The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1884-07-16
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TaB DBMOORATIOP LATFORM
The Democratic platform 10 some
what lengthy document, but the ext
gencies of the political situation, de
msnded a full exposition of Rerubli
can methods and Republican prac
tices, at the hands of the Chicag
convention, and it could not be wei
abridged. The arraignment Of tn
Republican party Is ~ truthful a.
is complete, and will impress a
thoughtful men with the suprem
necessity of q reform in tho admin
lstration of the Government. 1t vii
also impress them with the fact tina
that reform cannot be inaugurated o
long as the Republican party Ii II
power.
The position of the Democracy OF
the tariff question IL clearly and ex
plicitly stated. 1t pledges itself IT
revise the tariff in q spirit Of fairnas
to all interests" and to promote tn
healthy growth of every domestic In
dustry. It asserts that the "necss
sary reduction in taxation can anG
must be effected without depriving
American labor of the ability to com
pete successfully with foreign labor
and without imposing lower rates Of
duty than will be ample to cover any
increased oost Of production which
may exist in consequence of the
higher rate of wages prevailing In
this country"
1t favors an American continental
pulley which will bring US into closer
relations with the Republics In
| South America, Central America
aud with Mexico. 1t favors gold and
silver coinage-Democratic money.
It asserts the equality of all men be-
fore the law, and holds that exact
Justice be meted out to all of "what-
ever race, nativity, color or persua~
sion, religious or political" 1t de-
clares the Democracy believes IN a
free ballot and q fair count, and in
sists upon the absence. at the polls Of
armed Federal troops. 1t lays down
the proposition that federal
officials for the Territories should be
appointed from residents therein. 1t
is sound upon the public education
question, and declares for the separa-
zion of church and state.
It favors the preservation of the
lands for homestead entries
only, and that all unearned lands
granted to railroad corporations by
the Republican party should BE- re-
stored to the public domain, and no
more grants Of land should be made
to such corporations, nor should they |
be allowed to fall into the hands of
alien absentees. It opposes Chinese
immigration or the admission into
the United States of servile, coolie or
contract labor. It assures the pro-
lection Of American citizens at home
and abroad and demands q full
for all wrongs inflicted
upon them by foreign powers.
It reviews our Territorial acquisi>
lions under Democratic administra
lions and contrasts their importance
the purchase Of Alaska, "the
sole fruit of a Republican administra-
ton of nearly aquarter ola century,"
1t favors the improvement of the
Mississippi and other great rivers of
the Republic SO az to secure easy and
cheap transportation to tide water
for interior States. 1t charges the
loss of our shipping interests to Re-
publican rule aud policy, and accuses
hat party of yielding the markets of
he world to British merchantmen.
It promises reform IN all these mat
;ers and pledges the Democracy to
give the country an American
The platform il an enunciati0n of
and purposes which will
the next administration in
he event of the election OF the Demo.
cratic Presidential candidates. There
8 no mlstaking its language A.ft~
ing tlibute Is paid to the venerable
Samuel j. Tilden, and re-
.ret expressed that he cannot accept
he trust which q large majority OF
he American people would willingly
to his keeping,