The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1884-10-18
The aeeaaoerntic Platfor nm.

54E
The Detns,eratic party Of the Union, through
it's representatives in national Convention as
sembled, recognizes that;ss tbs nation grows
older new issues are born OF time and pro-
gress aia old ISSUES perish. But the funda-
mental principles of Democracy, approved by
the united voice OF the people, remain and
will ever remain as the best and only securi-
ty for the continuance Of free government.
The preservation OF personal rights, the
equality of all citizens before the law, the
reserved rights of the States, and the supre.
macy of the Federal government within the
limits of the constitution will eyer form the
true basis of our liberties. and can n6ver be
surrendered without destroying that balance
of rights and powers which enables u couti-
nent to be developed in peace and social or
tier--to he maintained by measures of local
| self-governmenJ but it ii Indispensable, for
I the practical application and enforcement
i of these Fundamental principles that the gov
srnment should not always be controlled by
] one political party A fiequent change of
administration is as necessary as constant
recurrence to the popular viii. Otherwise
abuses will grow aud tho government, instead
! of being carried on for the great welfare, be.
ZONES an iHstrumentallty for imposing heavy
burdens on tts many who arc governed for
I the benefit OF the foW who govern. Public ser-
+ wants thus become arbitrary rulers. This ie
now the condition of the country. Hence o
change is demanded. The Republican party.
so fur as principle is concerned, Is reminls-
eence in practice. 1t is an organization for
! enrichlng those who control its machinery.
The frauds aid jobbery which have been
/ brought TO light in every department of the
" government ara sufficient to have called for
reform within she Republican party Yet
4 those in authority. made reckless by the long
! possession of power, have sueeunbed to its
4 corrnptive influence aud have placed In nom.
ination o ticket against which the iudepen-
deut portion of the party are Ia open revolt,
Therefore. change Is demanded. Such a
change was alike necessary in 1876, but the
will Of the people was then defeated by a
fraud which, can never be forgotten nor CON
donsd. Again. III 1889 the Grange demanded
by the people was defeated By th. lavish use
ofnouay contributed by unscrupnlons contrac
! TORS and shameless Jnbhery, who had bargain
ed for unlawful profits or tor high offices
The Republican party, during it's legal, itt
stolen aud its bought tellare ct power has
steadily aeeayel In mural character and
ppiilical capacity. Il Is plai form promises are
, now il list III It's past failtiFes. 1t lemantlt
the distinction of onr navy. Ii has squan
, deret hundreds nf millions tts create NAYS
that does mt exist. Ii calls ~ Congress Is
reni0ve the burdens under which American
shipping has been depressed e impusetfant
has continued these harfisHs. It prefessei
the pulley ei reaervihg the public lands To-
small ltuldeEa by actual settlers. 1t has givei
away tiia peapies heritage till now few
!, railroads aad ht3n-ras!aant Aliens, lndlYiiua
that If ali our farmers between tho two seas
Ii trofessaa a reference for.iree institutions
1t organized and tried To legaiizs control o
State eleefieIs by Federal troops. 1t prpfes
( srs ii desire TO elevate labor, 1t has sHhjectel
I, American wnrkiugma To The competition O
convict and imported contract labor. ]
prafessrs gratitude to all who were disable
y or died ut war, having widows and arphantt
!, It left to Il Democratic House of Represer
!, tatives fha fist effort TO eqnaize both bour
ties and pensions, 1t Processes d pledge {
correct the Irregularities of onr tariff.
i created and has continued them. Its ow
i tariff commission confessed the need OF mos
than 90 per cent reduction. lts Congres
I, gave reduction of less than 4 per, cent
profeesaa the protection of american mans
Il faeturers. II has subjected themto al incrsai
4 iflg q I'D OF manufactured gnnds ard u hops
less competition with manufacturing natiun
not one OF which taxes raw materials.
prufesses To protect all American Industrie
il has Impoverished niany to subaidize fes
1t professes the protection of American labo
II has depleted the returns OF American 81
riculture--an Industry followed By half
our people. Tt processes the equallty of q
men before the housekeeping 20 Tx u
status III cslored eitizens. The acts OF \
Congress were oFerset by the decisions OF !
courts It ssaccepts Il new the0ry OF leadiE
IN the world of reform Its caught crtrutna
are permitted TO cpatrive delays or actu
eanmivanee ia the prosecution. Honeycombs
with corruption and outhreakIng expDsn
S no longer sluck its moral sense. Its hone
~ lne1nbers-ils independent journaIs--no 10
ger maintain q successful contest tor antnol
tn ia ifs causes, Or veto upon nad nomin
VI. tions. That change IL necessary is prov