Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-07-31
THE NORTHWEST
The Platform of the National Demo-
cratic Party.

cratic farty.
The Democratic party of the Union, through ii
representatiyes In National Convention assem- ble(
recognizes that as the nation grows oder new is
sues arc born Of time and progress, and old Issue
perish But the fundamental principles OF tn
Democracy approved BY the united voice of the pei
ple remain, and will ever remain, the best an
only security for the continuance of free govern
ment. The preservation OF personal rights; th
equality of all citizens before the 'Ly, the reserve
rights Of the States, and the supremacy of the Fec
eral Government within the limits of the C"rS'itu
ton will ever form the true basis of our Liberties
and can never be surrendered without destroyin
that balance of rights and powers which enables
continent to be developed, and social order to b
maintained by means of local self-government
But 1t Is indispensable for the practical applica
ton and enforcement of these fundamental prlnci
pies that the Government should not always be con
trolled by one political party. Frequeat change o
administration is as necessary as constant recu
renee to the popular will. Otherwise abuses grow
and the Government, instead of being carried on TO
the general welfare, becomes an instrumentalty 10
imposing heavy burdens on the many who are gov
erned for the benefit of the few who govern. Publi
servants thus become arbitrary rulers.
This is now the condition df the ountry-hence
change is demanded. The Republican party, so fa
ss principle is concerned, is reminiscence In prac
ioe II Is an organization for enriching those wht
control its machinery. The frauds and jobber,
which have been brought to light in every depart
for reform within the Republican party. Yet those
in authority made reckless by the long possession
of power have succombed to its corruptng intuenc,
and have placed in nomination a ticket agains
which the Independent portion of the party are il
open revolt.
Therefore change is demanded. Such a chang,
was alike necessary in 1875, but the will of the peo
pie then defeated by fraud which can never bt
demanded by the people was defeated by the lavish
use of money contributed by unscrupuous contrac
tors and shameless jobbers who had bargained fo
unlawful profits or for high Office.
The Republican party, during its legal its stolen
and its bought tenurcs of power, has ste adily de
oayed in moral character and political capacity Its
platform promises are now list of it's past failures
1t demands the restoration Of our navy; 1t has
Bquandered hundreds of millions to create a navy
thate does not exist.
It calls upon Congress to remove the burdens un
der which American shipping has been depressed
it imposed and has continued those burdens.
Itprofesses the policy of reserving the public
lands for small holdings by actual settlers; it has
given away the peoples heritage til, now few rail
roads and nonresident Aliens individual and corpo
rate posses larger area than that of all our farms
between the two seas.
1t processes preference for free institutions; il
organized and tried to legalize control of State
elections by Federal troops.
1t processes desire to elevate labor; it has sub
jected American workingmen to the competition OF
convict and imported contract labor.
1t processes gratitude to all who were disabled OIL
died In the war, leaving widows and orphans; it left
to Democratic House Of Representatives the frs:
effort to equalize both bounties and pensions.
profers pledge to correct the Irregularities OF
our tariff; 1t created and has continued them.
Its own Tariff Commission confessed the need Of
more than twenty per cent reduction; lis Congress
gave reduction of less than fourper cent.
1t professes the protection of American manufac
lures; it has subjected them to increasing fiooi
of manufactured goods and hopeless competition
with manufacturing nations, not one of which taxes
raw materials.
1t processes to protect all American industries; il
has Impoverished many to subsidize few.
1t processes the protection of American labor: il
has depleted the returns of American agrcultu e
an industry followed by half our people.
Itprofcsses the equality Of ali men before the law
attempting to fix thestatus of colored citizens, the
acts Of its Congress were oVeset by the decisions
tho courts.
It "accepts anew the duty OF leading in the worl
Of progress and reform" it's caught criminals art
permitted to escape through contrived delays OF
actual conniyance in the prosecution.
Honeycombed with corruption, outbreaking ex
p0sures no longer shock its moral sense. Its homes
members, Its indepe adent journals, no longer main
tain successful contest for authority in its coun
cils or o veto upon bad nominations.
That change is necessary is proved by an existing
surplus of more than 100000 900, which has yearly
been collected from suffering people. Unnecessar,
taxation is uni ust taxation.
We deuounce the Republican party for having
failed to relieve the people from crushing war taxes
and deprived labor of employment and of just re
ward.
The Democracy pledges itself to purify the ad
ministration from corruption, to restore economy
to revive respect for law, and to reduce taxation t.
'thelowest limit consistent with due regard to tn
preservation of the faith of the nation to its credit
Ors and pensioners.
Knowing full WE'LL however, that legislation affect
ing the operations OF the people should be caution
and conservative In method, not in advance of pub
Lie opinion, but responsive to its demands the Dem
ocratc party Ia pledged to revise the tariff in aspri
of fairness to all interests.
But In making reduction in taxes It Is not pro
posed to injure any domestic industries but rather
promote their healthy growth. From the foundation
Of this Government taxes collected at the Custom
House have been the chief source Of FedeaaI reve
nue.. Such they must continue to be. Moreover
many industries have come to rely upon Legislation
for successful continuance, go that any change o
law must be at every step regardful of the labor
capital thus involved The process of reform mus
be subject IN the execution, to this plain dictate
justice. All taxation shall be limited to the require
ments of economical government. The necessar
reduction In taxation can and must be effected with
out deprving American labor of the ability to com
pete successfully with foreign labor and wthou
imposing lower rates of duty than will be ample t
cover any increased cost Of production which ma
exist In consequence of the higher rate of wage
prevailing in this country. Sufficient revenue to pa
all the expenses of the Federal Government econt
mically administered, including pensions and inte
eat and principal of the public debt be got undt
our present system of taxation, from Custom Houf
taxes on fewer imported articles, bearing heavier
articles of luxury, and bearing lightes article
OF necessity.
We therefore denounce the abuses of the existir
tariff and, subject to the preceding limitations, W
demand that Federal taxation shall be exclusive
for public purposes, and shall not exceed the neet
of the Government economically administered.
The system of direct taxation known as the 'si
ternal revenue lie war tax, and so long the Ia
continues the money derived therefrom should
tha fflf ha
rernaing burdens of the war and be made a fund
defray the expense Of the and comfort of wortl
soldiers disabled in the line of duty in the wars of
republic, and for the payment Of such pensions
Congress may from time to time grant to such sc
diers like fund for the sailors having been alrea
provided, and any surplus should be paid into Il
treasury
We favor an American continental policy bas
upon more intimate commercial and political re-
tions with the fifteen sister republics of Nori
Central, and South america but entangling alliane
with none.
We believe in honest money, the gold and sill,
coinage of the Constitution, and q circulating me
um convertible into such money without loss.
Asserting the equality of all men before the la
we hold that it is the duty of the Government in
dealings with the people to mete out equal and
act justice to all citizens of whatever nativity RAJ
color, or persuasion, religious or political.
We believe in free ballot and fair count a
we recall to the memory of the people the mol
struggle Of the Democrats in the Forty fifth a
Forty-sxth Congresses. by which reluctant ]
publican opposition was compelled 10 assent to !
islation making everywhere Illegal the presence
troops at the polls, as the conclusive proof tina
Democratic administration will preserve liberty W
order.
The selection ofFeaeral officers for The Terltor
should be restricted TO citizens previously resid
therein.
We oppose .umptuary laws which vex the citize