Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-06-13
N SPECTATOR AND GENERAL ADVERTISER
National Democratic COnVen-
ton.

National Democratic COnVen-
ton.
Continued from LIST page.l
THIRD DAY. - THURSDAY, JUNE
7TH.
The convention was called to order at
IO:3O and prayer was offered by Rev. DR..
brankfield. A few moments before the
was called to order red ban
lana was pulled up to the top of the flag
staff Of the New York delegation, and as it
hung and fiuttered, cheer after cheer came
from all parts of the hall. and delegates
rose and saluted it. 1t was the more signif-
cant because yesterday New York had
somewhat neutral stand on the
subject of the vice-presidency, and last
night the New York delegation had been
credited with a disposition to break the
Thurman slate. After prayer Mr.. Waiter.
son was promptly on hand with his resolu.
lions, and as he advanced to the front OF
the platform he was londly applauded. Mr..
Watterson stood quietly for moment OF
two, and then, with the brief statement
that the report was unanimous, he handed
the resolution to the clerk to be read. AL
illusions to tariff reform and to President
Cleveland were loudly applauded; in fact,
the convention testified its marked satisfac
ton with every clause Of the platform,
Mr.. Watterson then, in a few and charac
teristic remarks, extolled the platform and
its broad and national character, elicitine
much laughter when he said it was de-
claration which every democrat in Massa.
chusetts or Texas, New Jersey or Iowa
could subscribe to without looking around
the corner.
HANDS ACROSS THE TARIFF
CHAsM.
He made humorous allusion to the diff
ferences which had existed among them
and turning toward Senator German, who
sat right behind him, he said, while the
cheered and laughed: "Demo.
Gratis would not like each other as well al
they do if they did uot have little fur
with each other" He then proposed Mr.
German, and the latter came forward amid
laundering applause. The Maryland Sen
ator stood before the vast throng, in al
the best-known man of all thu
thousands present. He stood still and i'm
movable, calmly gazing upon the mass O.
people before him while waiting for the
applause to subside. Just as he commenc
ed some confusion occurred at the lower
end Of the hall, and cry of fire was raised
For one moment it looked as if terrible
panic might be precipitated and result il
consequent awful disaster, but it was, hap
PLY, averted by prompt statement tina
nothing was wrong, and the band Their
struck up lively tune. Confidence was a
once restored and Mr.. German proceeded
with his remarks, which were most fatter
ingly received. The platform on the mo
ton of Mr.. Watterson, was then adopted
unanimously. The following is the plat
form.
The Platform.
The Democratic party of the United
States, in National Convention assembled
renews the pledge of its fidelity to thu
Democratic faith and reafirms the platform
adopted by its representatives in the con
vention of 1884, and endorses the views ex
pressed by President Cleveland in his las
earnest message to Congress as correct in
terpretation of that platform upon the ques
tion of the tariff reduction, and also en-
dorses the efforts of our Democratic rep
ton of excessive taxation.
THE RIGHTS OF STATES.
Among its principles of party faith ar
the maintenance of an indissoluble uniOl
of free and indestructible States now abou
to enter its second century of unexample'
progress and renown, devotion to the plar
of government regulated by the writer
Constitution strictly specifying every grant
ed power and expressly reserving to tn
States or to the people the entire ungrante'
residue of power, encouragement of jealou
popular vigilance, directed to all who hav'
been chosen for brief terms to enact ant
execute the laws and are charged with tn
duty of preserving peace, insuring equality
and establishing justice.
The Democratic party welcomes exactins
scrutiny of the administration of the execu
tive power which four years ago was com
mitted to its trust IN the election of Grove
Cleveland President of the United States
but it challenges most searching inquir
concerning it's fidelity and devotion to tn
pledges which then invited the SURFACES o
the people during most critical period @
our financial affairs, resulting from over
taxation, an anomalous condition of GU
currency, and public debt unmatured. I
has by the adoption of wise and conserva
tive course not only avoided disaster, bu
greatly promoted the prosperity of our PEG
pie.
PUBLIC DOMAIN.
1t has reversed the improvident and un
wise policy of the Republican party touch
ing the public domain, and has reclaimed
from corporations and syndicates, alien an,
domestic, and restored to the people nearl,
one hundred million acres of land to b
sacredly held as homestead for our Cit
zens.
PENSIONS.
While carefully guarding the interest an
principles of justice and equity, it has PAL
out more for pensions and bounties to tn
soldiers and sailors of the republic thai
was ever paid before during an equa
period.
1t has adopted and consistently pursued
a firm and prudent foreign policy, preserv
ing the peace with all nations, while scrupu
lousy maintaining all rights and interest
of our own Government and people at HON
and abroad.
CHINESE IMMIGRATION.
The exclusion from our shores of Chimes
laborers has been effectually secured unde
the provision of treaty, the operation O
which has been postponed by the action o
the Republican majority in the Senate.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
Honest reform in the civil service ha
been inaugurated and maintained by Presi
dent Cleveland, and he has bought tn
public service to the highest standard o
efficiency, not only by rule aud precept, bu
by the example of his own untiring an
unselfish administration of public affairs
RIGHTS OF CITIZENS.
In every branch and department of tn
Government under Democratic control tn
rights and welfare of all people have BEEF
guarded and defended; every public interes
has been protected, and the equality OF al
our citizens under the law without regar'
to race or color has been steadfastly main
tanned. Upon it's record-thus exhibited
aud upon q pledge of the continuance t.
the people of the benefits of Democracy i
invokes renewal of popular trust by tn
re election of Chief Magistrate who ha
been faithful, able, and prudent, and in
yokes in addition to that trust by the trans
fer also to the Democracy of the entir
legislative power.
TAXATION.
The Republican party controlling thu
Senate and resisting in both houses of Con
Hon. Of ItIaf n nm.