Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-07-18
The Democratlc Platform.

The platform adopted by the Democratic
national convention at Chicago last week is a
lengthy document, which probably will never
be read by one in fifty of the voters of the
country, whether Democratic or Republican.
1t opens by laying down as fundamental
principles" the preservation Of personal
rights, the equality Of all citizens before the
law, the reserved rights of the states, and the
supremacy of the federal government within
the limits of the constitution" 1t says that
a change is demanded because at is indispen-
sable for the practical application and enforce.
ment of these fundamental principles that the
government should not always be controlled
by one political party" In 1876 such change
vas defeated by fraud which can never be
forgotten nor condoned." "Again, in 1880,
tho change demanded by the people was de-
feated by the lavish use of money contributed
by INSCRIPTIONS contractors and shameless
jobbers who had bargained for unlawful prof
its or for high Office" A long paragraph is
devoted to denouncing the Republican party
and rehearsing its shortcomings. The accu-
mulated surplus of 800, 900, 900 is denounced
as money wrung from a suffering people. The
tariff plank is in full as follows:
"The Democratic party is pledged to revise the tar
i'll in spirit OF fairness to oil interests. But in max
ing reduction in taxes it is not proposed to niure any
domestic interests but rather promote their healthy
growth. From the foundation of this government
taxes collected at the custom house have been the
chief source OF federal revenue Such they must con-
unue to be. Moreover many industries have come to
rely upon legislation for successful continuance so
that change of law must be at every step regard
full Of the labor and capital thus Involved The pro.
of reform he gubippt In no q,
this plain dictate Of justice-all taxation shall be lin
tied to the requirements of economical government
The necessary reduction In taxation can and must be
effected without deprying American labor Of the abl-
ty to compete successfully with foreign labor and
without imposing lower rates Of duty than will be am
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 10 pay
all the expenses Of the federal government econom-
ealy 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 articles, bearing heaviest on arti
oles Of luxury and lghes articles Of necessity We
therefore denounce the abuse of the existing tariff
and, subject to the preceding limitations we demand
purposes and shall not exceed the needs of the gov
eminent economically administered
From this point the platform goes on to de.
clare for an American continental policy bas-
cd upon intimate commercial and political re-
ations with our sister republics in North and
South America, for honest money, for the
equality of all men before the law, and for
"a free ballot and fair count" The exact
language on this latter point Is
ave believe in free ballot aEd a fair count, and
Ne recall TO the memory Of the people the noble srug-
&c 81 the Democrats in the t5th and A6th Congress-
by Mhleh reluctant Republican opposition was COM
PEELED to assent to legislation making everywhere Tile
~. the presence Of troops at the polls the conou-
hlFe PROOF that Democratic administration will pre-
serve liberty with order"
One imagines the man who wrote this stand
ing with thumb at nose and fingers gyrating
while the plank was being read.
The next essential point is in favor of the
rights of labor and of laws favorable to labor
organizations. The Chinese are given the
cold shoulder in clause which denounoes the
importation Of foreign labor or "the admis-
sion of servile races untitled for absorption
ipto the great body of our people," It is de-
clarea tp be the duty of the government to
maintain the rights OF naturalized citizens,
and to care for and improve the Mississippi