Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1884-07-11
IHE PLATFORM,
a Ringing Declaration of PIiuCipIos by tho
NsttOnAI Democracy.

NsltOhAi democracy,
At 9p. m. Mr.. Morrison, of H., chair
man Of the Committee on resolutions,
stepped to the platform to present the re-
port vi that committee. His appearance
was greeted with cheers. The platform
was read by one Of the reading clerks, as
follows
The Democratic party OF the Union,
through its representatives in natiOCal
convention assembled, recognizes that as
the nation grows older new issues are born
OF time and progress, aud old issues per.
ish. But the fundamental principles OF
the Democracy, approved by tho united
voice Of the peoplc, remain, and will ever
remain, as the best and only security for
the continuance of free government. The
preservation of personal rights, the
equality of ali citizens before the law,
the reserved rights of the states
and the supremacy Of the Federal gov
eminent within the limits of the cUnstitu
tlon will ever form the true basis of our
liberties and eau never be surrendered
without destroying that balance OF rights
and powers which enables q continent to
be developed in peace, and social order 10
DO maintained by means of local self
government but it is Indispensable for
tho practical operation and enforcement
OF these fundamental principles that the
government should not always be cou.
trolIed by one political power. Frequent
change of administration is as necessary
as constant recurrence to the popular will
Otherwise abuses grow, aud the govern
ment, instead Of being carried on for the
general welfare, becomes au instrlmen.
taIity for imposing heavy burdens on the
many who are governed for the benefit of
the few who govern. Pubic servants
thus become arbitrary rulers. This is now
the condition OF the country-hence
change is demanded.
Hepnbiicsn RecKIossness OF rover.
The Republican party, So far as princi.
pie is Concerned, is "Reminiscences. In
practice, II IS an organization for enriCh-
ing those who control its machinery. The
frauds and jObbery 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 reck.
less by the long possession of power, have
succumbed to It's corrupting influence and
have placed in nomination a 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 tho will
OF the people was then defeated by a
fraud which can never be forgotten nor
condoned. Again in 1880 the change do.
manded by the people was defeated by the
lavish use of money contributed by un.
scrupulous contractors and shameless Job.
bers who had bargained for unlawful
profits or for high office. The Republican
party during its legal, Its stolen and its
bought tenutes of power has steadily de.
cayed in moral character aud political
capacity. It's platform promises are now
list OF its past failures IL demands the
restoration of our navy; it has sQuaudered
hundred OF millions to create navy that
does not exist. IL calls upon Congress TO
remove the burdens under which Ameri.
can shipping has been depressed; it i'm.
posed and has continued those burdens.
IL processes the policy of reserving the
public lands for small holdings by
actual settlers; it has given away the
peoples heritage, till now few railroads
aud nonresident alieEs, individual aud
corporate, possess larger area than that
Of all our farms between the two seas. 1t
processes a preference for free institutions :;
1t organized and tried to legalize control
OF state elections by federal troops. 1t
P'oN1ooo - hcoEo W blcNaIo lhDOr IL has
subjected American workingmen to the
competition of convict aud imported con.
tract labor. 1t processes gratitude TO all
who were disabled or died in the war,
leaving widows and orphans it left TO a
Democratic House Of Representatives the
first effort to equalze both bounties and
pensions. 1t proiters pledge to correct
the irregularities Of our tariff il
created and has continued them.
its own tariff commission confessed
the need Of more than 90 per
cent. reduction it's Congress gave q re.
duotion OF less than A per cent. 1t processes
the proteotion Of American manufactures !;
Il has subjected them to an increasing
Hood OF manufactured goods and a hopeless
competition with manufacturing nations
not one Of which taxes raw material, 1t
processes to protect all American indus
tries IL has impoverished many to subsi.
dize fow. 1t Processes tho protection OF