The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-07-11


servaton of the faith of the Nation to creditors and
pensioners. Knowing full we'll however that legsla-
ton affecting the occupations of the people shorl4
be cautious and conservative In method, not in adj
vance OF public opinion, but responsive to its de-
mans the Democratic party ispledged 10 revive the
tariff IN spirit of fairness to all interests
But IN making this reduction taxes it is not pro-
posed to niure any domestic industries but Their to-
promote their healthy growth From the fttn3ation
of this government the taxes collected at the custom
houses have been the chief of federal revenue
and such they must continue to be. Moreover. many
Industries have come to rely upon legislation for
cessful continuance that any change of law must
be at every step regardful Of the labor and capital
thus involved. The process Of reform must be sub.
Jeet, in its execution to this plain dictate
of justice. All taxation shall be limited to
the requirements of economical government.
The necessary reduction in taxation can and must be
effected without deprivng American labor of the ab
ity to compete successfully with foreign labor and
without imposing rates Of duty than will be ann
pie to cover any increased cost of production which
may exist in consequence of the higher rate Of wages
prevailing IN this country. Sufficient revenue to pay
all the expenses Of the federal government econom
cay administered including pensions and interest and
principal of the public debt can be got under our
present system of taxation from customhouse taxes
on fewer imported articles, bearing heaviest art
eles or luxury and bearing hghtesto on articles of
cesslty We therefore denounce the abuses Of the
istlng Tariff and subject to the preced
ing limitations, we demand that federal tax
aton shall be exclusively for public purposes,
and shall not exceed the needs of the government
economically administered.
The system of direct taxation known as the inter
nal revenue IS tax and so long as the law con-
nues the money derived therefrom should be sacred
" devoted to the relief of the people from the remain
ing burdens of the war and be made fund to defray
the expense of the and comfort Of worthy soldiers
disabled IN the line of duty in the wars of the repub
ic and for the payment of such pensions Congress
may from time to time grant to such soldiers like
fund for the sailors having been already provided
and any supplies should be paid into the treasury.
We favor an American continental policy based
upon more Intimate commercial and political rear
tions with the fifteen sister republics of North Gem
tral and South America. but entangng alliances with
none
We believe IN honest money, the gold and silver
coinage of the CsAsttution and circulating medium
convertible INTO such money without loss.
Asserting the equality of all men before the law we
hold that It is the duty Of the government in its deal
ngs with the people, to mete equal and exact just
ice to all citizens Of whatever nativity race color or
persuasion, religious political
We believe in a free ballot and fair count, and we
recall to the memory of the people the noble struggle
OF the Democrats in the Forty-ffth and Fortysixth
Congresses, by which reluctant Republican opposi-
ton compelled to assent to legislation
making everywhere Illegal the presence OF troops at
the pools as the conclusive proof that Democratic
administration will preserve liberty with order.
The selection of Federal officers for the Territories
should be restricted to citizens previously resident
therein.
We oppose sumptuary laws which vex the citizen
and intefere with individual liberty.
We favor honest civil-service reform and the COM
pensation of all United States officers by fixed salaries
the separation of church and state, and the diffusion
of free education by common schools so that every
child in the land may be taught the rights and duties
of citizenship.
While we FAVOR all legislation which will tend to the
equitable distribution of property, to the prevention
of monopoly and to the strict enforcement of ndivid
ua rights against corporate abuses we hold that the
welfare of society depends upon scrupulous regard
for the rights of property as defined by law.
We believe that labor is best rewarded where it is
freest and most enlightened it should therefore, be
fostsred and cherished. We favor the repeal Of all
Laws restricting the free action of labor, and the
be Incorporated and of an such legislation as viii
tend to eghten the people as to the true relations Of
capital and labor.
We believe that the public lands ought as far as
that all unearned lands heretofore improvidently
granted to railroad corporations by the action OF the
main, and that grants Of land shall be made
to corporations or be allowed to fan into the owner
ship Of alien absentses.
We are opposed to all propositions which, upon any
pretext, will convert the general government into
machine for collecting taxes to be distributed aaong
the States, or the citizens thereof.
PLATFORM Of 1856, that s'the liberal principles en-
bodied by Jefferson ia the Decla1ation Of Independ
ence, and sanctioned in the Constitution which make
ours the land OF liberty, and the asylum of the OPP
pressed Of every nation have been cardinal pri
ciples in the Democratic faith, we, nevertheless
do not sanction the importation Of foreign labor or
admission Of servile untitled by habits, training
religion kindred for absorption into the great body
OF our people or for the citizenship which our laws
the immigration or Importation of Mongnlians to
these shores our gates be closed. The Democratic
party insists that il is the duty Of this government to
protect with equal fidelity and vigilance the rights of
its citizens, native and naturalized at home and
abroad and to the end that this protection may be
sured United States papers Of naturalization issued
by courts OF competent jurisdiction must be respected
by the executive and legislative departments Of our
own government and by all foreign powers. II is an
Imperative duty Of this government to eectually pro-
tect all the rights or persons and property Of every
American citizen IN foreign lands, and demand
and enforce full PREPARATION for any invasion
thereof An American citizen IS only responsible to his
Or under her Tag and can only be tried therefor
her own soil and according to her laws and power
exists u this government to exgatrhte American
citizen to be tried IN any foreign land for any such act
Phis country has never had well defined and we'll
executed foreign policy, under Dem9epatic adj
That policy has ever been, regard to
foreign nations long they do no act detrimental
10 the interests Of the country hurtd to our citi
Gems, to let them alone; that as the result Of
la California, and of The adjacent Mexican Territory
b. purchase alone and contrast these grand ac4uis
lions Of Democratic statesmanshp with the purchase
Df Alaska the sole fruit Of Republican adfninistra
ton OF nearly aquaTter of q centHrY.
The federal government should for and improve
The Miss ssppi river and other great waterways Of
lhe republic, as to for the interior States
sasy and cheap transportation to tide-water.
Under long period Of Democratic rule and policy
suS merchant msrne Vas fast eyertang and On the
twenty years Of Republican rude and policy our com
lerce has been leftto British bottoms and almost
nssaS o nag been RsMsgs On the gh
British policy we demand for the POO |
Ole Of the United States an American policy. I'm |
Ter Democratic rule and policy our merchants and
sailorse flying the stars and stresir every port sue
sessfully searched amaet the varied products
1f american industry. Under quarter of century
y kepubiicau rule and policy despite our manifest
sdyantages over all other nations in hgh.paid labor
favorable climates and teeng soils; despite freedom
1f trade among all the United Suites; despite theft
population by the foremost races Of men and an an
nual immigration Of the young thrifty and adyentur
us1of all nations despite freedom here from the
nherited burdens of life and industry in the oI4wori
costly navies, their vast tax
consuming, nonproducing standing armies; despite
twenty years of peace that Republican rule and
policy have managed to surrender TO Great Britain
along with commerce. the control Of the markets
1f theworld Instead Of the Republican party's Brit
sh policy, we demand, in behalf of the American /
Democracy an American policy. Instead Of the Re-
publican party scre7ited scheme and false pretsnsa
Of Hiendshipfor American labor expressed by i'm.
posing taxes, we demand in behalf of the Democracy
fesd0m for American labor by reducing taxes to tie