Mexico weekly ledger., 1882-08-03
THE PLATFORM.

as long as the Democracy has domi-
mated Missouri there ought to be little
occasion for political platforms. The
acts of such a party necessarily speak
louder than mere words. But when
the affairs of Il great commonwealth
have been successfully administered;
when everything connected with it is
fourishing; when there is rapid pro-
gress III education, science, and
the arts; when morality, relig-
ion, justice and civilization are
advancing; when industries vie with
one another in their productions;
when agriculture holds the first rank
and labor in every department finds
r~emunerative employment, attracting
to that state a vast army of immi-
grants there is still less necessity for
the party that by wise legislation has
conducted such a people to such a
pinnacle of success, to renew in detail
the principles of policies that have
been acted upon, until every body
that has paid attention to what has
been going on is familiar with them.
Had the representatives Of the de-
mocracy lately assembled at Jeffer-
son City therefore done nothing more
than have referred to the foundations
p O which their successful rule of
this State has been based, to equal
privileges and projections, to equal
taxation, free speech, free press, free
schools and a free and ~incorruptatle
bollot, in our opinion, they would
have presented the strongest and most
unanswerable claims to renewed trust
that could have been set up. AS
sumptions, ~pretensions and promises
hest hecome those that think they can
impart newer and grander impetus to
society and accordingly thus far the
Ioudest proclamations of benefits to
ne conferred upon our citizens come
rom men ~permeated with one idea,
nd disposed to measure and treat all
..lterests by universal and arbitrary
standards and methods. Under dem.
"cratic legislation each comfy is
:csted with power to defend itself
against abuse of liquor. County
.udgcs can withhold licenses, and thu
lection and election of justice:
edged to temperance can preyen
&c sale of spirituous beverages where
yer and whenever the citizens of an,
.4)untv decide their well being de
lands it. Like powers have beel
onferred upon cities and towns ant
pom each and every block in them
> that after counties and municipal
les have licensed dramshops the,
Innot force themselves upon an,
eighborhood that opposes them
his is rs it should be, and this Is tn
,,.gislation the Democratic platforr
e-atlirms when it commends the lare
rst liberty consistent with public we
.arc. But zealots on the one side dc
nOuncc these wholesome provision
and demand more stringent and un:
versal restrictions and on the Other
brewers, distillers and vendors c
spirituous drinks think the democr:
cy ought to have assumed their e.
pecial defence. But that party ca
well afford to let interest and fanat
cism fight this battle. Temperate
has never been successful as a poll
zeal party. 1t appeals rather to til
moral than the political elements {
society, and to be of anything lik
universal observance it must hay
friends among all conditions and con
binatl0ns. On the other hand indus
try prospers most under the freedol
allowed it by the Democracy. 1t ms
not like the Republican party fost'
peculiar enterprises at the expense
others, but under its wide and unlin
tied permission manufactures have 1
hostility of any sort to fear.
TO the national government the d,
mocracv of this State sustains far di
ferent relations. The Democrat
party is not the party in power
Washington, aud therefore the ne
platform is mainly devoted to the a
rangement of Republican policies, tt
most pernicious of which are exec
sive taxation and unlimited expend
turc. Civil service reform and ad
quate protection of public servan
against political assessment is deman
ed, with a reliable currency and pro
or safeguard for citizens ut home al
abroad. Farmers and others as inc
viduals have called upon congress
vain for relief from burdens, f
which no justifiable excuses can
given. and now a great party united
presents the Issue of retrenchme
and reform, for another political ca
vass against reckless profiigacy a
prodigallty, such as has never befc
been exhibited.
Rev. Pope Yeaman, among ott
leading temperance men, is oppos
to prohibition.
The LEDGER would have been b
ter pleased if q broad, straight-c
anti-prohibition plank had been
serted in the Democratic platform.
There is an anti-prohibition pla
in the Democratic platform.
think it would have been better
this plank had been planned of