Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-17

tS@lIst orporaIe ABUSES, we mold that che welfare
OF society depends upon q scrupulous regard for
the rights of property as defined by law
We believe that labor is best rewarded ubara
It IS freest ana most enlightened. 1t should there
fore be fostered and cher iShed. We favor the "a
peal of all laws restricting the free action of labor
and the enactment of laws by which 10 Dor orpaT
lzatlonS may be Incorporated, and of all such
legislation as will tend TO enighten the people as
10 the true 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 unearned lands heretofore inn
provldently granted TO the railroad corporations
oy the action OF the republican party should be
restored TO the public domain, and that no more
grants of lands shall be made TO corporations or
be allowed to fall into the ownership of aliens
or abSentees. We are opposed to all propositions
Whlch upon any preteXT would convert the gen
eral government into machine for collecting
taxes TO be distributed among the states or the
citizens thereof.
In reaffirming the declaration of the democrat
&c Platform of 1876 that the liberal principles EN-
bodied by jefferson in the declaration of indie
pendence and sanctioned in the constitution which
makes ours the land of liberty and the asylum of
the oppressed of every nation, have ever been ear
dual principles in the democratic faith. We,
nevertheless, do not sanction the importation of
foreign labsr or the admission of Servile races
fitted by habits training, religion or kindred for
absorption into the great, body of our
which our laws confer. American civilization
demands that against the immigration or impor-
taton of MongolianS to these shores, our gates he
the duty Of this government to protect with equal
ndelIty and vigilance the rights of its citizens,
native and naruralized, at home and abroad, and
70 the end thaG this protection may be assured,
OnlCed states papers of naturalization issued by
courts OF competent jurisdiction must be reached
by the executive and legislative departments of
our government, and oy all foreign powers. 1t is
an Imperative duty of this government to
efnclenGly protect all the rights of
persons and property OF every American citizen
IN foreign lands and to demand and enforce
il11-o ciO An
lean citizen IS only responsible to his own gov
eminent for any act done in his own country or
under her flag and can only be tried therefor on
lSef own SOIL and according to her laws and no
power exists in this government to exTatrate
an American citizens TO be tried in any foreign
land for any such act.
This coSntry has had weIEdefined and execut-
eQ forelgn policy. Under democratic adminiStra-
ton the policy has ever been in regard to
foreign nations, so long as they do no act detri-
mental TO the interest of the country or hurtful
to our citizens to let them alone. That as the re-
suit OF this policy. we recall the acquisition of
LOUISIANA, Florida, California and of the ad-
Jacent Mexican territory by purchases alone and
contrast these grand acquisition of democratic
craftsmanship with the purchase of Alaska The
sole fruit of republican administration of nearly
quarter of century.
The federal government should care for and i'm
prove the Mississippi river and other great water
ways of the republic so as to secure for the in
terror states easy and cheap transportation to tide
water.
Under long period of democratic rule and
policy, our merchant marine was fast ogertaking
and on the point of outstripping 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 republican party British policy,
we demand for the people of the United States
an American policy. Uuder democratic rule and
policy our merchants 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 century
Of republican rule and policy, despite our mani
fest advantage all other nations in high paid
labor, favorable climate and teemng soils, de-
spite freedom of trade among all states, despite
their population by the foremost. races
of men and the annual immigration
OF the young, thrifty and adventurous
Of all nations. despite our freedom
here from the inherited burdens of life and indus
try in the old world monarchies, their costly
war navieS, their vast tax-conSumiug, non-pro-
duciug standing armies, despite twenty-five years
Of peace, that 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 pgrtY's British
policy we demand on behalf of the Amer
lean democracy an American policy. Instead
of the republican .arty's discredited scheme and
false pretenses OF friendship for American labor
expressed by imposing taxes, we demand in lie
half Of the democracy, freedom for American
labor by reduced taxes to the end that those of
the United States may compete with unhindered
powers for the primacy among nations i'll all
the arts and fruits Of liberty.
With profound regret we have been appraised by
the venerable statesman through whose person
was struck that blow at the vital principle of re-
pullics (9cquiesence in the will of the majority
that he cannot permit us again to place in his
hands the leadership of the democratic hosts for
the reason that the achievement of reform in the
administration Cf the federal government is an
undertaking too heavy for his age and fail
ing strength. Rejoicing that his life has been
prolonged until the general judgment Of our fell
low contrymen is united i'll the wish that those
wrongs were righted in his person, for the dem
Ocracy OF the United States tie offer to him in
his withdrawal from public cares, not only our
spectful sympathy and esteem, but also that best
Homage Of freemen, the pledge OF our devotion to
the principles and Che cau,e now nSeparable in
the history OF the republic from the labors and
the name OF Samuel j. Tilden.
With this statement of the hopes, principles and
purposes of the democratic party the great issue
Of reform Gnd change in administration is sub
mtted to the people i'll cana confidence that the
popular voice VIII pronounce in favor of new
men and new and more favorable conditions for
The growth If III tlstry the eXtention of trade and
due reward Of tbOr and OF capital and the gen
eral welfare of the whole country.
One b t'I0r was then taken for presi-
dent, resulting as follows:
Acknowledgement 4. Mcdonald 1, Bayard IA,
Thurman l.
Arkansas Cleveland II
Calfornia-Thurman 1G.
Col0TadO-1IcDOnaId s. Bay2rd 1.
Connecticut Cleveland u.
Observation-Disclosures 6.
FIOrida-Cieveand 8.
Georgia Cleveland 10. Bayard H. Randall 3
Illinois--Cieveand 28, Mcdonald il, Bayard 2
Thurman /, Randall l. Hendricks 1.
Indiana Mcdonald 80.
Iowa-Cleveiand %, Mcdonald i, Bayard I,
Thurman I.
Kansas-CI5veland II. Bayard 5, Thurman ..
Kentucky Carlisle &c
Louisiana-Cleveland 10, Bayard 1. Thurman 1,
uoadley /.
Maine-C Cleveland H.
Eiaryland-Cleveland G. Thurman 10.
Massachusetts Cleveland 5, Bayard p, Thur
man 2.
Michigan Cleveland Il Bayard /, Thurman II.
MinneSota-Cieveland, IA
Iississippi-Cleveland 1, Bayard IS, Thurman
:: Randall.
Missouri Cleveland Is, Mcdonald 1, Bayard 10,
Thurman 3, Randall 3.
Nebraska-Cleveland 8, Mcdonald 1, Bayard 1.
Nevada-ThurmGn 6.
New Hampshire Cleveland g.
New jersey Cleveland 4, Bayard3, Randall IL.
New York-Cleveand y.
North Carolina-Bayard %.
Ohio-CIeveland 81 Thurman %, Hoadly ?.