of tho Union. The Federal
olllccs in this State are made political iu-
tlrmarics and training schools for the defeat
OF honest government in South Carolina.
q. Honest home rule. Tho Democracy
OF South Carolina, representing tho tax
payers OF the Stute aud majority of tho
whole people, invite and have the right to
expect the sympathy aud support of their
fellow countrymen IN their strenuous efforts
to preserve all intelligent aud equal admin.
istration of the government.
D. The Dracticn of naok;no ;rr;o, -,
political cases in the United States Courts
in this State is a criminal violation of the
iualienubla right of every citizen to fair
trial by jury Of his peers
q. The extension of tho franchise, as a
poI'tical result of the late war, has enlarged
enormously the number of present aud
the public schools The burden was in
creased, while tho ability of the State to
bear it was diminished. The Federal Go
vernmcnt, by liberal appropriations from
tho Treasury, on the basis of illtcracy,
should help the Southern States to cure
tho evil OF non.ntelligcnt 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 the applicant, promo
tlon by merit, a fixed tenure of office and
no removals, except for cause.
9. matchmaking public servants, under
the gulse of political assessments, converts
the public treasury, to the extent of the
contributions called for, into octnpuigu
fund for the advancement of q politica!
party, thus taxing tho whole people for
partisan purposes.
8. The present protective tariff robs the
many for the 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
OF cotton and wool, and on tools ard ugri.
cultural implements, will stimulate manu-
iaosures and be welcome relief to the
farmer and !auoorcr, -
~. 1t is most desirable that tho internal
revenue taxation be abolished, so soon as
this can be accomplished without rendering
permanent the existing protective system.
Rigid economy in the conduct of the 90
vernmcnt will hasten tho day when tho
tail1 shall bo as moderate as in the early
days of the Republic and the army of Office
holders employed under the internal reyc-.
nuc laws be disbapdcd.
IL. Tho public credit, national and
State, must DC rcligiously maintained
IL. In the conduct of affairs in this
State tho Democracy have been actuaed by
but one dessre, and that is to promote tho
greatest good of the State. Only within
the Democratic party and by party action
can defective legislation be rcmcdied with
out imperi'ipg the safety anG well being Of
the State. Democratc huity is public
safety aud private security.
IL. In tho State, justice ard equality
for all, to insure harmony and good will
between the races. In the Union, no sec
tionalism in policy or feeling. An ndisso
lubjc Union Of indestructbio States One