The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1883-08-28
THE DEMOCRATIC, PLATFORM.

First-The Democracy of Ohio. in Couvsn.
tion assembled, hereby reafirm the principles
Of the party AZ 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-
ton Sof these pripcipIes tefour present condi-
tion demands the publication of the public SER
vice; the punishment of the robbers of the pub
lie treasury; the equalization of all public bur.
denss the nrrest Of the profigacy and extraya-
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, of the aboring and wealth produc,
ing people Of the country. and we reannounce
our previous declarations for stable money,-th
gradual extinction Of the public debt. and the
payment of pensions TO disabled soldiers, their
widows and orphans.
Second-.We We favor tariff for revenue limit
ed to the necessities of the Government econom.
ically administered. and so adjusted in its sp-
plication as to prevent unequal burdens, en-,
courage productive Industries at home. and af-
ford Just condensation to labor. but not to ore.
ate or foster monopoiies. s-zs.
Third--The act of the Republican Congress
reducing the tariff on wool while at the same
time increasing 1t on wooden goods. already
highly protected was ubiquitous 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. ~s-azs
Fourth-Fhs Demoerstic. party is. ns it Al.
ways has been opposed TO sumptuary legisla
tion and unequal taxation in any form. and i
in favor of the largest liberty of private con.
duct consistent with the public welfare and the
rights of others, and of regulating the liquor
traffic and providing against the evils resulting
the-cfrom BY judicious and properly graded
license system.
FifthEThe abuses Of tho present contract
system in our State Penitentiary by which the
products of the labor Of convicts are brought
in competition with the products uf honest Ia.
Dor. to the great detriment Of the latter.are in.
furious and unwise, and ought to be cor, ected.
and the promises of the Republican party to
abolish. this ey.tem are shown to be false and
hypocritical by its failure to do SO while it has
had the power. !s. Fl ,gs..tss.s
Sixth-The protection of the Government is
due to all American citizensnative and foreign
born. abroad as well as at home.
Seventh-We reafi: m the resolutions of the
State Conventions of Ohio in 1880. 1881. and
1881, and of the Democratic National Conven.
tiops of 1872. 1876 and i8SO, demanding a thor.
ough reform and publication cf the civil ser.
vice. and change that the Republican party has
violated every pledge it has heretofore given
for the reform thereof ard has failed during
I. its long administration of the Government tc
correct even the most crying abuses; and we
demand. therefore. a change in the executive
administ ration of the Government itself. as the
reform first of all necessary (as made still more
manifest by the recent star route trials) there
by ousting corrupt rings. confederated to pro
tect crime and prevent the punishment of Grim
inals, and by 30 doing to make it possible agair
to punish fraud and theft in the public service