St. Landry democrat., 1884-07-19
The Demecratlc Platform.

The following is the platform OF prln-
ciples adopted by the National Demo-
cratic Convention.
"The Democratic party of the Union,
through it's representatives IN national
convention assembled, recognizes that,
as the nation grows older, new issues
are born of time and progress and old
issues perish, but the fundamental prln-
ciples of the Democracy, approved by
the united voice of the people, remain,
and will ever remain as the best ana
only security for the continuance OF tree
government, the preservation OF person
al rights of the States, and the suprema-
cy of the Federal Government within
the limits of the constitution, and Will
ever form the true basis OF our liberties,
and can never be surrendered without
destroying that balance OF rights ana
power which enables continent to be
developed in peace and social order to
be maintained by means OF local self
government. But it is indispensable
for the practical application and en-
f0rcement of these fundamental prlncl-
Piles that the government should not al
ways be controlled by political party.
Frequent change of administration is as
necessary as constant recurrence to the
popular will, otherwise abuses grow and
the government, instead of being car
ried on for the general welfare, becomes
an instrumentality 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 change is demanded.
The Repu blican party, far as principle
is concerned, is "Reminiscences; in pTac-
tice it is an organization for enTiching
those who control its machinery. The
frauds and jobbery which have been
brought to light in every department of
the government are sufficient to have
called for reform within the Republican
party, yet those in authority, made reck-
less by the long possession OF power,
have succumbed to its cOrrupting infu-
ence, and have placed in nomination a
ticket against which the independent
portion of this party are in open revolt.
THEREFORE, A CHANGE is DEMANDED.
Such a change was alike necessary in
1876, but the will of the people was then
defeated by fraud which can never be
forgotten nor condoned. Again in 1880
the change demanded by the people was
defeated by the laVishness of money
contributed by INSCRIPTIONS cOntrac-
tors and shameless jobbers, who had
bargained for unlawful profits or for
high office. The Republican party, dur
ing its legal, its stolen and its bought
tenures of power, has steadily decayed
in moral character and political capaci
ty. It's platform promises are now list
OF its past failures.
SIT demands the restoration of our
navy. 1t has squandered hundreds of
millions to create navy that does not
exist.
1T calls upon Congress to remove the
burden under which American shipping
has been depressed. 1t imposed and
has continued those burdens.
sit processes the policy of reserving
actual settlers. 1t has given away the
PEOPLES heritage till now a few rail-
roads and nonresident aliens, individ-
ual and corporate, possess larger area
than that of all our farms between the
two seas.
TT processes preference for free in
stitutions. 1t organized and tried to
legalize control of State elections by
Federal troops.
at processes desire to elevate labor.
1t has subjected American wOrkingmen
to the competition of convict and i'm
ported contract labor.
at processes gratitude to all who were
disabled, or died in the war, leaving
widows and orphans. It left to Dem
Ocratic House of Representatives the
first effort to equalize both bOunties and
pensions.
&c proffers pledge to correct the ir-
Irregularities OF our tariff. 1t created
and has continued them. It's own tariff
commission confessed the need of more
than 90 per cent reduction. It's Con-
gress gave a reduction of less than per
cent.
1T processes the protection of Ameri-
can manufactures. It has subjected
them to an increasing food of manufac-
tnTed goods and hopeless competition
with manufacturing nations, not one of
which taxes raw materials.
1t processes to protect all American
industries. II has impoverished many
to subsidize few.
cit processes the protection of Ameri-
can labor. 1t has depleted the returns
Of American agriculture, an industry
followed by half our people.
1t processes the equality of all men
before the law, attempting to fix the
status of colOred citizens. The acts of
its Congress were overset by the deci-
sions of its courts.
1T accepts anew the duty of leading
in the work of progress and reform. Its
caught criminals are permitted to es-
cape through contriVed delays or actual
conniEance in the prosecution, honey
combed with corruption, and outbreak
ing exposures no longer shock its moral
sense.
ats honest members, its independent
journals, no longer maintain a success
full contest for authority in its counsels
or veto upon bad nomination.
ruArA cAAMcE 1s NEcEss AaY