Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1884-07-16
THE PLATFORM.
old Stock Phrases and Sterotyped
Platitudes as Usual.

phrases copyrighted by Bourbon plat
Form makers. A careful inspection
will show that not a single one of the
traditional phrases is missing. So set
and hackneyed were they that the in
toning of the clerk gave the idea that
he was q Bourbon priest chanting a
Democratic litany. The dead and
alive convention refused to be resur-
rected from it's apathy even under the
inspiring music Of the platform recita-
tive, The much-talked-of plank upon
the tariff question was the only one
that attracted any attention. After
ali that had been claimed upon the part
of the reVenue-reformers 1t was a dis
appointment. 1t appears to suit the
so-called revenue-retOrmers and as the
moderate protection people are not dis
pleased with it the plank, as Straddle
ketWeen the two factions, may be re-
~arded as a success. The first two para
graphs of the tariff plank are sops to the
protective element, while the third par
apraph satisfies the reVenue-refOrmerS
The declaration that Federal taxation
shall be exclusively for public purposes
admits of double construction. What
a protectionist may deem a public pur-
pose might be subject OF serious diff
erence with any revenue-refOrmer. 1t
was received cOldly.
1t bitterly denounces the Republican
party and its platform, the promises OF
which are declared to be,a list of the
party's past failures. 1t then proceeds
as follows:
The Democracy pledges itself to purify
the administration from corruption, to, re-
store economy, to revive respect for law,
and to reduce taxation to the lowest limit
consistent with due regard to the preserVa-
ton of the faith of the nation to its credl-
tors and pensioners.
Knowing full well, however, that legisla-
ton affecting the occupations OF the people
should be cautious and conservative IN
method, not in advance of public opinion,
but responsive to its demands, the Demo-
cratic party is pledged to revise the tariff In
spirit of fairness to all interests.
But in making reduction in taxes 1t IS not
proposed to jure any domestic Industries,
but rather to promote their healthy growth.
From the foundation of this government
been the chief source of Federal revenue.
| Such they must continue to be. Moreover
| many Industries have come to rely upon
| legislation for successful continuance so
| that any change of law must be at every
| step regardful of the labor and capital thus
| involved. The process of reform must be
subject in the execution to this PLAIN dictate
of justice.
All taxation shall be limited to the re-
| QuirementS of economical government. Inc
necessary reduction in taxation can and
must be effected without depriving Amer
lean labor of the ability to compete success
fully with foreign labor and without impos-
! ing lower rates of duty than will be ample
to cover any increased cost OF production
| which may exist in consequence OF the nigh
er rate OF wages prevailing IN ms county, county,
! Sufficient revenue to pay all the expenses
| of the Federal Government, economically
administered, including pensions, interest
and principal of the public debt, can be- got,
! under our present system OF taxation, from
| custom house taxes on fewer imported artl-
! Giles, bearing heaviest on articles OF luxury
and bearing lghtest on articles OF necessity.
We therefore denounce the abuses OF the
| existing tariff, and, subject to the preceding
| limitations, we demand that Federal taxa
ton shall be exclusively for public purposes
! and shall not exceed the needs OF the gov
eminent economically administered.
The system of direct taxation, known as
| the internal revenue" is war tax, and so
long as the law continues the money deriv-
| ed therefrom should be sacredly devoted to
the relief of the people from the remaining
| burdens of the war, and be made a fund TO
defray the expense of the care and comfort
of worthy soldiers disabled in line of duty
In the wars of the republic and for the pay
ment of such pensions as Congress may
| from time to time grant to such soldiers a
]
provided; and any surplus should be paid
into the treasury. :.
We favor an American continental policy
| based upon more intimate commercial and
! politcaf relations with the fifteen sister re-
| publics of North, Central and South Amer
| lea, but entangling alliances with none.
| We believe in honest money the gold and
| silver coinage of the Constitution, and a
! 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 it's dealings with the peo-
| Die, to mete out equal and exact justice to
| all citizens of whatever nativity, race, COL
or, or religious or political.
We believe in a free ballot and a fair
| people the noble struggle Of the Democrats
| In the Forty-ffth and Forty-sixth Con-
! crosses. by which reluctant Republican
Opposition was compelled to assent to legis-
| latiOn making everywhere illegal the pres
ence of troops at the polls, as the conclus-
! i've 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. yex
the citizen and interfere with individual
form; and the compensation OF all United
States officers by fixed salaries; the separa-
ton 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 prop
erty. to the prevention of monopoly and to
the strict enforcement of individual rights
| against corporate abuses we hold that the
welfare of society depends. upon scrupu'
lous regard for the rights of property as de-
fined by law.
We believe that labor is best rewarded
where it is freest and most enlightened. 1t
should therefore be fostered and cherished.
We favor the repeal of all laws restricting
Che free action of labor, and the enactment
of laws by which labor organizations may
be incorporated, and of all such legislation
as will tend to enlighten the people as to
Che fueTelations Of capital and labor.
We believe that tile public lands ought,
as far as possible, be Kept as hOmesteadS
for actual settlers; that all l1nearnef lands
heretofore improvidently granted to rail-
publican party should be restored to the
public domain; and that no more grants of
land shall be made to corporations, or be
abseptees, g
We are opposed to all propositions which
eral Government into machine for collect
ing taxes to be distributed among the
states, or the citizens thereof.
In reaffirming the declaration Of the
Democratic platform of 1856, that the lib
eral principles embodied by Jefferson in
the Declaration of Independence, and
sanctioned in the Constitution which make
ours the land Of liberty and the asylum OF
the oppressed Of every nation. have ever
been cardinal principles in the Democratic
| faith" we, nevertheless, do not sanction
the Importation of foreign labor, or the adj
mission Of serviTe races, untitled by habits,
training, religion or kindred for absorption
into the great bodyof'our people, or for the
! citizenship which our laws confer. Ameri-
can civilization demands that against, the
immigration Or importation Of Mongolians
| to these shores our gates be closed.
The Democratic party insists that it 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 assured. United States
papers of naturaliza.io., issued by courts
of competent jurisdiction, must De T csfn
ed by the Executive and Legislative depart
m foedisn Of &uI ewP government and by all
1t is an imperative duty of this govern
ment to efficiently protect all the, rights Of