Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1882-10-12
Tho Platform Of the Demo.
cratic Party.

|
in Stote Convention assembled, roafirmiug
the principles and declarations Of the State
platforms of 1875 and 1878, and their
continued devotion to the principles of tho
National Democratic Party, aud pledging
to that party their earnest cooperation and
support, declare tho following principles as
formulating the policy Of the South Carolina
Democracy in State aud Federal affairs, and
invite tho aid and support of all good
citizens in carrying thom into effect:
l. Wiso aud just legislation, the Impair
tial administration Of equal laws, economy
with efficiency iu ovory department Of the
State government.
2. Popular education is the bulwark Of
free institutions. Liberal appropriations
for the public schools for the whole people.
3. The systematic efforts Of the Republi-
lcan party to obstruc. reform and destroy
good government in South Carolina by
turning to partisan purposes tho appointing
power of tic Federal Government is q
standing menace to the people of this State
and q growing danger to good citizens in
every part Of tho Union. Tho Federal
! Offices in this State are made political iu-
firmaries and training schools for the defeat
of honest government in South Carolina.
4. Honest homo rulo. Tho 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 au intelligent aud equal admin
istratiou of the government.
5. The practice of packing jures 10
political cases in the United States Courts
in this State is criminal violation of the
ioaicnablo right of every citizen to fair
trial by u jury Of his peers.
6. The extension of tho franchise, as
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 in
creased, while the ability Of the State to
bear it was diminished. The Federal Co
vcrnment, by liberal appropriations from
tho Treasury, on the basis of illitcracy,
should help tho Southern States to cure
the evil Of non-intcligent suffrage. A
national danger calls for national action and
national aid
| I. Civil service reform, appointments to
minor Offices under tests that will indicutc
the qualifications of the applicant, promo
ton by merit, fixed tenure of office aud
no removals, except for cause.
| 8. Backmaiing public servants, under
the gnise of political assessments, converts
the public treasury, to the oxtcnt of the
contributions oulIed for, into ocmpagn
fund for the advancement of political
party, thus taxing the whole people for
partisan purposes
g. The present protective tariff robs the
for hnn >e H.
duties on imports should be decreased, aud
an carly repeal Of the duty on cotton ties,
on the machinery used 10 the manufacture
OF cotton and wool, aud on tools aud agri-
cultural implements, viii stimulate munu-
faoturcs md be welcome relief to the
farmer and laborer.
TO- 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 go
vcrnmcnt will hasten the day when tho
tariff shall be as moderate as in the early
days of the Republic aud tho army Of Office
holders employed under the internal rcvc-
nuc laws be disbapded.
ii. Tho public credit, national and
State, must be rcigiously maintained
II. In the conduct of affairs in this
State the Democracy have been actuatcd by
but one dcssre, and that is to promote the
greatest good Of the State. Only within
the Democratic party and by party action
can defective legislation be remcdicd with
out imperilng the safety and we'll being of
the State. Democratic unity is public
safety and private security.
H. In tho State, justice ord equality
for all, 70 insure harmony and good will
between the rooes. In the Union, no SEQ
tionalsm 10 policy or feeling. An indisso-
lubc Union of indestructible States. One
hog, one country, ono destiny.