Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-08-03
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

Adopted by the National Democratic Con-
%vention at st. Louis. June @, 1888.
The Democratic party of the United States,
in national convention assembled, renews the
pledge of its fidelity to Democratic faith, and
reafiirms 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
ocratic representatives in congress to secure
O reduction of excessive taxation. 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 unexampled pro-
gress and renown; devotion TO a plan of gov
eminent regulated by a written constitution
strictly specifying every granted power and
expressly reserving to the states or people the
entire ungranted residu of power; the en-
c%ouragement 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, ensuring equality and establishing
justice. The Democratic party welcomes an
cAdClIIE sCIutluN VI II dIluluISlldlIOu u
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 suf-
frages of the people. During a most critical
period of our financial affairs, resulting from
over taxation, the anomalous condition of
our currency and a public debt unmatured,
it has by the adoption of a wise and conserv-
alive course not only averted disaster, but
greatly promoted the prosperity of the people.
1t has reversed the improvident and I'M
wise policy of the 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 as homesteads for
our citizens.
While carefully guarding the interests of
the taxpayers and conforming strictly to the
principles of justice and equality, it has paid
out more 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 a judicious
and economical expenditure of the public
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-
sistently pursued a firm and prudent foreign
policy, preserving peace with all nations
while scrupulously maintaining all the rights
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 had been postponed by the action of a
Republican majority in the senate.
Honest reform in the civil service has been
~inaugurated and maintained by President
Cleveland, and he has brought the public SER
vice to the highest standard of efficiency, not
only by rule and precept, but by the example
of his own untiring and unselfsh 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 a continuance to the people Of
the benefits of good government, the national
Democracy invoke a renewal of the popular
trust by the re election of a chief magistrate
who has been faithful, able and prudent.
They invoke, in addition to that trust, the
transfer to the Democracy of the entire legis-
lative power.
The Republican party controlling the
senate and resisting in both houses of con-
gress a reformation Of unjust and unequal
tax laws, which have outlasted the neces-
sites of war and are now undermining the
abundance of a long peace, deny to the
people equality before the law and the fair
ness and the justice which are their right.
Thus the cry of American labor for q better
share of the rewards of industry is stihed
with false pretenses, enterprise is fettered
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 will continue with
all the power confided to it to struggle to re-
form these laws in accordance with pledges
of its last platform Endorsed at the ballot
box by the suffrages of the people.
OF all the industrious freemen of our land