The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1883-09-11
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

First-The Democracy Of Ohio, in Conven-
ton assembled, hereby reafirm the principles
of the party as expressed in the previous State
and National platforms in regard to personal
liberty and the true functions of the Govern.
ment. and as embraced in the political creed
expounded by the great founder of the Demo-
cratic, party. Thomas jefferson. The applica-
tion Of these principles to our present condi-
tion demands the purifiiation of the public SER
vice; the punishment of the robbers of abe pub
lie treasury the equalization of all public bur-
dens; the arrest Of the profigacy and extrava-
gance that corrupt the administration of pub
lie affairs, and total change in the policy that
has so lorg been pursued by the Republican
party. favoring individual and class interest at
the expense pf thelaboring and wealth produe-
ing people of the country, and we reannounce
our previous declatations for stable money. the
gradual extinction Of the public debt and the
payment of pensions to disabled soldiers, their
widoxsAnd orphans.
o SecoBd-Ws favor tariff for revenue limit
ed to the necessities of the Government ecorom.
ically Administered. and so adjusted in it's ap-
plication as TO prevent unequal Burdens, en-
courage productive industries at home, and af-
ford Just compensation to labor. but not to Gre.
ate or foster monopoiies,
Third The act of The Republican Congress
reducing the tariff on wool. while at the same
time increasing 1t on woolen goods, already
highly protected. was iniquitous legislation.
discriminating in favor of monopoly and
against the agricultural interests of the coun.
try. and ought to be corrected. and we heartily
approve the action of the Democratic members
of the Ohio delegation in Congress in voting
against that measure.sa
Fourth-Thee Democratic party is, rs it al
ways has been opposed to sumptuary ieyis!a
ton and unequal taxation in any form. and is
in favor of the largest liberty of private con-
ductsconsistent with the public welfare and the
rights of Others, and Of regulating the liquor
traffic and providing against the evils resulting
the-efrom by ajudiciohs and properly graded
license system. f'z 10
Fifth-The abuses of the PRESENT. CONTRACT
system in our4State Penitentiary by which the
products of the labor of canvicts are brought
in competition with the products of honest la.
Dor, to the great detrinent of the lat,er.ar in
furious and unwise. and ought to he corrected.
and the promises of the Republican, party to
abolish this system are shown to be false and
hypoeiticaI by its failure to do so while it has
had the power.
Sixth-The protection of the Government is
due to all American citizens. native and foreiga
born. abroad as we'll as at home. ,4la
Seventh - We reafh m the resolutions of the
State Conventions of Ohio in 1880, 1881. and
1889, and of the Democratic National Conven.
lions Of 1872. 1875 and 1880 demanding thor
ough reform and publication cf the civil SER
vice, and charge that the Republican party has
violated every pledge it has heretofore given
| for the reform thereof. ard has failed during
its long administration of the Government IL
correct even the most crying abuses; and we
demand. therefore, aebange in the executive
administrations of the Goverumentitself, as the
reform first of all necessary las made still more
manifest by the recent star route trials). there
by. ousting corrupt rings. confaderated to pro-
tect Crime and prevent the punishment of Grim.
inals. and by so doing 10 make it possible again
to punish fraud and theft in the public service