Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-07-11
THE PLATFORM



The Democratic party of the Union through
its representatives i'll National Convention as
sembled. recognizes that as the nation grows
older new issues are born of time and progress
and old issues perish, but the fundamental
principles of the Democracy, approved by
the united voice of the people, remain
and Will ever remain, as the best and
only security for the continuance of free gov
ernment, the preservation of personal rights
the equality OF all citizens before the law, the
reserved rights of the States and the sllprem-
acy of the Federal Government within the linn
its of the Constitution, will ever form the true
basis of our liberties, and can never be sur
rendered without destroying the balance
OF rights and powers which enables a
continent to be developed in peace and
social order to be maintained by means of local
selfgovernment. But it is Indispensable for
the practical application and enforcement of
these fundamental principles, that the Govern
ment should not always be controlled by one
political party. frequent change of admins
tration is as necessary as the constant recur-
grow, and the Government is instrumental in
imposing heavy burdens on the many. who are
governed for the benefit of the few
who govern. Public servants thus
become arbitrary rulers. This rs now
the condition of the country. Hence q change
is demanded. The Republican party, so far as
principle is concerned, is a reminiScence in
practice. II is an organization for enriching
those who control its machinery The frauds
and Jobbery which have been brought to light
in every department of the Government arc
sufficient to have called for reform
within the Republican party; yet those
in authority made reckless by the long posses
sion OF power, have sueeumbed to its corrupting
influence, and have placed in nomination u
ticket against which the independent portion of
the party are in open revolt. Therefore change
Is demanded Such change was alike neces-
sary Ill 1876, but the will of the people was then
defeated by fraud, which can never be for
gotetn nor condoned. Again in 1850 the change
demanded by the people was defeated by the
lavish use OF money, contributed by unscrupu-
shameless 1ODDerS
had bargained for unlawful profits, or for nigh
office. The Republican party, during its legal.
its stolen and its bought terms of power, has
steadily decreased in moral Character and
political capacity. Its platform promises
are now list of its past frauds. The
Democratic party proposes TO reduce
taxation to the lowest limit consistent with
due regard to the preservation of the faith of
the nation, to the creditors and pensioners.
Knowing full WELL however, that legislation
affecting the rights of the people should be eau
tious and conservative in method, not in adj
vance of public opinion, but responsive to its
dmeands, the Democratic party is pledged to re-
wise the tariff in spirit of fairness to all inter
ests but in making reduction IN taxes, IL Is
not proposed to injure domestic industries, but
rather TO promote their healthy growth. From
the foundation of this Government tho taxes
collected at the CuStom-house have been the
chief source of Federal revenue. Such they
must continue TO be. Moreover, many indus
tries have come to rely upon legislation for n
successful continuance. so that si, any change OF
and capital thus involved. The process of re-
form must be subject in its execution
to this plain dictate of justice: All taxation
shall be limited TO the requirements of an
economical Government. The necessary redue-
ton in taxation can and must be effected with
out depriving American labor OF the ability to
compete successfully with foreign labor, and
without imposing lower rates of duty than will
be ample TO cover any increased cost of pr0duc-
ton which may exist in consequence of the
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