St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-07-17
Democratic National Cenven-
lion.

Mr.. Morrison of Illinois, chairman of
the committee on resolutions, stepped
to the platform at 9 o'clock Thursday to
present the report of that committee.
His appearance was greetedwith cheers.
TheplatfoIm was read 10y one of the
reading clerks, as follows: =
TUE RESOLUTIONS As PRESENTED.
The democratic party of the Union,
through its representatives in national
convention assembled, recognizes that
as the nation grows older, new issues
are born of time and progress, and old
issues perish. But the fundamental
principles of the democracy. approved
by the united voice of the people, re-
main, aud will ever remain, as the best
and only security 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 supremacy
of the federal government within the
limits of the constitution, will ever
form the true basis of our liberties and
can never ice surrendered without de
strOying that balance of rights and
powers which enables n continent to he
developed in peace, and social order to
he maintained by means of local self
government. But it is Indispensable
for the practical application and en-
forccment of these fundamental prin
ciplcs that the government should not
always be controlled 10y one political
party. Frequent change of administra-
ton il as necessary rs constant recur-
renee to the popular will. Otherwise
abuses grow, and the government, in
stead of being carried on for the
general welfare, becomes an instru-
mentality for imposing heavy burdens
on 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 coun-
try hence change is demanded.
The republican party, :" far as prin-
ciplc i concerned. is Il "reminiscences :;
in practice ii is an organization for
enriching those who control its ma
chincry. The frauds and iObbcrN
which have been brought to light in
every department of the government
are sufficient to have called for reform
within the republican party; yet those
in authority, made reckless by the long
possession of power. have Succumhcd
To its corrupting influence, and have
placed in domination ticket against
which the Independent portion of the
party are in open revolt. Therefore,
a change is demanded.
Such change WAS alike necessary
in 1876. but the will of the people WIS
then defeated 10y fraud which can
never Ice forgotten nor condoned.
Again, in I--O, the change demanded
by the people was defeated by the
lavish use of money contributed by I'M
scrupulous contractors and shameless
iobbers who had hargaincd for unlaw-
ful profits or for high office.
The republican party during its
legal, its stolen and its bought tcuures
of power, has steadily drcayed in mo-
raj character and political capacity.
Its platform promises are now a list OF
its past failures. 1t demands the res
toration of orr navy it has Squander-
ed hundreds of millions to create Il
navy that does not exist. 1t calls upon
congress to remove the burdens under
which American shipping has been de
pressed it imposes and has continued
those burdens. II Processes the policy
of rcscrving the public lands for small
holdings 10y actual settlers il has given
away the peoples heritage till now d
few railroads and non -reSidcnt aliens
individual and corporate, possess 4
Iarnrr area than that of all our farms
between the two seas. 1t Processes 4
preference for free institutions; it or
gained and tried to lcgalize cOntro
of state elections by federal troops. II
Processes Il desire to elevate labor; il
has subjected American workiugmcu
to the competition Of convict aud i'm
ported contract Labor. 1t proteSsc,
gratitude to all who were disabled or
died in the war, leaving widows ant
orphans it left to Il democratic house
of representatives the first effort (,
ruualizc both bounties and pensions
1t pruilcrS Il pledge to correct the il
Irregularities of our tariff; it created aut
has continued them. Its own TART
commission confessed the need of NOR,
than 20 per cent reduction: its congress
gave reduction of less than pc
cent. 1t Processes the protection o
American manufactures it has sub
iectcd them to an increasing flood q
manufactured goods and hopeless
competition with manufacturing ma
tions. not one of which taxes raw ma
tcrialS. Ii Processes to protect al
American Industries it has impovcr
iShcd many to SuhSldc few. II pro
f,sScs the protection of American la
Dor, it has depleted the returns q
American agricuturc-an industry fol
lowed by half our people. ltprofesSe
the equality of all men before the law
attempting tn fix the status of cOlorc,
citizens, the acts of its congress wer
ovcrsct 10y the decision of its courts
1t accepts anew the duty of leading
in the work of progress and reform :;
its caught criminals are PERMITTED T.
escape through contrived delays q
actual conmivance in the prosecution
Honeycomhcd with corruption, ont
breaking exposures no longer shock it
moral sense. Its honest members. it
independents journals, no longer main
tam successful contest for authorit
in its counscls or IA vote upon ba
nominations.
That change is necessary, is prove
10y AN existing surplus of more thai
100000. 900, which has yearly bee
collected from suffering people. Tn
necessary taxation i unjust taxation
We dcnouncr the republican party fo
having failed to relieve the penpl
from crushing war taxes which hav
paralyzed business, crippled industr
and deprived labor of employment an
of just reward.
The democracy pledges itself t
purity the administration from col
ruption, Ia restore economy, to rcviv
respect for law, and tn reduce taNatio
to the lowest limit consistent with du
regard to the preservation of the fait
of the nation to its creditors and pen
sioners. Knowing full well, howeve
that legislation affecting the occupa
tions of the people should he caution