The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1888-06-21
PURE DEMOCRACY.
DEMOCRATIC PLAT
FORM.
Declaration of Principles as Adopted by
the ST.. Louis Convention.

"The Democratic party Of the
United States, in National Convention
assembled, renews the pledges of its
fidelity to Democratic faith and re-
affirming the platform adopted by It's
representatives in the Chicago Con
vention Of 1884, endorses the views
expressed by President Cleveland in
his last earnest message TO Congress as
a correct Interpretation of that platform
upon the question Of tariff reduction !;
anil also endorses the efforts of our
Democratic representatives in Con
grcss to secure a reduction of the eX-
cessive taxation. Among its princi
plies of party faith are the maintenance
of an indissoluble union of the free
and indestructible States, now about
to enter upon its second century
of unexampled grogress and renown,
and devotion to the government, reg
ulated by the written constitution /;
strictly specifying every granted power
and expressly reserving to the States
or the people the entire ungranted res
idue of power; the encouragement of
of the jealous and popular visilence
directed to all who have been chosen
for brief terms 10 enact and execute
the laws and are charged with the duty
of preserving peace and equity, and
establishing justice. The Democratic
party welcomes an exacting scrutiny
of the administration Of the Executive
power, which four years ago was CON-
mitted to its trust, in the election OF
Grover Cleveland, as President of the
United States, but it challenges the
most searching inquiry concerning its
fidelity and devotion to the pledges
which then involved the suffrages of the
people during the most critical period
of our financial affairs, resulting from
over taxation, the anomalous condition
of our currency, and public debt un-
matured. 1t has by wise and con-
servative course not only ~averted dis
asters, but greatly promoted the pros
perity of our people. It has reversed
the improvident and unwise policy of
the Republican party, touching public
domain, and has reclaimed from cor
porations and syndicates, alien and
domestic, and restored to the people
one hundred million acres of land, to
be sacredly held as homesteads for
our citizenes. While carefully guard
ing the interests OF the principles OF
justice and equity it has paid out more
for pensions and bounties to soldiers
and sailors of the Republic than was
ever paid before during any period. II
has adopted and consistently pursued
a firm and prudent foreign policy
preserving peace with all nations, while
scrupulously maintaining all right:
and interests of our own government
and people at home and abroad. The
exclusion from our shores of Chinest
labor has been eGfectuaily secured un
der the provisions Of treaty, the op
Grafton of wich has been postponed BY
the action of the Republican maiorlt,
in the Senate. In every branch anC
department of the government, unde
r Democratic control, the rights. anC
welfare of all people have been guarded
and defended, every public interest ha
been protected and the equality OF al
citizens before the law, without regarc
to race or color, has been steadfastl
maintained Upon its record thus ex
! hibited and upon the pledge Of con
tinuance to the people Of the bcneflt
of Democracy, it inyokes a renewal {
popular trust by the -re-election Of th
=. Chief Magistrate who has been faith
ful, able and prudent it invokes !
addition to that, the trust, by transic
= also to the Democracy, Of the entIr
legislative power. The Republica
, party, controlling the Senate and re
: sistlng in both houses Of Congress Il
reformation cf the unjust and neqtE
! tax laws which have outlaS.ed the n'
! cessities of war and are now undermr
ing the abundance Of long peace, an
deny to the people equality bcfoi
" law and the fairness and justice whlc
# are their rights. Thus the G
Of American labor for a better shal
Is in industry is stifled with false preiense
enterprise is fettered and bound do"
TO home markets, and capital IS d
4 couraged yet the laws can neither
t properly amended nor repealed. II
d Democratic party will continue, Wi
s all the power conhdcd to it, 10 s;ruI
If gle to reform these laws in accordan'
It with the pledges OF its last pIatfort
Ii which was endorsed at the ballot =
Il by the sulfr2ges OF the people oi al Il
e dustrics. The freemen CE car land
e an immense majority, including exc
As tiilcr OF The soi-gets no advantat
IS from excessive tax laws, but the pr
Of nearly everything they buy IS )
lcrcased By favoritisUa, or the unequ
Il ,ystem OF tax legislation. All unnece
i sary taxation IS unjust taxation IL