Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-08-01
process Of reform must pe subject IN TIE K
clltion 70 this rluin dicfafe of inSficH.

IuCuON VI II
necessary reduction in taxation can and must
be effected without dcpriving American labor
90 9dre .ne aln nhoyy. 40 and so witbout si im ,osin na!s ,o with
rates Of duty than will be ample to cover any
increased cost OF production which may exist
in consequence OF the higher rate OF wages
prevailing in this country.
Sufficient revenue to pay al the expenses
of the Federal Government economically adj
minfstered, including penSlons, interest and
principle of the public debt, can he got, under
our present system of taxation. free custom
house taxes on eve imported articles, bear
ing heaviest on articles III luxury and bearing
lightest on articles of necessity.
We therefore denounce the abuses of the
limitations. we demand that Federal taxation
shall be exclusively for public purposes and
shall not exceed the needs of the Government
economically administered.
The system of direct taxation known as the
"internul revenue is a wnr tax, and SO long
as the law continues the money derived
therefrom should be sacrcily devoted to the
rehcf of the people from ,hc remaining bur
dens OF the war. ana be made Il fund to de-
fray the expense OF the care and comfort of
wars OF tho republic and for the payment of
such pensions as Congress may from time to
time grant to such soldiers, II like fund for
the sailors having already been provided; and
amy surplus should b paid into TIE treasury.
We favor an American continental. policy
based upon more i2t.matc commercial and
pubilcs OF North, Central and South America,
but ~entangling alliances with none.
we DcllCNe III nOltSI money, lTe SOlQ anu
silver coinage of the constitution, and a circu-
lating medium convertible into such money
without loss.
Asserting the equality of all men before the
law. we hold that it is the duty Of the Gov
ernment in its dealings with the people, to
mctc out equal and eXac: justice TO all citi-
zens OF whatever nativity, race, color Or per-
suasion--rellgious or political.
We believe in a free ballot and q fair count.
and we recall to the memory of the people
the noble struggle of the Democrats in the
XLVth and XLElth Congresses, by which u
reluctant Republican opposition was COM
where illegal the presence OF troops At the
polls, as the conclusive proof that a rerno-
cratic Administrator will preserve liberty
with order.
The selection of Federal officers for the
Territories should be restricted to citizens
previously resident therein.
We oppose sumptuary laws, which vex the
citizen and interfere with individual liberty;
we favor honest civil-service reform, and the
compensation of al United States officers Ivy
fixed salaries; the separation OF church and
state: and the diffusion Of free education by
common schools, SO that every child in the
land may be taught the rights and duties of
citizenship.
While we favor all legislation which will
tend to the equitable distribution OF property,
to the prevention of monopoly, and to the
strict cntorcementof individual rights against
corporate abuses, we hold that the welfare OF
society depends upon a scrupulous regard for
the rights of property rs defined by law.
We believe that labor is Hest rewarded
where it is freest and most enlightened. 1t
should therefore be fostcred and cherished.
We favor the repeal OF ali laws restricting
the free action OF labor, and the enactment
OF laws by which labor organilations may be
inGG,9rpor.ted and of M such legislation as
relations of capital and labor.
We believe that the public lands ought, as
far as possible, to be kept as homesteads for
actual settlers; that all uDearned lands here
tofore inlprovidentiy granted to railroad cor
porations by the action OF the Republican
party, should be restored to thepnblic domaine;
and that no more grants of lands shall be made
to corporations, or be allowed to fall into the
ownership of alien absentecs.
We are opposed 10 an propositions which,
upon any preto&t, would convert the General
Government into q machine for collecting
taNcsto be distributed among the States or
the citizens thereof.
form of 1856, that 1.-The liberai principles cm-
bodied by Jefferson in the Declaration Of In
dependence, and sanctioned in the Constitu-
ton which makes ours the land OF liberty and
the asylum OF tho oppressed of every nation,
have ever been cardinal principles of the
Democratic faith," we nevertheless do not
sanction the Importation OF foreign labor, or
the admission OF scrvilc races, untitled by
habits, training, religion, or kindred for all
sorp,ion into the great body Of our people, or
American civilization demands that against
the inmieratiol or importation of Mongo-
lians to these shores our gates be closed.
The Democratic party insists that it is tho
duty of this Government to protect, with
equal fidelity and vigilance, the rights of its
i'S 'itt"iN CIV a ~ So loillS oAO
abroad: and to the end that this protection
may. be assured. United States papers of nat
uralizatlon, issued by courts OF competent
jur sdiction, must be respected by the execu-
tive and legislative departments OF our own
Government, and by all foreign powers.
1T is an imperative duty of this Government
and property OF every American citizen in
foreign lands, and demand and enforce full
reparatiOn for any invasion thereof.
An American citizen is only responsible to
hlsown Government for any act done in his
own country Or under her flag, and can only
be tried therefor OF her own soil and accord
ing to her laws; and no power exists in this
Government to expatrlate an American citi-
zen TO be tried in any foreign land for any
such act.
This country has never had a well defined
and executed foreign policy save under Dem
ocralic Administration; that policy has ever
been, in regard to foreign Nations, so long us
they do not act to the interests Of
the country Or hurtlul to our citizens, TO let
them alone; that, as the result of this policy,
da, California and OF the adjacent Mexican
territory by purchase alone; and contrast
these grand acquisiiionso Of Democratic states
nlanshiD with the purchase OF Alaska, the sole
fruit OF Il Republican Administration of near
ly quarter OF a century.
The Federal, Government should care for
great Waterways Of the Republic, so as to Sc
cure for the interior States easy and cheap
transportation to ~tidewatcr
Under a long period of Democratic rule and
policy. our merchant marine was fast over
taking and on the point of outstripping that
Of Great Britain.
Under twenty years of Republican rule and
policy our commerce has been lclt to British
bottoms, and almost has the American dag
been swept oil the high seas.
Under Democratic rule and policy our mer-
chants and sailors, flying the stars and stripes
i'll every port, successful y searched out a
market for the varied products of American
industry.
Under u quarter-oentury of Republican rule
and policy, despite our manifest advantage
over all other nations in high-paid labor, fa-
vorable climates and tecming soils; despite
freedom of trade among AL these United
States; despite their population by the fore
most races OF men and an annual immigra-
ton of the young, thrifty and adventurous Of
ali Nations; despite our freedom here from
the inherited burdens Of life and industry in
vics, their vast taX-consuning. non-prodlcing
standing armies; despite twenty years OF
peace-that of Republican rule and policy
have managed to surrender to Great Britain.
along with our commerce, the control OF the
markets OF the world.
Instead OF the Republican party's British
policy, we demand in behalf o: tho American
Democracy an American policy.
Instead of the Republican party's discrcd-
tied scheme and false pretense OF friendship
for American labor. expressed by imposing
taxes, we demand in behalf of the Democracy
freedom for American labor by reducing