Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-07-15

presses. by which reluctant Republican |
opposition was compelled to asseutto legis-
lotion making everywhere Illegal the pres
ence Of troops at the polls, a. iheconcIusiye |
proof thar Democratic administration will |
preserve libCrty with order.
The selection Of Federal officers for The |
Territories should be restricted 10 citizens |
previously resident tlerein.
We oppose suiapIuary laws watch yex |
the citizen and interfere with individual |
liberty. We favor honest cyil-serviee re- |
form ard the compensation OF ali United |
States officers bv fixed salaries. the separl- |
ton OF Church and state, and the diffusion |
Of free education Nv common schools, 10 |
that every child in the land may be taught |
tie rights and duties OF citizenship.
While we favor all legislation which will |
tend 30 the equitable distribution OF pro- |
veIty. to the prevention OF monopoly, and |
10 the strict enforcement OF individual |
rights syainst corporate abuses, we hold |
that The welfare Of society depends upon |
4 scIupulous regard for the rights OF
property as defined by law.
We believe that labor is best rewarded |
where It j. irceSt md most enlightened. 1t
Should therefore bc ioStcrcd and cherished. |
We favor The rpcal OF al laws restricting
the free ncticn oi labor, and tie enactment
Ni .HMS - WIN itsut VI tilftt'sbiiN hiaf
e Incorporated. and o. all such II ;slati)n
~ WI tend 10 cnl:gll'cn the people as to
the lIue relations OF capital and labor.
We lc,ioye that the puhlic lands ought,
~ far as possible. 10 be KEEP. as hOmeStead'
for actual settlers; that all unearned lands
heretofore improyldently granted TO railroad
CORPORATIONS Nv the action OF toe iepuOll-
can rarity should bc.reSt0red TO the pubic
domain, aud that 10 more grants OF land
shall lc made 10 corporations, or be a'-
lowed 10 fall into the ownership OF alien
.absonicfs.
We ere opposed 10 all propositions which
uEOn any pretcXt would convert the General
Government into machine for collecting
taxes TO be distributed among the States,
or tic citizens thereof
In rtRilirming the declaration OF the
Democratic platform OF 1856, that "the
liberal princires embodied by Jefferson in
the Declaration OF Independence and snc-
toned i'm the Constitution which m kcs
ouTs the land Of liberty and the asylum OF
tie oppressed OF every nation, have ever
bccn cardinal PRINCIPLES in tho Democratic
faith" we nevertheless do not sanction the
importation 81 foreign labor or the admis-
sion Of scrvile races, untitled by habits,
training, religion, or kindred for abSOrp-
ton into the great body Of our people, or
for the citizenship which our laws confer.
American civilization demands that against
the immigr ltion or importation OF Mon
golians to these shores our gates be closed.
The Democratic party insists that it is the
duty Of this Government to protect, with
equal fidelity and vigilance, the rights Of it,
citizens. native and naturalized, At home
and abroad; and TO the end that this pro-
lection may BE- assured. United States pa
pers OF naturalization, issued by courts OF
comVetcn. Jurisdiction. must be respected
by the executive and legislative depart
nents of our own Government, and by all
foreign Powers.
1t is an imperative duty Of this Govern
ment to efficiently project all the rights OF
persons and property Of every American
citizen in foreign landS, and demand aud
enforce full reparation for any invasion
thereof.
An American citizen j. only responsible
10 his own Government for any act done in
bis own country oI under her flag. and can
only be tried therefor on her own soil and
according to her laws and no power exists
In this Government to eXpatriate an Ameri-
can citizen 10 De tried in any foreign land
fer any such act.
THIS country has never had well-deiined
snd executed foreign policy. save under
Democratic administration that policy has
ever been, in regard to foreign nations, so
long as they do not act detrimental TO the
interests Of the cOuntry or hurttul to our
citizens, 10 let them alOne that - the re-
suit OF this policy we recall the acquisition
OF Louisiana, Florida, California, and Of the
adjacent Mexican territory by purchase
alone; and contrast these grand acquis-
tsns OF Democratic craftsmanship with the
purchase OF Alaska, the sole fruit OF Re-
publican administration Of nearly quarter
OF "a century.
The Federal Government should care for
and improve the Mississippi river AID
other great waterways Of the republic, So
o. 10 secure for the interior States easy and
cheap transportation to Underwater.
Under a long period Of Democratic rule
and policy our merchant marine was fast
oycrtaking and on the point OF outstrlp-
| ping that Of Great Britain.
Under twenty years OF Republican rule
and policy our commerce has been left
to British bottoms, and almost has the
American flag been swept of the high
seas.
Instead OF the Republican party's British
policy, we demand for the people OF the
| United States an American policy.
Cnder Democratic rule and policy, our
merchants and sailors, flying the stars and
s,riIes in every port, successfully searched
out market for the varied products OF
| American industry.
Under quarter century OF Republican
| rulc and policy, despite our manifest adj
vantage over all other nations In high-paid
labor, favorable climates and teeming soils;
despite freedom OF trade among all these
| United States; despite their population by
Al 4. g,f nal
| immigration OF the young, thrifty, and adj
| ycnturous OF ali nations; despite OAR free
| dom here from the inherited burdens OF
| life and industry in old-wo!ld mOnarchies-
| their costly war navics, their vast tlX.con-
| sumng, non producing standing armies;
| despite twenty years OF peace-that Repub-
| lican rule and policy have managed to sur
render TO Great Britain, along with our
commerce, the control OF the markets ofthe
world.
Instead of the Republican plrty's British
| policy, we demand in behalf OF the Ameri-
can Democracy an American policy.
Instead OF The Republican party's dis
| credited scheme and false pretencc OF
| friendship for American labor, expressed
| bv imposing taxes, we demand IN behalf OF
| the Democracy freedom for American
| labor 10y reducing taxes, to the end that
| these United states may compete Win
unhindered powers for the primacy among
nations in all the arts Vi peace and fruits OF
| liberty.
With profound regret we have been APP
| priscd by the venerable state sman through
whose person was struck that blow at the
vital principle Of republics (acquiescence in
the will Of the majority, that he cannot
| permit us again to place In his hands the
| leadership OF the Democratic hosts. for the
reason that the achievement OF reform in
the administration Of the Federal Govern
| ment is an undertaking now too heavy for
! his age and falling strength.
Rejoicing that his life has been prolonged
until the general judgment Of our fellow
countrymen Is united in the wish that that
wrong were righted in his person, for the
| Democracy Of the United States we offer
| TO him in his withdrawal from public cares
not only our respectful sympathy and es-
TEEN, but also that best homage OF free
men, the pledge Of our devotion to the
| principles and the cause now inseparable
| in tie history Of this republic from the
| lsbors and the name Of samuel J. Tilden.
With this statement OF the hopes. princi-
| pies, and purposes OF the Democratic
| party, the great issue Of reform and change
| In Administration l. submitted to the peo-
| la,,n has lNa,