St. Landry democrat., 1884-07-26

OSuO<IatS III Gl0 rory dlAA1 HOIIJ
sixth Congresses by which q reluctant Re-
publican opposition was compelled to assent
to legislation making everywhere Illegal the
presence of troops at the polls aSGne conclu-
sive proof that Democratic administration
will preserve liberty with order.
The selection of Federal officers for the
Territories should be restricted 70 citizens
previously resident therein.
We oppose sUmptuary laws when vex the
citizens and interfere with Individual liberty.
We favor honest civil service reform and the
compensation of United States officers by
fixed salaries; the separation 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
lead to the equitable distribution of property
to the prevention of monopoly and TO the
strict enforcement of individual rights against
corporate abuse, we ho'd that the welfare of
society depends upon scrupulous regard for
the rights of property as defined by law.
LABOR AND LAND.
We believe that labor is best rewarded
where if is freest and most enlightened. 1t
should therefore be fostered and cherished
We favor the repeal of all laws restricting the
free action of labor and enactment of laws by
which labor organizations may De incorporat
ed and of all such legislation as will tend to
enlighten the people as to the true relations
of capital and labor; believe that the public
lands ought, as far as possible to be kept as
homesteads Tor actual settlers: that all I'M
earned lands heretofore improv1 lently grant
ed to railroad corEorations by the action OF
the Republican party should De restored to
the public domain. and that no more grants of
land shall be made to corporations or be al.
lowed to fall into the ownership OF alien abb
Sentees.
We are opposed to all propositions which,
upon any pretext, will convert the general
government into machine for collecting
taxes to be distributed among the States or
the citizens thereof.
FOREIGN POLICY.
In reaffrming the declaration of the Demo
cratic platform of 1856. that s'the liberal prtn-
ciples embodied by Jefferson in the Declare
ton of Independence and sanctioned in the
Constitution, which make ours the land of lib
erty 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 for
eign labor or the admission of seryle
races unfittei by habits of training, religion
or kindred for absorption into the great body
of our people, or for the citizenship which our
laws confer. American civilization demands
that against the immigration or importation
OF Mongolans 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 pro-
lection may be assured, United states
papers of naturalization issued by courts
of competent Jurisdiction must be respected
by the executive and legislative Departments
of our own Government, and by ali foreign
powers. It is an imperative duty of this
Government to efficiently protect all the
ghts of persons and property of every
American citizen in foreign lands. and de-
mand and enforce full reparation for any in
vasion thereof. An American citizen is only
res pOnsibIe to his own Government for any
act done in his own country or under
her rag and can only be tried there
for on her own soil and according to
her laws, and no power exists IN
this Government to expatriate an Anne lean
citizen to be tried in any foreign land for any
such act. This country mas never had Well
ieined and executed foreign policy save I'M
Ter Demo cratic administration, That policy
mas ever been in regard to foreign nations,
80 lonE as they do not act detrimental TO the
interests of the country or hurtful to our cltl.
ems to let them alone. That. as result OF
ibis policy we recall the acquisition of Louis
ana, Florida, California and of the adjacent |
Mexican territory by purchase alone. and |
contrast these grand acquis tons OF Demo-
.ratsc craftsmanship with the purchase OF I
ALASKA, the sole fruit of Republican admin"
stration OF nearly a quarter of century.
THE MISSISSIPPI.
The Federal Government should care for |
ind improve the Mississippi River. and other |
treat water ways of the republic, SO as to Sc I
,ure for the interior States easy aud cheap |
to tide water.
MERCHANT MARINE.
Under long period of Democratic rule
ind policy, our merchant marine was fast
,ver5aking, and on the pointof outstripping
If Republican rule and pol cy our commerce
las been left to British bottoms, and almost
las the American flag been swept Off the
ligh seas. Instead of the Republican pa tvs
British policy we demand for the people of the
Uni ed States an American policy. Under
Democratic rule and policy our merchants
,very port successfully searched out
market for the varied products
It Anne lean industry. Under quarter of a
entury of Repnbt can rule and policy, de-
"a I.T mi fast adv aNtn 1
lat0ns in high paid labor, favorable climates
md teeming soil, despite the freedom of trade
LmoTg all these United States; despite their
population by the foremost races of men
nd an annual immigration of the young,
hrifty and adventurous of all nations; dc.
pite our freedom here from the inherited
'urdens of fe and Industry in Old World
DOnarchies-their costly war navies, their
-aSt tax.consuming, non-produclng standing
twenty We hrs of peace, that
republican rule and policy have managed to
the control of the markets of the
rorld Instead of the Republican party's
british policy we demand in behalf of the
american Democracy. an American policy.
instead of the Republican party's scredit ID
cheme and false pretense of friendship for
Ame, lean labor, expressed by imposing taZes,
e demand in behalf of the Democracy free
ON for American labor by reducing taxes, to
he end that these United States may compete
18th unhindered powers for the priulacy
mong nations in all the arts of peace and
ruitS of liberty.
TILDEN.
With profound regret we have been ap-
rised by the venerable statesman, through
II ose person was struck that blow at the vital
rinciple of republics tacquiescence in the
ill of the majority, that he can not permit us
gain to place in his hands the leadership of
le Democratic hosts, for the reason that the
chieyement of reform in the administration
the Federal Government is an undertaking
ow too heavy for his age and failing strength
ejoicing that his life has been pro.
,nged until the general Judgment of our fell
NV countrymen s united in the wish that
rong were righted in bis person, for the De-
locracy of the United Stlfes we offer to him
his withdrawal from public cares not only
Ut respectful sgmpat y and esteem. but also
lat best homage of freemen, the pledge of
ow fnseparable in the history of this
lnntrY from the lahors and the name /