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

money without loss.
Asserting the equality ri men before the
law, we bold that II Is the duty Of the Gov.
eminent In It's dealing with the peonle TO
meto out equal and exact Justice 10 all citi.
zens, OF whatever nativity, race. color. or
persuasion, religious or political.
We believe In a free ballotand fair count,
and we recall 10 the memory Of the peoplc
the noble struggle OF the Democrats in the
Foriy-ffth and Foriy.sixth Congresses, by
which The reluctant Republican opposltion
was compelled 10 assent to legislation
making everywhere Illegal the presence OF
troops at the polls, rs conclusive proof
that Democratic administration will pre-.
serve liberty with order.
The selection Of Federal officers for the
Territories should be restricted TO citizens
previously resident therein.
We oppose sumptuary laws, which yex
the citizen and interfere with individual
liberty.
We favor honest civil.scrvice reforms
and the compensation OF all 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 a citizenship.
While we favor all legislation which will
tend to an equitable distribution Of proper
ty, TO the prevention OF monopoly. and 10
strict enforcement OF individual rights
against corporate abuses, we hold that the
welfare uf society depends upon a scrupu-
lous regard for the rights Of property as
defined by the laws.
we believe that labor Ia best rewarded
where it ia freest aud most enlightened. IL
should therefore be iostered and cher he'd.
We favor repeal Of all laws restricting
the free action OF labor, and the enactment
q laws by which labor organizations may
be incorporated, and OF all such legislation
as will tend ito enlighten the people as to
the true relation Of capital ard labor.
We believe that public land ought as far
rs possible to he kept as h0mesteads for ac-
tual settlers; that all unearned lands here
tOiore improvidently granted to railroad
corporations by the action o? the Republic
can party should be restored TO the public
domain, and that no more grants OF land
shall De made TO corporations, or be allowed
10 fall in the ownership OF alien absentees.
Weare opposed to all propositions which
upon any pretext would convert the Gen.
eral Government into machine for collect
ing taxes TO be distributed among the
States or citizens thereof.
ResflirIning the declarations OF the Oe-
mocraiic platform Of 1856, that "the
liberal principles embodied by JET
fersoH in the Declaration Of indie
pendence, and sanctioned in the Con-
stitution which make ours land OF liberty
and an asylum OF the oppressed Of every
nation, have ever been the cardinal princi-
pies in the Democratic faith" We,
nevertheless, do not sanction the impor-
"a Il lei. L. LII -,
Of servile races untitled by habits,
training, religion. or kindred, for absorp-
ton into the great body OF our people
or for citizenship whicl our laws confer.
American civilization demands that against
the immigration or importation OF MongO-
lians TO these shores our gates be closed.
The Democratic party insists that il is the
duty OF the 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 protec-
ton may be assured the United States pa
pcrs of naturalization issued by the courts
Of competent jurisdiction must be respect
ed by the executive and legislative depart.
ments OF our own Government and by all
foreign Powers. IL Is an imperative duty
Of this Government to efficiently protect all
the rights of persons and property OF every
American citizen in foreign lands, and de-
mand and enforce the full reparatiOn OF
any invasion thereof.
An American citizen Is only responsible
TO his own Government for any act done In
his own country or under her flag, and can
only be tried thereupon on her own soil,
and according TO her laws, and no power
exists i'm this Government to eXpatriate an
American citizen TO be tried in any foreign
land for any such act,
This country has never had a well-defned
and executed foreign policy save under
Democratic administration. That policy
has ever been in regard TO foreign nations
so long as they do no act detrimental to the
interests Of the country or hurtful 10
our citizens to let them alone; that
rs a result Of this policy we recall the ac-
QUESTION OF Louisiana, Florida, California,
and the adjacent Mexican territory by pur-
chase alone, and contrast these grand ac-
QUESTIONS OF Democratic craftsmanship
with the purchase of Alaska, the sole
fruit Of Republican administration OF
nearly quarter Of century.
The Federal Government should care for
and improve the Mississippi river and other
great waterways Of the republic, so as to
secure Tor the interior States easy and cheap
Trans pOftdtiOn 10 lldc-WaleT.
Under long period Of Democratic rule
! and policy our merchant marine was fast
overtlkiug and on the point OF outStrip-
ping that OF Great Britain. Under twenty
years Of Republican rule and policy our
commerce has been left TO the British bot
toms, and almost has the American flag been
swept of the high seas. Instead OF the Re
publican party's British policy, we demand
. -t,t 4
can policy. Under the Democratic rule and
policy our American ships and sailors, fly
lng the starr and stripes in every port, sue
cessiully searched out a market for varied
products Of American industry. Under a
quarter of a century Of Republican rule
and policy, despite our manifest adj
VsntageS over all other nations, in
high-paid labor, favorable climate. and
teeming soils, despite the freedom Of trade
among all these United States, despite their
population by the foremost races OF men.
and an annual immigration OF the young,
thrifty, and adventurous OF all nations;
despite our freedom here from the inherited
burdens Of life and industry in the Old
World mOnarchieS, their costly war-nayies,
their vast taX-consuming, non-producing
standing armies despite twenty years OF
peace that Republican rule and policy have
managed to surrender to Great Britain,
along with our commerce, the control OF
the markets OF the world; Instead OF the
Republican party's British policy we de-
mand in behalf OF American Democracy an
American policy. Instead Of the Hepub-
lican party's dlscredited scheme and false
pretence OF friendship for American labor
expressed by imposing taxes, we demand
in behalf OF Democracy freedom for Ameri-
can labor by reducing taxes, TO the end
that these United States may compete with
unlhndered Power.for prlmacy among ma.
tions In all th e arts OF peace and fruits OF
liberty.
With profound regret we have been ap-
prised by the venerable statesman through
whose person was struck that blow at the
vital principles OF republics (acquiescence
in the will OF the mai ority) that he cannot
permit us again 10 place in his hands the
leadership OF the Democratic hosts for rea-
sons that the achievement OF reform in the
administration Of the Federal Government
IAN undertaking now too heavy for his age
and failing strength, Rejoicing that his
life has been prolonged until the
general judgment OF our fellow-coun-
trymen is united in the wish that
the wrong were Tighted in his per-
son for the Democracy OF the United
States, we offer to him in his with
drawal from public cares not only our
respectful sympathy and esteem, but also
that best homage OF freemen, the pledge Of
our devotion TO principles and causes, now
the inseparable history OF this republic
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