Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-06-07
The PLATFORM.

The committee on resolU lions OF the dem
ocratic convention, at ST.. Louis yesterday
agreed upon the platform of the party in the
coming Presidential election by a vote of IS
to 20, and 10 day it was reported 10 the con-
vention and adopted. 1t is in substance as
follows:
The democratic party of the Uu!ed
States, il convention assembled, renews the
pledges of its fidelity TO the democratic
faith and reatfirms the platform adopted by
its representatives in the convention of 1884.
Chief among its principles of party faith are
the maintenance Of an indissoluble union Of
free and indestructible States, now about to
enter upon its second century of unexam.
pied progress and renowr; devotion to
plan Of government regulated by united
constitution strictly specifying every granted
power, and expressly insuring tothe States
or people the entire uDgranted residue OF
power; the encouragement of a jealous
popular vigilance directed to all who are
chosen for brief terms 70 enact and execute
the laws, and are charged with the duty Of
preserving peace, insuring equality and es
tablishiug justice. The democratic party
welcomes an eIacting scrutiny of the ad
ministration 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 it challenges the
most searching inquiry concerning its 6deli
ty and devotion to the pledges which then
invited the suffrage of the people. During
a most critical period of our financial affairs
resulting from overtsxaton, the anomalous
condition Of our currency, aud a public
debt uUmatured, it has greatly promoted the
prosperity Of people. Ithas reversed the
mprovident policy of the republican party
touching the domain, and has regained from
corporations and syndicates, ALLEN and domes
tic, and returned 10 the people nearly one
hundred millions of acres of valuable lands,
to be sacredly held as homesteads for our
cl;z .Ds. While carefully guarding the in.
forests cfthe taxpayer and conforming strict
" to the principles OF justice, it has paid out
more for pensions and Dounlies TO the soldiers
and sailors of the republic than was ever
paid before during the same period. BY in
teligent management and ajudicious and
economical expenditure of the public mon.
ely it has set on foot the reconstruction of
the American navy upon. system which
iorbds the recurrence of scandal and insures
successful results. II has adopted and con.
sislsntly pursued q fair and prudent foreign
policy, preserving peace with all nations,
while scrupulous maintaining all the rights
and interests Of our own government and
people at home and abroad. The exclusion
f. ON our shores Of Chinese laborers has been
ef1ectually secured under the provisions of q
treaty, the operation of which has been post.
poueG by the action OF republican ma orr
" in the Senate. Reform 10 the civil ser.
tn1
tanned, whereby fidelity and efficiency in
the discharge of official duty instead
of The claims Of perisansbip alone
have become the requirements in making
appointments and promotions in the public
service. In every branch and department
of the government under the 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 cur citizens before the
law, without regard to race or color, has
been stesdfasty maintained. Upon it's
record thus exhibited, AID upon the
pledge of a continuance to the people of
The benefits Of good government, the ma
tional deE ocracy invites renewal of the
popular trust by the reelection OF Chief
Magistrate who has been faithful, able and
prudent.
The remainiug clauses are devoted to a re.
cital of the action of the republican party In
Congress in obstructing all measures de-
signed to effect tariff eform, in maintaining
under specious pretenses the false plea that
such action is for the benefit of labor, and TO
setting forth what has been attempted by
the democratic party in the true and best
interests of labor. The republican policy in
holding on TO war taxes and advocating e1-
trevagant and unnecessary appropriations
in order to reduce the surplus is denounced,
and the promise made that the democratic
party will continue, with the approval of
the people, in the contrary policy which it
has marked out.