The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-12-16
The Democratic Policy,

We do not think that our Republican
friends are in doubt any longer about
the policy of the Democratic party
That policy is now disclosed in the re'
suits of years administration, and III
the recommendations which are made
to Congress in the presidents message
and i'll the departmental reports which
accompany it. The main features of
the Democratic policy are these:
FirSt-An economical administration
of the government.
SecOnd-A reduction Of taxes.
There is no purpose in economy unless
the taxes are reduced. If high taxes
are to be maintained, the expenditures
should be continued. For as great as
are the evils of extravaganza in the
public business, they are not SO great
DIS the evils of accommodating and hold
ing in the treasury vast sums for which
the government has no use. If the
money is spent it gets back into the
hands Of the people; if it is boarded, it
takes out Of circulation the very life
blood of industry and commerce.
Third-A reduction of taxes by re-
moving them from the neceSsarieS of
life and from the materials used BY our
artisans and manufacturers.
FOurth-A rehabilitation of the navy
and a proper provision for the defense
of the cities and haTbors.
Fifth-A reform of the civil service,
so that the ordinary administration of
the several departments of the govern
ment may be made Independent of the
mutations and fluctuations Of politics.
and SO that our political life may be de-
Tended against the cOrrupting and de-
baSing effect of the spells system.
SIXth-A repOsSeSSiOn by the govern
ment OF those public lands which have
been seized without warrant of law.
Seventh-An adjustment Of the
finances Of the country upon the found
alton of bi-metallic currency, but
without attempting to give a fictitious
and abnormal value to either gold or
silver.
Eighth-A recognition of the rights
Of labor in the Old-faShioned Demo-
cratic way, by giving to it security and
freedom and protection against the
greed of capital and against the tyranny
of great corporations, and by opening
to 1t the markets of the world.
These are the chief purposes of the
Democratic government which the peO-
pie chose two years ago, and to which |
they gave their approval at the elections |
of this year.
They make policy such as might |
have been expected from Democratic
statesmen guided by Democratic prin-
ciple and instructed by Democratic |
practice and precedent.
How gratifying the results of this
year have been. All doubts as to the |
future have been dispelled. confidence |
has been re-eStablished. and the coun- !
try Is entering upon another period of |
activity with sense of strength and |
power never felt before. Who shall |
venture to predict the achievements of
the next ten years of our history = |
That they will be years of Democratic !
aScendency and control we do not doubt.
1t will not take long for the people to
learn the lessons which their fathers
knew, that the benign and trustful rule
OF the Democracy is the one which best
secures their happiness, welfare and
prosperity.
Nor can any one doubt as to the part
which the President has acted during
his term Of office. He has won the con-
tldence OF his cOuntrymen to a degree
seldom surpassed in our history. No
one-no Democrat, no Republican now
lmpugns his patriotism, his integrity.
his tirmneSs or his capacity. One testi-
mony is borne both by friend and foe.
Opposition to him is to his politics. not
at all to his character. The plain
lawyer from Buffalo, who went to
Washington without experience in fed
eral affairs, and with but little know
ledge of public men, is easily seen to be
master of his work. A strong and
ever abiding sense of duty has led him
safely through the devious and difficult
paths he was required to tread. and has
enabled him to keep his balance upon
the lofty and perilous height ON which
he StandS.-N. Y. Star. (