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

two rartics line Of distinction which Ia
more important than any question con-
corning tariffs. The preservation OF per-
sonal rights, the equality OF sll citizens be-
fore The law, the reserved rights OF the
States. and the supremacy OF tho Federal
Government within the limits OF tho Con-
stitution," are words that have real
meaning to southern men. What "per-
sonal rights" has southern man had under
Republican ruler Need we go outside OF
Richmond to answer The question! ODlytwo
years $40 virginia's election officers were
arrested in this city whilst In the act OF
holding the election. and arrsiened before
n Federal commissioner, because they re-
fused to receive votes they conscientiously
believed they bad no right to receive. Be-
member DE TRoBRIAsD in Louisiana organ
lied the Legislature with bayonets. Re-
member the like scenes in Louisiana. Recall
UNDERWOOD and his usurpations OF author
fly In this city. Recollect that before the
passage OF Senator THURNAs's Jury blu
soutberner could expect but slim show CT
Justice In the Federal courts, and that even
since II became law Federal judge has
In South Carolina allowed IL TO be rendered
OF none effect by giving his permission to
a Federal district attorney TO "stand.
aside" all the Democrats upon panel OF
yeniremen. But it IL net necessary to go
back so far 20 learn that southerners are
not yet equal to northerners. Look st the
two tickets recently nominated in Chicago.
and see that both men on each ticket are
nor,herners, and recolect that neither
party dared 10 nominate southerner,
though there are sixteen southern States,
and you will realize that there are "per-
sonal rights" to be preserved, II at all, by
driving from power the party that has so
flsgrantly violated the fundamental prlnci-
pies OF free government.
The platform says that so far 40 principle
Is concerned the Republican party Is 90
"reminiscences" Well said. Il 10 the war
party, and ought to have died when the
wsr ended. Imagine what different coun.
try this would now be II the southern peo-
pie had from 1895 EDWARDS been treated as
the equals OF the northern. 1t Ia . great
and glorious country as it Is, but Il would
have been much more grand and glorious
II kindness and Cancellation had been the
policy Of its rulers rather than oppression
and distrusi aud long-continuing political
disabilities. Let the voters North and
nI,.xn To aaEn
party nothing but ga reminiseencs."
Out OF its own mouth 10 the Republican
party condemned. Ably does the Demo
cratic platform draw the Indictment In the
very words and phrases Of the Republican
tmrty. For example: at demands the re-
storation Of our navy. II has squandersd
hundreds Of millions to create . navy that
does not exist" What has become OF the
money, Again: at processes prefer
euce for free institutions. ~ ovoo1issd
and tried 10 iegdIise q control OF State cleo
fions by Federal troops" We emphasize
those words because they have Just now
double significance. The same party,
through It's organs, is trying to convince
the northern people that Federal troops or
Federal officials win be needed in the South
this year. Let the northern people look
10 this matter. And TO this end We repro
duce few words on the subject from the
Democratic platform, which says:
ave believe 10 a free ballot and fair
count. and we recall TO the memory OF the
people the noble struggle Of the Democrats
In the Forthwith and Forty-sixth Con-
crosses, by which reluctant Republican
opposition was compelled to assent 10 legis-
latiOn making everywhere Illegal the pres
ence Of troops at the polls, as the conclu-
siye proof that Democratic administration
will preserve liberty with order"
II is TO the army Of supervisors and dep
uty marshals and their intimidating influ-
ence that the Republicans will commit the
matter Of eleciing this year Republican
the southern States, several OF which they
profess to have hopes OF carrying.
BY the way, the Democratic platform de-
\ clares In favor OF paying salaries rather
than fees TO the Federal officials whose con-
duct in the past has suggested this reform.
Let marshals and district attorneys be so
paid by all means-at least In the South.
In the North these officials dare not perpe-
trate the outrages they commit In the South.
The Democratic platform did not over
look the public schools. 1t declares for
..the diffusion OF free education by common
schools so that every child In the land may
be taught the rights and duties Of citizen
ship"
The following plank has been criticised
rs counteDaneing lawlessness. We there
fore quote IL IN full that its language may
contradict the charge. We quote:
can American citizen 10 only response
BILE 10 bis own government for any act done
in hts 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 10 expatriatc an
American citizen 10 be tried In any foreign
land for any such act"
That proposition IL 10 clearly stated that
its mere statement amounts to a conclusive
argument In its favor. II means that a
German, OF an lrishman, or Frenchmau,
or an Italian, OF n native Of any other coun-
Try, who has been naturallzed In this eoun-
try, cannot commit in this country any
crime for which his mother country can
demand his extradition. In plain terms 1t
means that every citizen Of the United
States, native or naturalzed. shall be tried
In this country, and by his iellow-citizens
here, for every crime he may commit In
this country, or whilst upon an American
vessel, but II be goes to England, or Ger.
many, or France, or any other country,
and commits q crime under the laws OF
such country, the United States Govern
ment can do no more than insure him affair
trial. We try Englishmen for crimes com
mitted In this country. and OF course we
cannot prevent England from trying
Americans Tor crimes committed 10 that
country.
The following plank Is quoted in full IS
another proof Of good will 10 the South
on the part Of the Democrats Of the whole
country:
"T'he Federal Government should care |
for and Improve the Mississippf river and |
ether great waterways Of the republic, NO |
=. A.. sacnsr Tar the interior States easy and i