The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-06-13
THE PLATFORM.
Declaration, of the Democratic Party
on the Issues of the Coming
Campaign.
Text OF the Resolutions Adopted by the
National Convention ut
st. Louis.

inc Democratic PARTY on the united States, IN
national convention assembled, renews the
pledge Of is fidelity 10 the Democratic flth, and
roaiiirins the platform adopted by It's representa-
tives in the convention Of 1851 and indorses the
views expressed by President Cleveland in his
last earnest message 10 Congress as the correct
Interpretation OF that platform upon the ques-
ton OF tariff reduction and also indorses the
efforts OF our Democratic representatives in
Congress To secure reduction of excessive tax
alton.
Chief among it's principles OF party faith are
the maintenance of indissoluble union Of
tree and indestructible States now about 10 en-
ter upon it's second century Of unexampled
progress and renown devotion 10 n plan OF gov
erninent regulated by written Constitution
strictly specifying every granted power, and eX.
presslf reserving 20 the States on people the en-
tire ungranted residue of power; the encourage
mont OF jealous popular vigilance, directed 20
all who have been chosen for brief terms 20 en-.
act end execute the laws, and are charged with
the duty Of preserving peace, Snsuring 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
President of the United States and il challenges
the most searching inquiry concerning its fidelity
and devotion 20 the pledges which then invited
the suffrages OF the people. During most critical
period OF financial affairs, resulting from
oven taxation, the anomalous condition of our
currency, and public debt unmatured. 10 has bv
the adoption Of wise and statesmanike course
not only averted disaster but greatly promoted
the prosperity OF tho people.
IL has reversed the imprOvident and unwise
policy Of the Republican party touching the
public domain, and has reclaimed from corpora
lions ana syndicates alien and domestic, and re-
stored 10 the people, nearly one hundred millions
OF acres Of valuable land, 10 be sacredly held as
homesteads for our citizens
While carefully guarding the interests of the
people consistent with the principles OF justice
and equity, IL has paid out more for
pensions and bounties 70 the soldiers and
sailors of the Republic than was ever paid
before during an equal period. 1t has adopted,
consistently pursued, firm and prudent foreign
policy, preserving peace with all nations while
scrupulously maintaining all the rights and in
terests OF our own Government and people NJ
home and abroad
The exclusion from our shores OF Chinese Ia
borers has been effectually secured under the
provision of a treaty, the operation OF which has
been postponed by the action OF a Republican
majority in the Senate
Honest reform in the civil service has been IN
augurated and maintained by President Cleve-
land, and he has brought the public service Ia
the highest standard OF efficiency, not only by
rule and precept but by the example OF his own
untlring and unseltsh administration of public
affairs
In every branch md department of the Govern
inent under Democratic control the rights and
the welfare OF all the people have been guarded
and defended; every public interest has been
protected, and the equality Of all citizens be-
fore the law, without regard 10 race color, has
been steadfastly maintained.
Upon its record thus exhibited and upon the
pledge Of n continuance 10 the people Of the ben
ehts of Democracy il invokes n renewal OF popu-
LTuhb DN ILt reelection OF Cn1e1 magistrate
who has been faithful, able and prudent, and in
vokes in addition 10 that trust the transfer also
the Democracy OF the entire Legislative power.
The Republican party, controlling the Senate
and resisting in both houses of Congress q
reformation OF unjust and unequal tax laws
which have outlasted the necessities Of war, and
are now undermining the abundance of n long
period OF peace, deny TO the people equality be-
fore the law, and the fairness and the justice
which are their right. The cry of American labor
for n better share in the rewards OF industry is
with =
tered and bound down 10 home markets capital
is discouraged with doubt and unequal, un.
Just laws can neither be properly amended MOI
repealed.
The Democratic party will continue, with al
the power conhded TO it, the struggle TO reform
these laws in accordance with the pledges of its
last platform, indorsed at the ballot-boX by the
suffrages of the people or all the industrious
freeman Of our land, the immense majority, in.
GLIDING every tiller Of the soil gain advantage
from excessive tax laws. but the price OF nearly
hing they buy is increased by the favorit-
ism Of an unequal system of tax legislation.
All unnecessary taxation IL unjust taxation
1t is repuGnant 20 the creed Of Democracy that
by such taxation the cost OF the necessaries OF
life should be uniustifably increased 10 all ON
people. Judged by Democratic principles, the
interests Of the people betrayed when. by
unnecessary taxation, trusts and combination:
are permitted 20 exist which, while unduly enrich
ing the few that combine, rob the body of citi
zens by depriving them of the benefits of nat
ural competition Every rule Of governmental
action is violated, when. through unnecessary
needs OF an economical administration is drawn
from the people, the channels OF trade and &c
cumulated as n demoralizing surplus in the Ma
tional Treasury.
The money now lying idle in the Federal Treas
ury resulting from superfiuOus taxation
amounts to more than one hundred and twenty
five millions, and the surplus collected Is reach
ing the sum OF more than sixty millions annual
ly. Debauched by this immense temptation tn,
remedy Of the Republican party is To meet anC
exhaust 10y eXtravagant appropriations and eX
penses whether constitutional or not, the accu
mutation Of eXtravagant taxation. The Demo
cratic policy Is 20 enforce fTugality in public ex
pense and abolish unnecessary taxation.
Our established domestic industries and en-
terprises should not and need not be endangere
10y the reduction and correction Of the burdens
OF taxation On the contrary, fair and careful
revision Of our tax laws, with due allowance FOL
the difference between the wages OF American
and foreign labor must promote and encourag,
every branch of such industries and enterprises
by giving them assurance Of an extended nRrke
and steady and continuous operations In tn,
interests Of American labor. which should in nS
event be neglected, the revision of our tax laws
contemplated 10y the Democratic party SHOULD
promote the advantage of such labor by cheaper
ing the cost of necessaries OF life in the home
every wOrkinginan, and Mt the same time secur
ing 10 him steady and remunerative employment
Upon this question of tariff reform, so closely
concerning every phase Of our national life, anC
upon every question involved in the problem q
good government, the Democratic party submits
its principles and professions to the Intelligent
sufirages of the American people
The Mother ut Home.