The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-08-23
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.


The Democratic party of the United States
in National convention assembled, renews the
pledge of its fidelity 10 the Democratic faith
and rcanirms the platform adopted by its rep
resentatiycs in the convention of 1891, and in
dorses the views expressed by resident Cleve
land in his last npnal message to Congress as
the correct Interpretation of that platform mp
on the question OF tariff reduction; and also
inaOrses the efforts of our Democratic Repre-
sentativeS in Congress to secure a reduction of
Chief among its principles Of party faith are
the maintenance of an indiSsoluble Union of
free and indestrnctIile y ates now about TO
enter upon its Sc ond century OF unexampled
progress and renown; devotion t0 plan of
government, regulated by a written cOnstitu-
ton strictly specifying everv granted power
and expressly leserving To she States or people
the entire hngrauted residue of power; the
encouragement OF je tlOus popular vigilance.
directed 10 all who have heen chosen for brief
terms to enact and execnte the laws. and ?
charged with the duty of preserving peace
ensnrine equality and establishing Justice
The Democratic party welcomes an eXacting
scrutiny OF the administration OF the executive
power which. Tour years ago was committed
to Its trn>t in the election of Grover Clevela nd
Pr. sIient OF the United States and it chalIen-
geS the mo t searclinS inquiry concerning its
fidelity and devotion to the pledges which then
invited the sufrages uf the people Daring
mosi critical period of our financial affairs,
resulting from over-taxatiOn. the anomalous
condition of our C rrenry, and a public debt
unmatured, it has by the adoption OF wise
and conse alive course, not only averted dis
aster, but greatly promoted the prosperity of
the people,
Itnas reversed the unwise and improv ovident
policy o. the Republican party -uching the
ration> and sYndIcateS. alien and domestic,
and restored to the people nearly one hundred
millions of acres of valuable land 10 be sacred
ly held as honest eads for our citizens.
While carefully guarding the interests OF the
tax payers and conforming strictly TO the prin
ciples oil justice and equity. it has paid out
more for pensions anu b0untles 10 the soldiers
and sailors OF the Republic than was ever paid
before during an equal period.
by intelligent management and judicious
and economical expenditure of the public mon
ey, 1t has set on foot the reconstruction OF the
American navy upon system which forbids
the reeun cnce OF scandal, and insures success
it has adopted and consistently pursued a
firm and prudent foreign policy, preserving
peac, with all natio while scrupulousy main
tanning all the rights and interests OF our own
Government and people, at home and abroad
borers has been etfectualIy secured under the
provisions of treaty. the operation OF which
| lican majority in the Sc ate
Honest reform in The civil service has been
| inaugurated and maintained by President
| Cleyel and he has br II ght the public SER
| vice tn the highest standard of efficiency, moi
only by rule and precept, but by the example
If his own untiring and unselfish adminstra
tiun oil pub ic affairs. In every branch and
| Il. ,rtment of the Government under DemU
| cratic control the rights and the welfare OF al
the people have Deen guarded and defended
every public intel est has been projected. anG
the equality of all our citizens before The law
1 without egard to race or color has been stead
| Upon its record thus exhibited. and upon the
pleuge of a co Dtinuance 10 the people OF the
benefits of good government. the National De
mocracy invokes a renewal of popular trus
by The re election of a Chief Magistrate who
has been faithful, able and prudent They in
| woke an addition 10 that trust by the transfer
to the Democracy of the entire Legislative
power.
| and resisting in both Houses of Congress N re
| fOrm n lnW
| which have ouIlasted the necessities OF wa
| and are now undermining the abundance Oh
long peace. deny To the people equality beior
the law and the fairness and the Justice whiCl
ale their right. Thus the cry OF american Ia
Dor for better share OF the rewards OF indus
try is stifed with false pretenses enterprise
| tettered aud bound down to home markets
capital is disturbed with doubt. and unequal
unjust laws can neither be properly amends
or repealed. 60,
| The Democratic party will continue, with al
the power confded to it. the struggle to reinrr
| these laws in accordance with the pledges of il
ast platform, indorsed at the ballot box by n
suffrages of the people. Of all the lndustrieu
freemen of the land, an immense majority. in
Guiding every tiller of the soil gain no advan
nea. ly everything they buy Is increased by III
favoritism Of an unequal system of tax legis
latiOn.
All unnecessary taxation is unjust taxation
1t is repugpant 10 The creed of Democracy ihs
by such taxation the cost of the necessa. les {
life should be unjustifably increased to all ou
people. Judged by Democratic principles tn
interest of the people are betrayed when b
| unnecessary taxation, trusts and ombinatiOn
| are permiJtcd and fOstered. which, while er
| riching the few, combine 10 rob our citizens
depriving them of the beneht of natural CON
| petition. Every Democratic rule OF govern
mental action is violated when LII Ough unnet
| essary taxation. VAST sum OF money, far be
| yond the needs oil an economical aIminis3rs
tinn, is drawn from the people and the char
| nels of trade, and accumulated AS demoralil
ing surplus in the National Treasury. TIL
money how y ing idle in the Federal Treasur,
resulting from superHuous taxation, amount
, | 10 more than x32N, 900 600, and the surplus co
lectri reaching the sum of more than $iU
HEI OU annu lily. Debauched by this Immens
| mpUatian the remedy of the Republican part
! Is To meet and exhaust by extravagant apprl
| priaiions and'eXpenses whether constitutions
| CT not. the accumulat on of eXtravagaut t4xs
tiSn The Democratic remedy is to enfurC
| frug .lity in public expenditures. and abolis
un ecessary taxation our established domes
| tic industries aud enterprises should not an
| need not be endangered by reduction an
| correction OF the burdens OF taxation. Dn tt
contrary, a fair an I careful revision of our ia
laws. with due allowance for the dilfei enc
between the wages of American ard Ioreig
labor, must promote and encourage eynr
| branch OF such industries and enterprises b
giving them assurance of an extended markG
and steady and continuous operations.
In the interest of American labor, whic
| should in no event be neglected the revision
| our tax laws contemplated BY the Democrat
| party, tend to promote the ADVANTAGE of sue
labor bv che opening the cost of neeessaries
life in the home OF every wOrkingman, and
, the same time securing to him steady and RI
munerative employment. Upon this questiO
of tariff reform. SO closely concerning ever
| phase of our national life and upon ever
question involved in the problem of good gov
ernment. the Democratic party submits il
. principles and professions to the intelligeI
| m fra auaS n a a