Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1882-10-19
The Platform Of the Demo.
cratic Party.


in State Convention assembled, rcsffirming
the principles aud declarations of the State
platforms of 1876 and 1878, aud their
continued devotion to the principles of the
National Democratic Party, and pedging
to that party their earnest cooperation aud
support, declare the following principles as
formulating tho policy of the South Carolina
Democracy in State aud Federal affairs, aud
invite tho aid and support of oil 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 the
State government.
2. Popular education is the bulwark of
free institutions. Liberal appropriations
i, for the public schools for the whole people
3. The systematic efforts Of tho RcpubIi-
loan party to obstruct reform and destroy
good government in South Carolina by
turning to partisan purposes tho appointing
power of the Federal Government is a
standing menace 10 the people Of this State
and growing danger to good citizens in
every part Of tho Uuion. The Federal
Offices in this State arc made political in
firmarics and training schools for the defeat
of honest government in South Carolina.
4. Honest home rule. The Democracy
of South Carolina, representing the tax
payers Of the State aud majority of tho
whole people, invite and have the right to
expect the sympathy aud support of their
fellow countrymcn in their strenuous efforts
to preserve All intelligent and equal admin
istration Of the government.
g. The practice of packing jurics in
political cases in the United States Courts
in this State is oriminal violation of the
inaienable right of every citizen to fair
trial by jury Of his peers.
q. The extension of tho franchise, as
political result of the late war, has enlarged
enormously tho number Of present aud
prospective voters requiring education in
the public schools. The burden was in
creased, while the ability of the State to
bear it was diminished The Federal Go
vcrnmcnt, by liberal appropriations from
should help the Southern States to cure
tho evil Of non-intcliscnt suffrage. A
national danger calls for national action and
national aid.
I. Civil service reform, appointments 20
minor Offices under tests thut will indicate
the qualifications Of the applicant, promo
ton by merit, fixed tenure of Office aud
20 removals, except for cause.
8. Bnckmailing public servants, under
the guisc of political assessments, converts
the public treasury, to the extent of the
contributions oalled for, into oGmpoisn
fund for the advancement Of 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, and
an carly repeal of the duty on cotton ties,
on the machinery used in the manufacture
OF cotton aud wool, and on tools and ngri-
cultural implements, will stimulate manu-
tac,urcs aud bo a welcome relief to the
farmer and laborcr.
~. 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
vernmcnt will hasten the day when the
tariff shdll be as moderate os in the early
days of the Republic and the army of Office
holders employed under the internal rcvc-
uuc laws be disbapdcd.
IL. The public credit, national and
State, must be religiously maintained
| II In the conduct of affairs in this
State the Democracy have been actuatcd by
but one dcssro, and that is to promote the
greatest good of tho State. Only within
the Democratic party and by party action
can defective Legislation be remcdied with
out impcri'ing the safety and well being of
the State. Democratic upity is public
safety and private security.
l3 In tho State, justice ard equality
for all, to insure harmony and good will
between the races. In the Uuion, no sec
tionalism in policy or feeling. An indisso-
lubIc Union of indcstructiblc States One
laO tru