Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1884-08-03
eureka Dailp Sentinel.
DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL PLATFORM.


The Democratic party Of the Union,
through its representatives In Nationai
Convention assembled, recognizes that as
the nation grows older new issues are born
of time and progress, and old issues per
isb. But the fundamental principles oil
the Democracy, approved by the united
voice Of the people, remains, and Will ever
remain, as the best and only security Tor
the continuance Of q free government and
the preservation Of personal rights. The
equality OF all citizens before the law, the
reserved rights of the States and suprem-
scy of the Federal Government within the
limits OF the Constitution, will form the
true basis OF our liberties, and never be
surrendered without destroying the rights
and powers which enable 8 continent TO
be developed. Peace and social order to
be maintained by local self-government'
II is indispensable for the practical sppli-
cation OF fundamental principles that the
Government should not always be BON
trolled by one political party. A frequent
change Of administration is as necessary
as the constant recurrence TO popular viii;
other wise abuses grow, and the Govern
ment's fundamentally for imposing bur-
dends on the many who are governed, for
the benefit OF the men who govern. The
public servants become arbitrary rulers.
This Ia now the condition OF the
country. Hence, q change. Is de-
msnded. The Republican party, so
far as principle is concerned, is a reminls-
cence; in practice, an organization for
enriching those who control its machinery.
Frauds and robbery have been brought to
light in every department OF the Govern
ment, and are sufficient TO have called for
reform within the Republican party. Yet
those in authority are made reckless by
that long possession Of powSr, and have
succumbed 70 corrupting influences, and
placed the nomination of q ticket against
the independent portion of the party In
open revolt. A change is demanded. Such
a change was alike necessary in 1876, but
the will OF the people was defeated by q
fraud which can never be forgotten nor
condoned. Again in 1880 s change was de-
manded by the people, but was defeated by
the lavish use of money contributed by I'M
scrupulous contractors and shameless job
bers, who bargained for unlawful profits
or high office. The Republican party,
during its legal, its stolen and bought
power, has steadily decayed in moral char
acter and political capacity. Its platform
promises are now a list Of past failures. Ii
demands a restoration OF our navy. Ithas
] ausndered hundreds OF millions to creste
Q navy that does not exist. 1t calls upon
Congress 10 remove the burdens under
which American shipping has been de-
prescott imposed and has continued
those burdens. II processes q preference
for free institutions. 1t organized and
tried to legalize a control OF the State
elections by Federal troops. 1t processes
q desire to elevate labor. 1t subjected
American workingmen to competition with
convicts. 1t imported contract labor. II
processes gratitude to all who were disabled
during the war, leaving widows or orphns.
The Democratic House of Representatives
made the first effort to equslize both
bounties and pensions. Il professed TO
the irregularities Of the tariff is
and has continued them. Its own
tariff commission confessed the need of
more then twenty per cent reduction. Its
Congress gave & reduction of less than four
per cent. 1t processes protection o! Ameri-
can manufactures. 1t has subjected them
90 an increasing food Of manufactured
goods, and hopeless competition with the
manufacturing centers, the nature of which
raw materials. 1t processes to pro-
tect American industries. 1t has impoyer-
many to subsidize 8 few. 1t pro-
fesses protection of American labor. 1t
has depleted the returns Of American agri-
culture. m industry followed by half our
1t Processes equality of all citizens
before the law. The attempt to fix the
status Of colored citizens in Congress was
overturned by the decisions Of the courts.
II accepts 9 new duty of leading the work
OF progress and reform. Its caught crimi-
mails are permitted to escape through con-
trived delays, or sctual conniysnce
in prosecution. Honeycombed with
the out-bresking of
no longer shocks its moral
sense. Its honest members and independ-
emit journals no longer maintain q success
'ul contest for authority in its councils or
q veto on bad nominations. That 6 change
is necessary is proved by the existing sur
plus OF more than 500, 000, 000, which have
yearly been collected from a suffering peo-
Pile. An unnecessary taxation is unjust
taxation. We denounce the Republic |
can party for having failed to relieve
the people from crushing war taxes,
parAlyzed business, crippled indus
try, and deprived labor of employment
and 3 just reward. The Democracy
itself to purify the administration
from corruption, restore economy. revive
for the law, and reduce taxation
to the lowest limit consistent with a due
regard to the preservation of the faith of
the nation 10 its creditors and pensioners;
knowing we'll, however, that legislation
affecting the conditions of the people
should be cautious and conservative in
method, not in advance Of public opinion,
but responsive to its demands. The Demo-
cratic party is pledged to reduce the tariff
in making q reduction in taxes il is not
proposed TO injure any domestic industries,
but rather promote their healthy growth.
From the foundation Of this Government
the taxes collected at the Custom
house have been the chief source of
Federal revenue. Such they must
continue to be. Many industries have
come to rely upon legislation for their sue
cessful maintenance, so that g change OF
law must be made at every step, regardless
OF labor and capital involved. The process
of reform must be subject to this plain
of justice. All taxation should be
to the requirements Of economical
Government. The necessary reduction in
taxation can and must be effected without
depriving American labor Of the ability TO
successfully with foreign labor,
and without imposing lower rates Of duty
than will be ample to cover any increased
cost of production which may exist in con-
OF higher rates of wages prevail