Wichita eagle., 1888-08-05
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
Adopted by the National Democratic Con-
yention at st. Louis, June 6, 1883.
The Democratic party Of the United States,
in national convention assembled, renews the
pledge Of its fidelity to Democratic faith, and
reaf1irrns the platform adopted by its repre-
sentatives in the convention OF 1854, and in
dorses the views expressed by President
Cleveland in his Last annual message to con-
gress as the correct Interpretation OF that
platform upon the question of tariff reduc-
ton: and also indorses the efforts of our DEM
Dcratic representatives in congress to secure
q reduction of excessive taxation. Cher
among its principles of party faith are the
maintenance Of an indiSsolubie union Of free
and indestructible states, now about to enter
upon its second century of unexampled pro-
gress and renown; devotion to plan OF gov
ernment regulated by a written constitution
strictly specifying every granted power ana
expressly reserving to the states or people the
sntire ungranted residue of power the en-
enlargement of a jealous popular vigilance,
directed to all who have been chosen for
brief terms to enact and execute the laws,
and are charged with the duty of preserving
peace, enslring equality and establishing
justice. The Democratic party welcomes an
exacting scrutiny of the administration OF
the executive power which four years ago
was committed to its trust in the election OF
Grover Cleveland as president of the United
States, and it challenges the most searching
Inquiry concerning its fidelity and devotion
to the pledges which then invited the sui
frages of the people. During most critical
period of Cur financial affairs. resulting from
over taxation, the anomalous condition OF
our currency and public debt unmatured,
it has by the adoption Of wise and conserv-
alive course not only averted disaster but
greatly promoted the prosperity of the people.
1t has reversed the improvident and un-
wise policy of tho Republican party touch
ing the public domain, and has reclaimed
from corporations and syndicates, alien and
domestic, and restored to the people nearly
one hundred millions of acres of valuable
land to be sacredly held homesteads for
Osr citizens
While carefully guarding the interests OF
the taxpayers and conforming strictly to the
principles OF justice and equality, it has paid
out moro for pensions and bounties to the
soldiers and sailors Of the republic than was
ever paid before during an equal period
By intelligent management and q Judicious
end economical expenditure of the pnDlic
money, it has set on foot the reconstruction
OF the American navy upon a system which
forbids the recurrence Of scandal and insures
successful results. 1t has adopted and con-
Eistentiy pursued a firm and prudent foreign
policy, preserving peace with all nations
while scrapulsusly maintaining all the nights
and interests of our own government and
people at home and abroad.
The exclusion from our shores of Chinese
laborers has been effectually secured under
the provisions Of a treaty, the operations of
which has been postponed by the action OF
Republican majority In the senate
Honest reform IN the civil service has been
inaugurated and maintained ny President
Cleveland, and be has brought the public scr
vice TO the highest standard of efficiency, not
only by rule and precept, but by the example
Of his own untiring and unseltish administra-
ton of public affairs
In every branch and department Of the
government under Democratic control, the
rights and the welfare Of all the people have
been guarded and defended; every public in
tereSt has been protected, and the equality
Of all our citizens before the law, without re-
gard to race or color, has been steadfastly
maintained
Upon its record thus exhibited and upon
the pledge of continuance to the people Of
the benefits of good government. the national
Democracy invoke renewal of the popular
trust by the reelection Of chief magistrate
who has been faithful, able and prudent
They invoke, in addition to that trust. the
transfer TO the Democracy Of the entire leSis-
lative power.
The Republican party controlling the
senate and resisting in both houses Of Con-
greS information of unjust and unequal
tax laws, which have ou,lasted the neces-
stiles Of var and are NOW undermining the
abundance Of long peace, deny to the
people equality before the law and the fair
ness and the justice which are their richt.
Thus the cry of American labor for a better
share o< the rewards Of industry is stifed
with false pretenes, enterprise is fettared
and bound down to home markets, capital is
disturbed with doubt, and unequal, unjust
Laws can never be properly amended nor re-
pealed
The Democratic party viii continue with
Nj the power coudded to il to struggle to TO
form these laws n accordance with pledges
OF iIs last platform indorsed at the ballot
box by the suflraees of the people
OF Al the industrious freemen Of our Land
an irnmeuse majority, including every tiiler
of The soil, gam no advantage from excessive
lax laws, but the price Of nearly everything
they by is increased by the favorltis1n Of
an UNEQUAL system OF tax legislation
All unnecessary taxation is unjust taxa
ton 1t is repugnant 10 the creed of Den,oc-
racy that by such taxation the cost of the
of life should be unjustly IN
creased to ali our people. Judged by Demo |
cratic principles the interests of the people
&c etrarsd shAn- h. UNNECESSARY taxation. /