The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-07-17

with equal ndel1ty and vigilance, the rights nj
its citizens, native and naturalized, at home
and abroad. and to the end that this protection
may be assured, u. S. papers of natural zat ioii
issued by courts OF competent jurisdiction
lative Departments of our government, and by
all foreign Powers. 1t is an imperative duty OF
this government to efficiently protect all the
rights of persons and property OF every Amer
lean citizen in foreign lands, and demand and
enforce full reparatlon for any invasion there
Of. 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 therefor on her own soil and according
to her laws; and no power exists in this gov
eminent to expatriate an American citizen to
be tried in any foreign land for any such act.
Thls coontry has never had Well-defned
erao aregn policy under
been, in regard to foreign nations, SO long as
they do not act detrimental to the interests OF
the country or hurtful to our citizens, to let
them alone; that as the result of this policy we
recall the acquisition of Louisiana, Florida CAL
iforn1a, 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 Re-
publican 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 for the interior States easy and
cheap transportation to tide-Water.
Under long period of Democratic rule and
pOliCJ OuI Iu0TCIluUb 1Qdfluo was last OVoftaK-
ing and on the point of outstripping Great
Britain. Under twenty years of Republican
rule and policy our commerce has been left to
British bottoms, and almost has the American
nag been swept off the high seas.
Instead OF the Republican party's British pol
icy, we demand for the people of the United
states an American policy. Under Democratic
rule and policy, our merchants and sailors, fly
ing the Stars and Stripes in every port, success
fully searched out a market for the varied pro-
ducts OF American industry. Under quarter
OF q century of Republican rule and policy, de-
spite our manifest advantage over other ma
tiOns in high-p paid labor, favorable climates and
all these United States; despite their popula-
ton by the foremost races of men and annual
immigration of the young, thrifty and adven-
furious of all nations; despite our freedom here
from the Inherited burdens of life and industry
In old worldS honarchiesrtheir, costly war and
navies, the1f vast tax-consuming, -produc-
ing standing armies; despite twenty years of
peace-Jhat Republican rule and policy have
managed to SURRENDER to Great Britain along
OF the world. Instead of the Republican par
TVS British policy we demand, in behalf of the
American Democracy, an American policy.
Instead of the Republican party's discredited
scheme and false pretense of friendship for
American labor expressed by imposing taxes,
we demand, in behalf of Democracy, freedom
for American labor by reducing taxes, to the
end that these Quilted States may compete
with unhindered powers for the priniacy
among nations in all the arts of peace and
fruits of liberty.
With profound regret we have been APP
VENERABLE STATESMAN
through whose person was struck that blow at
the vital principle OF republics (icquivscence
i'll the will of the joity) that lie c,liinot per-
nit us again TO place in his hands the leader
ship Of the Democratic hosts, for the reason
that the achievement of reform in the admin
istration of the Federal Government is an UNI
dertaking too heavy for his age and f;Iiling
strength. Rejoicing that his life has been pro-
low-countrymen is united in the wish that
that wrong Were righted in his person Tor The
people OF the United states, we offer to him In
his withdrawal from public life not only our
respectful sympathy and esteem, but also that
best homage of freedom-the pledge of our de-
votion to the principles and the cause now in :
separable in the history of this Republic from
the labors and the name of Samuel J. Tilden.
With this statement of the hopes, principles
and purposes of the Democratic party, the
great issue ofreform and change in administra-
ton is submitted to the people in calm conf
ddence that the popular voice will pronounce in
favor of new men, and new and more favorable
conditions for the growth of Industry, the ex-
tension OF trade, the employment and due re-
ward OF labor and of capital, and the general
welfare OF the whole country.
The reading of the platform was conclu-
ded at 10 O'Clock. 1t was listened to at
tentiyely. and with very few Interrupt
tions. In fact, none of its paragraphs,
except that referring to Mr.. Tilden, elic-
tied any marked indications Of approval.
There was, however, slight manifesto
tion of applause when the reading closed.
Mr.. Morrison said he would yield now
to General Butler, to present minority
report. He would then allow General
Butler thirty minutes to discuss his re-
port, fifteen minutes to Mr.. Converse, of
Ohio, and five minutes to Mr.. Watterson,
and then he would move the previous
question, and ask for vote.
General Butler said that most things in
the platform he agreed to. Some things
ought to be added to it; and one thing
specially ought to be changed, that he
would submit to the better judgment of
the convention. He asked the clerk to
read his report.
The clerk commenced by enuneiating
slowly and very distinctly the words,
General Buffers platform, - which
caused general laugh.
GENERAL BUFFERS REMARKS ON TEN
DERING THE MINORITY REPORT.
Following is General Buffers speech in
full:
Mr. President and Gentlemen ofthe Conuen-
toni rise to present minority report.
Many things and most things in the plat
form you have heard read | agree to.
Some things | think ought to be added,
nit to your better judgment, and will ask
leave for the clerk to read my minority re-
port. ,4f4
Gentlemen of the convention, appear
before you with great diffidence, having
to differ from the very able committee of
which | was All associate. Many and
most things [ agree to. You have heard
the various propositions read Which have
and which were not agreed to.
| shall speak to you now in the time
permitted to me of but one, where there
are the greatest and most radical differ
ences between the two platforms, and it IS
all comprised in a single sentence. d 3a
Everything else was agreed to. We
both agreed that there is no CONSTITUTE onal
power inithe Government to raise Il dollars
taxes beyond the necessary expenses of an
economical and an honest administration.
[Applause.] We all agreed that these
could be raised for taxation from customs
revenues after the manner of our
fathers. We agreed that the material
used in the arts and the necesSaries of life
not produced in this country must be UNI
taxed. Where we differed was in this /:
| claim that in raising that revenue it was
a duty of the Government so to adjust the
laws as to best promote American en-
terprise and foster and cherish American
labor. [Applause.]
Think OF 1t moment-the Democratic
party refusing, when they must raise
taxes, to raise them in such manner as
best to sustain their own laboring men
Applause. Will that do? [Cries of,
No. " Not Are you ready to go into
. contest with our opponents with sucha
platform :? came here as no mendicant,
no beggar. | came here representing more
than 500, 900 laboring men. [CheerS.1 L
have brought their constitution before this
1 demand, not that you
should give them anything, but when you
are taking from the people that you take
it only where it will hurt least. Is that
IN unreasonable demand Do you think
that you can get along without them? Il
10 not, therefore / brought them here as
your allies, if you receive them. l object
TO the tariff plank of your platform adopt
ed by your committee, for it took them
Bhirty-six hours to frame it laughter
and if it took those able gentlemen that
time to frame it and get it in form, there
must be some reason for it; and if they
could not find out what they meant in
5hirty-six hours, how am I, a laboring
man, to find out what it means? APP
Dlause and laughter
The tariff plank OF the platform should
De so that he who runs may read, loud
spplause.] The difficulty was that there
was radical difference between us-a diff
ference of principle. The very able Chair
nan of the committee, Col. Morrison-for
whom l have the very highest respect,
because he believes that there should be
10 such thing as protection of American