Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-07-11

the people from the remaining burdens OF
Dhe war, and be made fund to defray the
expense of the care and comfort of worthy
soldiers disabled in the line of duty in the
wars of the republic, and for the payment
of such pensions as Congress may from time
to time grant to such soldiers, like fund
for the sailors having been already provid-
ed, and any surplus should be paid into the
treasury. We favor an American CONT
mental policy based upon more init
mate commercial and political relations
with the fifteen sister republics of North,
Central and South America, but entanglng
alliances with none. We believe in honest
money, the gold and silver coinage of the
Constitution, and circulating medium con-
vertible into such money without loss. AS
sertng the equity of all men before the law
we hold that it is the duty of the govern
ment, in it's dealings with the people, to
meet out equal and exact justice to all citi-
zens, of whatever nativity, race. color, or
persuasion, religious or political. We be-
lIeye in free ballot and fair count, and
we recall to the memory of the people the
noble struggle of the democracy in the For
ty-fifth and Fortysixth Congresses, in
which reluctant republican opposition
was compelled to assent to legislation max
ing everywhere illegal the presence of
troops at the polls as the conclusive proof
that democratic administration will prove
liberty with order. The selection of federal
officers for the territories should be restrict
ed to citizens previously resident therein.
We oppose sumptuary laws which Vex the
citizen and interfere with individual liber-
ty. We favor honest civil service reforms,
the compensation of United States officers
by fixed salaries, the separation OF
tLn nf fran
education by common schools, so that eve
~ child in the land may be taught the rights
and duties of citizenship. While we favor
all legislation which will tend to the equi-
table distribution of property to the proven
ton of monopoly, and to the strict enforce
ment of individual rights against corporate
abuses, we hold that the welfare of society
depends upon a scrupulous regard for the
rights of property as defined by law. We
believe that labor is best rewarded where it
is freest and most enlightened. 1t should,
therefore, be fostered and cherished. We
favor the repeal of all laws restricting the
free action of labor, and the enactment of
laws by which labor organizations may be
incorporated, and Of all such legislation as
will tend to enlighten the people as
to the true relation of labor and capital.
We believe that the public land ought as
far as possible to be kept as homesteads for
actual settlers, that all unearned land here
totore improvidently granted to railroad
corporations by the action of the republican
party should be restored to the public do
main, and that no more grants of land shall
be made to corporations, or be allowed TO
fall into the ownership of alien absentees.
We are opposed to all propositions which,
upon pretext, would convert the general
Government into machine for collecting
taxes to be distributed among the States or
the citizens thereof.
In reaffirming the declaration of the demo-
cratic platform of 1856, that the liberal
principles embodied by Jefferson in the
Declaration of Independence and sanction
ed in the Constitution, which makes ours
the land of liberty and the asylum OF the OPP
pressed of every nation, have ever been
cardinal principles in the democratic faith
We nevertheless do not sanction the i'm
portation of foreign labor or the admission
of seryile races, untitled by habits, training,
religion or kindred for absorption into the
great body of our people or for the citizen
ship which our laws confer. American CIV
ilization demands that against the immigra-
ton or importation of Mongolians to these
shores our gates be closed. The democratic
party insists that it is the duty of The gov
eminent 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, United States papers Of naturaliza-
ton issued by courts of competent jurisdic-
ton must be respected by the executive
and legislative departments of our own
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 American citizen in
foreign lands, and demand and enforce full
representation for any invasion thereof
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, therefore, on her own soil and ac
cording to her laws, and no power exists in
this government to e1patriate an American
citizen to be tried in any foreign land for
any such act. This country has never had
well defined and 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 hurtful to our citizens, 10
let them alone; that, as the result Of this
policy, we recall the acquisition of Louisiana,
Florida, California, and of the adjacent Mexican
territory by purchase alone, aud contrast these
grand acquisitions Of Democratic craftsmanship
with the purchase of Alaska, the sole fruit of
Republican administration of noarly 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 transporta
tion to tidewater. Under long period Of demo-
cratic rule and policy our merchant marine was
fast overtaking and on the point of outstripping
that of Great Britain. Under twenty years of re-
publican rule and policy our commerce has been
left to British bottoms. and almost has the Amer
lean flag been swept off the high seas
Instead of the republican party's British policy
We demand for the people of the United States an
American policy. Under democratic rule aud
policy our merchants and sailors flying the Stars
and Stripes in every port successfully searched
ont market for the varied products of American
industry. Under quarter of q century of repub
licsn rule and policy, despite our manifest advan
tages over all other nations in high paid labor,
favorable climates and teaming soils; despite free
dom of trade among all these United States de-
nil THAR Dnnn latiop hv thu forpmost raeea of