Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1882-08-24
The Platform Of the Demo-
cratic Party.

The Democratic Party Of South Carolina
in State Convention assembled, reoffirmiup
the principles and declarations of the State
platforms of 1876 and 1878, aud their
continued devotion to the principles of the
National Democratic Party, and pledging
to that party their earnest cooperation and
support, declare the following principles as
formulating the policy of tho South Carolina
Democracy in State and Federal affairs, and
invite tho aid and support of oil good
citizens in carrying them into effect:
l. Wise and just Legislation, the impair
tia administration of equal laws, economy
With efficiency in overy department Of the
State government.
2. Popular education is the bulwark of
free institutions. Liberal appropriations
for the public schools for tho whole people.
3. The systematic efforts of tho Republi-
lican party to obstruot reform and destroy
good government in South Carolina by
turning to purtisan 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 political in
firmarics aud training schools for tho defeat
of honest government in South Carolina.
4. Honest home rule. Tho Democracy
of South Carolina, representing tho tax
payers of the State aud majority of tho
whole people, invite and have the right to
expect the sympathy and support of their
fellow countrymcu in their strenuous efforts
to preserve un intelligent aud equal admin
istration of the government.
5. The practice of packing juries in
political cases in the United States Courts
in this State is criminal violation of tho
inalienable right of every citizen to fair
trial by jury of his peers.
political result of the late war, has enlarged
enormously the number of present aud
prospective voters requiring education in
tho public schools. The burden was iu-
creased, while the ability of the State to
bcur it was diminished The Federal Co
vcrnment, by liberal appropriations from
tho Treasury, on tho basis of illiteracy,
should help tho Southern States to cure
tho evil Of non-intci!gent suffrage. A
national danger calls for national action and
national aid
I. Civil service reform, appointments to
minor offices under tests thnt will indicate
the qualifications Of the applicant, promo
ton by merit, fixed tenure of Office aud
no removals, except for cause.
g. Blackmailing public servants, under
the gnisc of political assessments, converts
the public treasury, to the extent Of the
contributions called for, iuto ocmpoign
fund tor the advancement of q political
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 be decreased, end
an early repeal of the duty on cotton ties,
on the machinery used in tho manufacture
of cotton and wool, and on tools and agri-
cultural implements, will stimulate manu-
fao,urcs and BIO welcome relief to the
farmer and laborer.
10. 1t is most desirable that tho internal
revenue taxation be abolished, so soon as
this can be accomplished without rendering
permanent tho existing protective system.
Rigid economy in the conduct of the 60
vcrnmcnt will hasten the day when the
tarlf shall be as moderate as in the early
days of the Republic and the army of Office
hclders employed under the internal reye-
que laws be disbandcd.
III. The public credit, national and
State, must be relgiously maintained
II. In the conduct of affairs in this
State tho Democracy have been actuatcd by
but one dessre, and that is to promote the
greatest good of the State. Only within
the Democratic party and by party action
can defective legislation be remcdied with
out impcriiing the safety aud well being OF
The State. Democratic urity is public
safety and private security.
l3. In tho State, justice ard equality
Tor all, to insure harmony aud good will
between the races. In the Union, no sec
tionalism in policy or feeling. An iudsso-
lubc Union of indcstruct!blc States. One
flag, one country, ono destiny.