The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-07-18
National Democratic Platform.

The Democratic party of the Union, through its
representatives in nation Il convention assembled,
recognizes that as the nation grows older, new is
sues are born of time and progress, and old issues
perish. But the fundamental principles OF the De-
mocracyapproved by the united voice OF the people,
remain and will ever remain as the best and only
security for the continuance of free government
The preservation Of personal rights; the equality OF
oil citizens before the law; the reserved rights OF
the States, and the supremacy OF the federal gov
ernment within the limits of the constitution will
ever form the true basis Of our liberties, and eau
never be surrendered without ing that bal
nnce Of rights and powers which enables cont-
nent to be developed in peace, and social order to
be maintained by means of local self-government
But 1t is Indispensable for the practical application
and enforcement OF these fundamental PRINCIPLES
that the government should not always be con-
trolled by one political party. Frequent change Of
administration is as necessary as constant recur-
renee to the popular will Otherwise, abuses grow,
and the government, instead of being carried on
for the general welfare, becomes an instrument
for imposing heavy burdens on the many who are
governed. for the benefit Of the few who govern.
Public servants thus become arbitrary rulers.
This is now the condition OF the country hence
O change is demanded.
The Republican party, so far us principle Is con-
cerned, Is reminiscence. In practice 1t is an
ganzation for enrichng those who control its ma
chinery Tho frauds and jobbery which have been
ment are sufficient to have called for reform within
the Republican party, yet those in authority, made
reckless by the long possession OF power, have sue
cumbed TO Its corrupting influence and have placed
In nomination ticket against which the independ-
ent portion Of the party are in open revolt. There
fore, change is demanded. Such change was
alike necessary in 1915, but the will of the people
was then defeated by fraud which can never be
forgot en- nor condoLed Again, In 1880, the change
demanded by the people was defeated by the lavish
use OF money contributed by unscrupulous con-
tractors aud shameless jobbers, who had bargained
for unlawful profits or high office. The Republican
party, during Its legal, Its stolen, and Its bought
tenlrls OF power, has steadily decayed in moral
character and political capacity Its platform prom
ises are now LIST of Its past failures II demands
the restoration of our navyit has squandered hum
dreds of millions to create navy that does not
exist. 1t calls upon Congress to remove the burdens
under which American shipping has been depre sed
1t imposed and has continued those burdens. IL
processes the policy OF reserying the public lands
Tor small holdings by actual settlersl II has given
away the peoples heritage TIL now few railroads
and nonresident aliens, individual and corporate,
possess a larger area than that OF all our farms
between the two seas. II processes preference
for free institulionst organized and tried to legal
professes desire to elevate laborit has subjected
American workingmen to the competition
OF convict and imported contract labor It
PROCESSES gratitude TO all who were disabled or died
in the war, leaving widows and orphans left to a
Democratic House OF Representatives the first ef-
profers pledge to correct the irregularities OF our
tariff--it created and has continued them Its own
tariff commission confessed the need OF more than
twenty per cent. reduction--ts Congress gave re-
duction OF less than four per cent. tprofesses
the protection OF American manufaotnres-t has
tured goods and hopeless connel ition with manu-
featuring nations, not one of VIII ch taxes raw ma
terals II processes to protect all Amer Industries
1T has impoverished many TO enbsldize few. Ii
professes the protection OF American labor-it has
depleted the returns of American agriculture. an