The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-07-16
pLATF0RM
Adopted b, the National Conven-
ton.

he DmotatIc party OF the Union
through its representatives in National
Convention assmbled, recognizes that al
the nation grow older new issues are born
of time and prsress, and old issues perish
but the fundamental principles Of the Dem
ocracy, approTeby the united voice of the
people, remain'and will ever remain a
the best and oug security for the continu
anee OF free gdernment. the preservation
OF personal lights, the equality O
all citizens efore the law, the re
served right, Of the States, suprem-
acy of the Rderal Government, with
in the limitsbf the Constitution, viii
ever form tn true basis Of our liber
/ ties, and can ever be surrendered without
| destroying that balance eerignts and power
which enables continent to be developed
in peace aud sociai order to be maintained
| by means of local seli-goverRment. But /
/ is Indispensable for the practical applica
ton and enforcement OF these fundamental
| principles that the government should no
| always be controlled by one political party
| Frequent change of administration is a
| necessary as constant recurrence to tn
| popular will, otherwise abuses grow an'
the government instead of being carried oil
| strumentality Tor imposing heavy burden
ON the many Who are governed for the ben
| eft OF the fewwho govern. Public servant
thus become lrbitary rulers.
This is nov the condition of the coun
try hence change is demanded. Tht
Republican party, so far as principle is con
| cerned, is a rsminiscence; in practice it il
an organization for enriching those wh'
control its machinery. The frauds and job
berry which Lave been brought to light il
every department of the government arr
sufficient to have called for reform within
the Republican party, yet those in author
ily, made reckless by the long possession
of power, have succumbed TO its corruptins
influence, aud hive placed in nomination ;
ticket against which the independent por
ton of the party are in open revolt. There
fore, a change i demanded.
Such change was alike necessary il
1876, bat the viii Of the people was thcr
defeated by fraud which can never b,
Forgotten nor eondoned Again in 1884,
the change demanded by the people was de
Seated b. the lavish use Of money contrib
uted by unserupulous contractors AM
shameless jobbers, who had bargained 40
unlawful profits or for high office. TIL,
Republican party during its legal, its stolel
and its bought tenurts Of power, has stead
lily decayed immoral character and politi
zeal capacity. Its platform promises ar
now list OF lis past failures.
1t demands the restoration OF our navy
It has squandaed hundreds of millions Il
create navy that does not exist,
1t calls upon Congress- to remove thu
burdens under which American shipping
has been depressed. 1t imposed and ha
continued those burdens.
II PROCESSES the policy OF reserying tn
public lands for small holdings by actua
settlers. 1t has given away the people,
resident aliens, individual and corporate
possess n larger area than that of all on
farms between the two seas.
1t Processes preference for free insti
buttons. Ii organized and tried to lie
galize control OF State electiC rs by FEEDER
al troops.
1t processes desire TO elevate labor. /
has subjected American workingmen t
the composition OF convict and imported
contract labor.
II PROCESSES SrAastdcie to all y no were ei.'
s0led, or rIed i'll the war, leaving widow
and orphans. 1t left to a Democrat,
House Of Representatives the first effor
to equalize both bounties and pensions.
1t protlers a pledge to ct the irregu
larities Of our tariff. 1t created and hai
continued them Its own Tariff Commits
sion confessed the need OF more thar
twenty per cent reduction. Its Congress
gave q reduction of less than four pei
cent.
II processes the protection of American
manufactures. 1t has subjected them to
an increasing flood of manufactured goods,
and hopeless competition with manufac-
turing nations, not one of which taxes raw
materials.
1t processes to protect all American
industries. 1t has Impoverished many to
bsidize few.
Il processes the protection of American
labor. 1t has depleted the returns of
American agriculture industry follow
ed by hall our people.
II PROCESSES the equality of all men be-
fore the law. Attempting to fix the status
OF colored citizens, the acts of its Con-
gre IS were oyeF-rided by the decisions Of
its Courts.
Il ''aceepts anew the duty OF leading in
The work OF progress and reform" Its
caught criminals are permitted to escape
contrived delays or actual conni-
vance iu the prosecution. Honey -eombed
with corruption, outbreaking exposures no
longer shock its moral sense. Its honest
its independent Journals, no
longer MAINTAIN successful contest for au-
thority in its council or veto upon bad
That change is necessary is proved by an
existing surplus of more than 100000, 600,
which has yearly been collected from a sui
iering people UNNECESSARY taxation is
unjust ta1atioR. We denQnnee the Re
publican party for having failed TO relieve
he people from crushing war taxes whic
ave paralyzed business, crippled industry,
md. deprived labor of employment and o
ust reward
The Democracy pledges itself to purify
he administration from corruption, to re-
tore economy, TO revive respect for law,
md to reduce taxation to the lowest
INIT cont istent with due regard to the
OF the faith of the Nation to
IS creditors and pensioners.
Knowing full well, however, that legisla-
ion affecting the occupations of the people
hopld be cautious and conservative in
lethod, not in advance of public opinion,
ut responsive TO its demands, the Demo- |
ratio party is pledged to revise the tariff |
D spirit OF fairness to all interests.
But in making reduction in taxes, it is |
OF proposed to injure any domestic idus-
lies, but rather - promote their healthy /
rowth. From the foundation of his Gov I
taxes collected at the Custom
louise have been the chief source Of feder-
revenue. Such they must continue to
:. Moreover, many industries have come
rely upon legislation for successful con-
nuenee, 50 that any change of law must be
every step regardful of the labor and
lpital Thus involved. The process of re-
rm must BE subject in the execution to
is plain dictate Of justice.
All taxation shall be limited to the
quirements of economical government
he necessary reduction in taxation can
d must be effected without depfiying
merican labor of the ability to compete
ecessfnlly with foreign labor, and without
posing lover rates of duty than viii Be
nple to cover any INCREASED cost OF pro-
lction which may exist IN consequence Of
E higher rate Of wages prevailing in this
untgy.
Sufficient revenue to pay al the expen.
] nf the Federal Government, ecomicaIly :
minlstered, including pensions, interest ]
q principal Of the public debt, can be
s under our present system Of taxation, e
IN custom house taxeson fewer imported | /
icless bearing heaviest on articles OF
xary, and bearing lighiest on articles Of |,
eessify. i
Ne Therefore denouEce the abuses Of the | q
IsfIng tariff ard subject to the preceding !.
lltations We demand that federal taxation :
81 be exclusively Tor public purposes
shall not exceed the needs 81 the Gov +
aenl economically administered.
The system 81 direct taxation known a
internal Revenue, IS war tar. ana
long as The Inv continues tne money i.
iFed thereIr0m should Be saeredlr a. {
81 g The relief of tie people nom TIE 2
laining bnrsisns 81 lie var, AMI IS n
DC fund 10 deirsy expense 81 tie care X
e9mfoEt Ct worthy soldiers disabled ii :;
nt duty u the wafs 81 The Republic ana
l1e yuaent q such pensions S conrress =
from .Inse a Inns gram - such soldiers g