Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-08-15
POLITICAL.

tighten the people as TO the true rotations of
capital and labor
We believe that the public lands ought. as far
rs possible, TO be kept as homesteads for actual
settlers; that all unearned lands heretofore i'm
proyidently granted 10 railroad corporations by
the action OF the Repub lean party, should be
restored TO the public domain and no more
grants shall be made to corporations or be allow.
ed to fall into the Ownership OF allen sbsentees.
We are opposed to all propositions which, up
on any pretext would convert the general Gov.
ernmeEt into machine for the collection Of tax.
es to be distributed amoug the States or the citl.
zens thereof
In effect the declaration Of the Democratic plat
form Of 1856 that 9Th. liberal principle em.
bodied by jefferson In the Declaration Of Inde
pendence and sanctioned in the Constitution,
which make ours the land OF liberty and the asy-
lum Of the oppressed Of every nation" have ever
been the cardinal principles In the Democratic
faith. We, nevertheless, do not sanction the i'm
portation Of foreign labor or the admission Of
servlle races untitled by habits, training, relgi
on 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
Mongolisns to these shores our gates be closed.
The Democratic party insists that II 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 protection may be as
sured, the United States papers OF naturalization,
issued by courts Of competent Jurisdiction. must
berespected by the execu i've and Legislative de
partments Of our own Government and by all
foreign Powers.
It is the imperative duty Of this government
to efficiently protect all the rights Of her sons
and the property OF every American citizen In
foreign lands and demand and enforce full repair
alton for any invasion thereof. An American
citizen Is only responsible to his own govern
ment for any act done in his country or under
her flag and laws and can only be tried therefor
on her own soil snd according to her laws. and
no power exists In this government to expatriate
an American citizen to be tried in any foreign
land for any such act.
This country has never had we'll defined and
educated foreign policy save under Democratic
ADMINISTRATION. That policy has ever been In re-
gard to foreign nations, SO long as they do not
act in manner detrimental to the interests Of
the country hurtful to our citizens to let them
alone. As the result of this policy we recall the
acquisition Of Louisiana, Florida, California and
Of the adjacent Mexican territory, by purchase
alone, and contrast these grand acquisitions Of
Democratic craftsmanship with the purchase Of
| Alaska, the sole fruit Of a Republican admins
| tration Of nearly quarter OF a century.
The general government should care for and
improve the Mississippi river and the other great
water ways Of the republic, so as to secure for
| the interior States easy and cheap Transports
| ton to tide water.
Under the long period OF Democratic policy
bour merchant marine was fast oNertaking and
on the point Of outstripping that of Great Br
balm Under twenty years OF Republican rule
and policy our commerce has been lost TO the
British and almost has the American flag been
| kept of the high seas. Instead Of the Repuhli-
can party's British policy. we demand for the
people Of the United States an American policy.
Uuder Democratic rule and policy our merchants
and sailors, flying the stars and stripes In every
port were successfullysearching out market for
the varied products Of American industry. Un-
der quarter Of century Of Republican rule
in r,tfa.t ,taoa
all other nations In high paid labor, favorable
climates AMI teeming soils; despite the freedom
OF trade among all these United Stat s; despite
their population OF the foremost races OF men.
and annual immigration Of the thrifty and ad-
venturous Of all nations: despite our freedom
here from the Inherited burdens Of liie and in
dustry In the Old World monarchies, their costly
war navies, their vast tax consuming standing
armies despite twenty years OF peace, that Re.
publican rule and policy have managed to sur
render to Great Britain, along with our com
merce, the control OF the markets Of the world.
Instead of the Republican partys British policy.
we demand, on behalf Of the American Democ
racy. an American policy. Instead Of the Re-
tences Of friendship TO American labor, expressed
by imposing taxes, we demand, in behalf OF the
Democracy, Freedom Of American labor by re-
ducing taxes, TO the end that these United
States may compete, with unhindered powers,
for a supremacy among the nations in all the
arts OF peace and the fruits OF liberty.
With profound regret we have been apprlsed
by the venerable statesman, through whose per
son was struck that blow at the vital principles
Of the republic acquiescence In the will OF the
majority-that he cannot permit US again to
place in his hands the leadership of the Demo
cratic host. for the reason that the achievement
Of reform In the administration Of the Federal
government Is an undertaking now too heavy for
his age and failing strength. Rejoicing that his
life has been prolonged until the general judg
ment Of our felow-csuntry men Is united in the
wish that the wrong were righted In his person,
Tor the Democracy Of the United States We offer
to him In his withdrawal from its cares not only
our respectful sympathy and esteem, but also
that best homage Of freemen-the pledge OF our
devotion TO the principles and the course nov
insep srable In the history OF this republic from
the leadership and the name OF Samuel J. Til
den.
With this statement Of the hopes. principles
and purposes CT the Democratic party, the great
issue of reform and change in administration is
submitted 10 the people in the calm confidence
that the popular voice will pronounce In favor of
new men and new and more favorable c0ndi
tons for the growth OF industry, the extension of
trade, the employment and due reward Of labor
and OF capital, and the general welfare OF the
country