Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-07-11


A delegate from Arkansas offered resc-
milton shrogatiug and disseminating in the
snture the two-thirds rule In the nomina-
tio1 Of candidates for President and Vice.
President.
Law the resolution on the table, character
izlng II as a revolutionary proposition.
Mr.. Albeit. OF New Jersey, said Il was
absurd Tor this Convention 10 attempt TO
T,.ke rules for the nextgonveutien, aud
no moved TO postpone the resolution indof-
nltely, Mr.. Cochran withdrawing hts mo-
ton.
The question was taken, and the motion
"a postpone indefinitely was carried.
Atg L. VI. Mr.. Morrison, OF Illinois,
chairman 81 the Committee on Resolutions,
s,fpptd 10 the platform TO present the re-
nort Of hat committee. His appearance
was greeted with cheers.
Tbe plstiorm was read by one OF the
reading clerks.
The Platform.
Tie Democratic party OF the Union.
through it's reprcs entatives In National
Convention assembled, recognizes that as
Tho nation grows older new issues are born
of time and progress and old issues perish;
bnt the fundamental principles OF the De-
mocracy approved by the united voice OF
fhe people remain, and will ever remain, rs
the hest and only security for the con-
til.uance OF free government, the pre-
seryation az personal rights, the equality
of eli citizens before the law, the
reserved rights of States. and the
supremacy Of Federal Government within
the limits OF the Constitution will ever form
the true basis Of our liberties, and can
never he surrendered without destroying
that balance Of right and power which en-
able the continent 10 be developed in peace
and social order TO he maintained by means
az local self-goyernmcnia. But II is indis-
uens,,ble for the practical application and
enforcement Of these fundamental princi-
nle. that the Government should not
always be controlled by one political
marty. Frequent changes OF Admin
Iteration is As necessary az the con-
st.n, recurrence 10 popular Will; other
wise abuses grow, and the Govern
mont instead Of being carried on for the
general welfare. becomes an instrument
tality for imposing heavy burdens upon
The many who are governed for the benefit
OF the few who govern. Public servants
thus become arbitrary rulers. This is now
the condition OF the country; hence
change is demanded.
qHE REPUBLICAN PARTY-A "REMINISCENCES.
The Republican party, so far as principle
i concerned, Is q Renaissance. In prac-
tice il Is an organization for enrichiug
those who control Its machinery, The
frauds and jobbery which have been
brought to light in every DEPART
Inent oi the Coz eminent are sufficient to
have called for reform within the Republic
can party; yet those in authority, made
reckless by long possession OF power.
have Succumbed TO its cOrruptiug inllu-
ence. and have placed in nomination
ticket against which the Independent por-
ton OF the party are in open revolt. There
fore change is demanded. Sucha change
was alike necessary in 1876, but the will Of
the people was then defeated by fraud
which can never he forgotten, nor condoned
again. la 1850 the change demanded by
the people was defeated by lavish use OF
money contributed by unscrupulous con-
tractors and shameless iobbers who had
bargained for unlawful profits OF for high
offices.
The Republican party during its legal,
MS stolen, and its bought tenure OF power,
has steadily dccayed in moral character
and political capacity.
IT'S PROMISES AND PROFESSIONS.
Its plalfOrm-promiSes are now list Of
its past failures. II demands the restora-
tion Of our navy; il has sqUanCered hum
dredS OF millions 10 create navy that
docs not exist; IL calls upon Congress to
remove the burdens under which Ameri-
can shipping has been depressed; il i'm
posed and has continued these burdens
il processes policy OF rcserying public
lands for small holdings by actual
giN nonnIpSF
heritage. till now a few railroads and non
resident aliens, individual and corporate,
uos>ts IS a larger area than that Of all ~ our
farms between the two seas; it processes
preference for free Institutions; it organ
lied and tried 10 legaliZe control OF state
elections by Federal troops; 1t processes
a desire TO elevate labor; If has sub
iectcd American wOrkingmen TO COM
petition OF convict and imported contract
laIor; il processes gratitude to all who
were disabled or died in war leaving wi
dows aud orphans; il left to the democratic
House Of Representatives the first effort 10
equalize both bounties and pensions;
Il protiers pledge to correct the IT.
regulaTities oi our tariff; It created and
has continued them; its own tariff com
mission confessed the need OF more than %
per cent. reduction. Its Congress gave
reduction Of Hss than per cent. It pro-
feSses protection Of American manuiac-
lures; it has subjected them 10 an increag-
ing flood Of manufactured goods and hope
less competition with manufacturing nl-
tions-nOt one OF which taxes raw mate
rials. processes TO protect all American
industries; Il has impoverished many to
eubsdize a few. 1t processes protection OF
American labor; il has depleted the re-
turns of American agriculture, an industry
followed by half OF our people. pro-
fesses equality OF all men before the law;
attempting to fix the status Of cOlOred citi-
zCns. the acts Of il Congress were Overset
by decisions Of its courts. II accepts new
du:y Of leading in the work OF progress
and reform; H. caught criminals are per-
mitted 10 escape through cOnTiyed delays
or actual cOnniyance in prosecution.
HouCycombed with corruption, outbreak
ing exposure no longer shocks its moral
sense. lis honest members, its indepen-
dent Journals no longer maintain sue
cessful contest for authority in its
counsels or vote upon bad nOmina-
tons. That change is necessary is
proved by an existing surplus of more
than S1O0.0CO,O00, which has yearly been
collected from the suffering people. Un-
necessary taxation is unjust taxation. We
hfbhhuN' ttt h'lNbtANNu pAtf IN HAWKS
failed 10 relieve the people from crushing
war-taxes. witch have paralyzed business,
crippled industry, aud deprived labor OF
employment and OF just reward.
PLEDGES OF THE DEMOCRACY.
The Democracy pledges itself to purify
the administration from corruption; TO
restore economy; 10 revive respect for law
snd reduce taxation TO is lowest limit
consistent with its due reward; 10 the
preservation Of the faith OF the nation TO
lis creditors and pensioners; knowing
full well, however, that legislation affect
ing the occupations OF the people should
be cautious and conservative in method,
not IL advance OF public money, but re-
sponsiye TO lis demands. The Democratic
party Is pledged to revise the tariff in a
spirit OF fairness TO all interests, but in
making reduction in taxes II Is not pro-
posed TO injure any domestic industries,
but rather 10 promote their healthy growth.
From the foundation OF this Government
the taxes collected at the custom-house had
been the chief source OF Federal revenue.
Such they mnSt continue TO be. More
over, many industries have come to
rely upon Legislation for successful con-
tiruance; so that any change OF law
must be al every step Tegardful OF
the labor and capital thus involved.
The process OF reform must be subject in
execution TO this plain dictate OF instice.
All taxation shall be limited 10 the reoinre-
~ economical -.