The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1884-10-25
Senator Slater speaks Monday nigl
DEMouRATIo PLATFORM.

DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
The Demaerati, party of tho Union, through its
representatives in National Convention assembled,
recognizes thatas the nation growsolder new ssue are
born OF time and progress and old issues persh but
the fundamental principles of Democracy, approved
by the united voice of the people, remain, and i'll
ever remain the best aud only security for the
inuance Office government. The preservation of
personal rights the equality OF all citizens before the
Law the reserved rights of the states, and the supre
macy of the Federal Government within the limits of
the Constitution will ever form the true basis of
liberties, and can be surrendered without de-
stroJins that balance of rights and powers which
ables continent to be developed i'll peace AID social
order to be maintained by OF local sel:govern
ment.
But it is indispensable, for the practical applica-
ton and enforcement OF these fun nlamental prin-
ciples that the Government should not always be
controlled by political party. frequent change
OF administration Is as necessary as the constant re-
currence to the popular WILL otherwise abuses grow,
and the Government. instead of being carried FOR
general wef1re, becomes an inssrumentaty forim
posing heavy burdens on the many who are governed
for the benefit OF the few who govern. Public
wants thus become arbitrary rulers.
This is the condition of the country.
Hence change is demanded. The Republican
party so far as principle is concerned, is
"Reminiscences; in practice, it is organiza-
ton for enrichng those who control its ma
chinery. The frauds and jobbery which lave been
brought to light in every department. of the Govern
ment sutf .ient 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 conupting influence, and have placed
in nomination ticket against which the independent
portion OF the party are in open revolt. Therefore
change is demanded. Such change alike neces-
sty IN 1876, but the will of the people then de-
feated by fraud, which never be forgotten nor
condoaed Again in 1850 the change demanded by
the people was defeated by the lavish use of money,
contributed by unscrupu0us contractors and shame
less obbers, WAC had hargained for unlawful profits,
or for high Office.
| The Republican party, during its legal, its
utn o<,r hDrl.rh n ho
steadily decayed in moral character and political
capacity. Its platform promises list of its
past failures. 1t demands the restoration of
navy; it has squandered hundreds of millions to Gre
navy that does not exist 1t calls upon Congress
toremove the burdens under which American shipping
has been depressed; it imposed and has continued
those bnrdens.
1t processes the policy of reservng the public lands
for small holding by actual settlers. 1t has given
! away the peoples heritage till now few railroads,
and nonresident aliens, individual and corporate pos
larger than that of all farms between
the 1t processes preference for free institu
tious it organized and tried to legalize control of
State elections by federal troops 1t processes de-
sire to elevate labor; ithas subjected American work
/ ngmen to the competition of convict and imported
| contract labor 1t processes gratitude to all who
were disabled died in the war, leaving widows and
orphans; it left to Democratic House OF Represen
tatyss the first effort to cqualiZe both bountes ard
pensions 1t proffers pleige to correct the irregu
arites of tariff; it created and has continued
them Its own tariff commission confessed the need
of more than 20 pei cent reducton its Congress gave
reduction of less than per cent 1t processes the
/ protection of American manufacturers it has sub
| jected them to increasing food of manufactured
1 goods and hopeless compel ton with manufactur-
/ ing nations not of which taxes material. 1t
processes to protect all American industries; has
| impoverished man, to subsidizc few 1t processes
the protection of American labor; it has depleted the
returns of American agriculture, industry followed
By half people 1t processes the equality OF all
men before the law. Attempting to fix the atus of
coored citizens the acts of its Congress overset
by the decisions of its courts 1t accepts the
duty of leading in the work of progress and REFORM"
arr "a Onuh
contrived delays or actual connvance in the prose
cution. Honeycombed with corruption, outbreaking
exposures longer shock its moral sense its hon
est members its ndepelent journals, no longer main
tain successful contest for authority in its counsels
or veto upon bad nominations. That change is nee
essariy proved by existing surplus of more than
500 600, which has yearly been collected from
suffering people Unnecessary taxation is unjust
| taxation.
to relieve the people from crushing war taxes which
have paralyzed business. crippled industry and de-
prved labor OF employment and of just reward. The
| democracy pledges itself to purify the admin
| istration from corruption, to restore
omy, to revive respect for law and to re-
duce taxaton the lowest limit consistent with due
regard to the preservation of the faith Of the nation
to its creditors and pensioners; knowing full well,
however that legislation affecting the occupation
| of the people should be cautious and conser-
vative in method not in advance OF public
opinion, but responsive 70 its demands, the Demo
cratic party pledged to revise the tariff in spirit OF
fairness to all interests; but in making reduction in
taxes it is proposed to in ure any domestic indus
tries but rather toproote their healthy growth From
the foundation of this Government the taxes collected
atthe Custom-house have been the chief source of
Federal revenue. Such they must continue to BE-
Moreover many industries have come TO rely upon
legislation for successful continuance SO that any
change of law must be at every stop regardfu OF labor
and capital thus involved The process of reform
must be subject m its execution to this plain dictate
of justiee-All taxation shall be limited to the
quirements of All economical Government. The
necessary reduction in taxation and must be af
feeted without deprivng American labor of the abil
fy fo successfully with foreign lahQr
without imposing lower rates of duty than will be
ample any increased cost of production which
may exist in consequence of the higher rate of wages
prevailing in this country Sufficient revenue pay
all the expenses of the Federal Government econonl-
iealy administered, including PENSIONS interest and
principal of the public debt, can be got under our
present system of taxation from Custom-ho taxes
on fewer imported articles, bearing the heaviest
articles of luxury and bearing ghtest articles Of
necessity We therefore denounce the abuses of the
existing tariff and subject proceeding limitation
demand that Federal taxation shall be exclusively for
public purposes and sa not exceed the needs OF the
government economically administered. The system of
direct taxation, known the ssinternal revenue" is
a war tax and long the law continues the money
received therefom should he sacredy devoted to the
relief of tho people from resaainng burdens OF the
war, and be made fund to defray the expense of the
and comfort of worthy soldiers, disabled in the
line of duty in the of the Republic and for the
payment of such pensions Congress may from time
TO time grant to such soldiers like fund.- the
sailors having been already provded-and any sur |
plus should be paid into the treasury.
We favor American continental policy, based |
more intimate commercial and polticai relations
with the fifteen sister Republics of North, Central and
South America, but entapgling alliances with none.
We believe in honest money-the gold and silver |
coinage of the constitution and circulating medium
convertible into such money without loss
Asserting the equality of all men before the law |
we hold that it is the duty of the Government in
dealings with the people, to mete out equal and exact
justice all citizens Of whatever nativity, race, col
or or persuasion, religious political
We believe in 3 free ballot and fair count, and I
recall to the memory of the people the noble
struggle Of the Democrats in the Fortyfth and For
tv-sixth Congresses, by which reluctant Republican
opposition compelled to assent to legislation
making everywhere illegal the presence of troops at
the polls the conclusive proof that Democratic
administration viii preserve liberty with order. The
selection of Federal officers for the Territories should
be restricted to citizens previously resident thereof
We oppose sun1ptuary laws, which vex the citizens
and intefere with individual liberty.
We favor honest civil service reform in compen-
sation all United States Offices by fixed salaries the
separation OF Church and State and the diffusion Of