The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-07-26

uctmeut 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 capital and labor
.ysf Rta LAND GRANTS
We believe that the public land ought as far as
possible to be Kept as hOmesteads for actual set
Tiers; that all unearned lands heretofore Inn
pnvidently granted to railroad corporations by
the action of the Republican party should be re-
stored to the public domain, and that no more
grants of land shall be made to corporations or
to be allowed to fall into the ownership of alien
absentees
We are opposed to all propositions which, up
on any pretext would convert the General Gov
crnment into machine for collecting taxes to
be distributed among the States or the citizens
thereof
In reafiiming the declarations of the Demo
cratic platform of 1856 that 1.-The liberal princi-
pies embodied by Jefferson inthe Declaration of
Independence and sanctioned in the Constitu-
tiOn, which make ours the land OF liberty and
the asylum of the oppressed of every nation,
have ever been cardinal principles in the Demo-
cratic faith, we nevertheless do not sanction
the importation OF foreign labor or the admis-
sion of servile races untitled by habits, training,
religion or kindred for absorption into the great
body of our people or for the citizenship which
our laws confer. American civilization demands
that against the immigration or importation of
MOngolians TO these shores our gates be closed
FOREIGN POLICY.
ty of the government to protect with equal tidel-
ity and vigilance the rights of its citizens, ma
tive and naturalized, at home and abroad, and
to the end that this protection may be assured
United States papers of naturalization issued by
courts of competent jurisdiction must be res
pected by the executive and legislative depart
ments OF our own government ana by all foreign
powers. II Is an imperativGduty OF this govern
ment to efficiently protect all the rights of per-
sons and property Of every American citizen in
foreign lands and demand and enforce full
reparation for any invasion thereof, An Ameri-
can citizen is only responsible to his own gov
ernment 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 government to eXpatriate
an American citizen to be tried in any foreign
land for any such act.
This country has never had well-dehned 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, to let them alone; that as
the result of this policy we recall the acquisition
of Louisiana, Florida California and OF the ada
cent Mexican territory by purchase alone and
contrast these grand acquisitions OF Democratic
craftsmanship with the purchase OF Alaska, the
sole fruit OF Republican administration OF
nearly quarter of n 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
tidewater
AN AMERICAN POLICY DEMANDED.
Under long period of Democratic rule and
policy our merchant marine was fast Overtaking
and on the point of outstrpping 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 off the high seas Instead OF the Republi-
can party's British policy we demand for the
people of the United States an American policy.
l.. rnl.
and sailors, flying the stars and stripes in every
| port successfully searched out a market for the
varied products of American industry; under a
quarter OF a century of Republican rule and pol
| icy, despite our manifest advantages over all
other nations in high paid labor, favorable eli
mates and teeming soils, despite freedom 0i
trade among all these United States despite
their population by the foremost races OF men
and an annual immigration OF the young, thrifty
and adventurous Of all nations, despite our free.
dom here from the inherited burdens of life and
industry in old world monarchies, their costly
war navies, their vast taX-conSllming, non-pro
ducing standing armies, despite twenty years ol
| peace that Republican rule and policy have
managed 10 surrender 10 Great Britain along
with our commerce the control of the markets
Of the world
Instead of the Republican party's British poll
| cy we demand, in behalf OF the American De
mOcrncy, an American policy. Instead Gf the
| Republican purty's discredited scheme and false
pretense of friendship for American labor OK
| pressed by imposing taxes, we demand, IN be
| half of the Democracy. freedom for Americai
| labor by reducing taxes 10 the end that these
! United States may compete with unhindcred
| powers for the prilnaey among nations in all thu
arts of peace and fruits of liberty.
TGIDES.
With profound regret we have been apprisct
by the venerable statesman through whose per
son WAS struck that blow mt the vital principle
of neutrality-suspicious. in the will OF thu
majority-that he cannot permit us again L
place in his hands the leadership of the Demo
cratic hosts for the reason that the achievement
of reform In the administration of the Fedora
Government s an undertaking now too heav!
for his age and failing strength. Rejoicing tha
4 his life has been prolonged until the genera
l Judgment Of our fclloweountrymen is united ii
the wish that wrong We're rghted in his person
for the Democracy of the United States we Ollie
to him In his withdrawal from public cares no
only Ollr respectful sympathy and esteem, bu
also that best homage OF frecmenr+the pledge @
ourdeVoti0n 10 the principles and the callsl
now ihseparable In the history Of the Repubfi,
from the labors and the name of Samuel J, Til
den
With this statement of the hopes, principle
and purposes of the Democratic party, the grea
! issue OF reform and change in administration |
submitted to the people in calm confdenc
that the popular voice will pronounce In fayo
new men and new and more favorable c0ndi
ions for the growth of industry the extension
Of trade, the employment and due reward OF ID
bor and of capital and the general welfare OF tn
whole country.