The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-08-02
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

The Democratic party OF the United States.
in National convention assembled, reneWs the |
nIedge of its fidelity TO the Democratic faith, |
and reafirmS the platform adopted Dy lts rep |
resentatives in the convention OF iS-4, ana IN
dorses the views expressed by President Cleve
land in his last annual message to congress, as (
the correct Interpretation of that platform up
on the question of tariff reduction; ana also
indorses lhe efforts of our Democratic Repre-
sentat1ves in Congress to secure Ieductloh oil
excessive taxation. ....,.
Chief among its principles of party Ialth are
the maintenance of an indissoluhle Union OF
free and indestructible ates now about 10
enter upon Its sc. onu cenLuIy Vi ip piIT oe
Government, regulated By a written constltu-
fion strictly specifying every granted power
and expressly leserving to he states or people
the eptirt ungranted residue OF power; the
encouragement OF jealous popular vigilance;
directed to all who nave neen CHOSEN LOT oflei
Terms 10 enact and execute tbs laws. and :
ensnsine tquality and establishing justice.
The Democratic parry welcomes an exactlng
s.rutiny of tue administration oil the executive
power which, tour years ago was committed
to its trust in the election of Grover Cleveland
prs sident OF the United States. and 1t challen-
res the mo t care ing inquiry concerning its
fidelity and devotion to the pledges which then
invited the sufrages Cf the people During
nost critical period OF our financial affairs.
resulting from over-taxation. the anomalous
condition of our FRENZY, and a public debt
nnmatured,.i it has by the adoption OF wise
md cons. RI ative course, not only averted dis
aster but greatly promoted the prosperity oil
the people ., :o.-;5,,,.
| policy OF the kepubjican party uchlng the
nnblic domain and has reclaimed from eorpo-
raticns and syndieates, ainea ana a5me5tS;
millions of acr.s of valuable land to be sacred
| ly held as homes;eads for our citizens
| While carefully guarding the interests oil the
tax payers ana conforming strictly 10 the prIn
| ciples OF justice and equity, 1t has PAM out
| more for pensions and bvnntIes TO the soldiers
| and sailors OF the Republic than was ever paid
| hefore during an equal PERIOD
| By intelligent management aud a Judiclous
| anu economical expenditure of the public mon
| ev NJ mas set on foot the reconstruction OF The
| american navy upon system which forbid;
the recuu ence of scandal, and insnres success
| Ii has adopted and consistently pursued &
| firm and prudent foreign policy, preserving
| peae,- with all ma ions while scrupuloIsly main
| I.iniar all the rights and interests OF our owl
Government aud people. at home and abroad
lhe exclusion from our shores OF Chinese la
borers has been effectualiy secured under tn,
| nyoyis,ons of a treaty the operation of whici
has been postponed by the action OF Repub
lican majority in the se' ate
Honest reform in the civil service has heel
inanpurated and maintained by Pres lde u
| tleS Gland, and he has brt night the pubic ser
vice to the highest stahda.i OF eInoieneY, no No
| f his own untiriDg anu nnselhsh admlnlstra
lion OF pubic affairs. In every branch an
a, ID ,rtment of the Government under Demo
cratic control the rights and the Welfare of al
the people have been guarded aud defended
every public interest has been protected. an
| without egard to race or color has been stead
lastly maintained ~ a.,
Upon its record TINS exhibited. and upon th
| ple,Ige of a co ontinuance 10 the people OF tn
. | henefits of good government, the National Dt
mocracy invokes a renewal OF popular tru
by the re election of Chief Magistrate wh
, has been faithful able and prudent. they il
woke an addition 10 that trust by the .transIt
to the Democracy OF the entire legislatiN
The Republican party. controlling the Sena
and resisting in both Houses of Congress u n
formation of unjust and unequ1i tax law
which have outlasted the necessities OF Wi
+ and are now undermining the abundance oil
long peace, deny to the people equality beto
| the law and the fairness and the justice whi'
are their right. Thus the cry OF American
Dor for better share OF the rewards Of indu
try is stifed with false pretenseS. enterprise
: fettered and bound down to home mafke
, caultai is disturbed with doubt. and unequ;
! unjust laws can neither be properly amend
or repealed
e The Democratic party will continue, with ,
e the power contided to it. the struggle to relni
these laws in accordance with the pledges OF
asst platform, indorsed at the ballot box by :
s suffrages of the people OF all the lndustrio
l freemen of the land, an Immense majority.
: cluding every tiller OF the soil, gain NO adVa
Z tage f. ON excessive tax laws; but the price
IS neatly every thing they buy Is ircreased py
a fayoritism N of an unequal system OF tax leg
! lation. ....;
y II is repugra amt % The creed of Democracy Il
- nv such taxation the cost of the neccssa IL
u life should be unjustiiiably increased to all
Us people. Judged by Democratic principles.
interest of the people are betrayed when,
~. Unnecessary taxation, trusts and comblnattt
u arc permiuiea and fostered. which, while
ic riching the few combine % rob our citizens
4, depriving them of the bentht OF natural co
nefition. Every Democratic rule OF COVE
81 | mental action is violated when. tn ough unn
n. | essary taxation. II vast sum OF money, far
i youd the needs Of AN economical admlntsl
N tin. is drawn from the people and the Gu;
;" nels of trade. aud accamnlsteed asa as demora
ing surplus in the National treasury. i
money now lying idle in the Federal Treasu
resnlting from superhuous taxation, amou
to more Than S32A.UO0.OO0 and the surplus {
lertea IS reaching the sum of more than 5
no OmI OJ a nnu llly. Debaucheu by this lmme
.;. tenl ptation tue remedy OF the Republican pa
va Is 10 meet and exhaust by extravagant app
10 priaions aud expenses wneener conss.eutlo ~
tinn Ihe Democratic remedy Is to enfo
lt' frur l'ty in public expenditures. and abol
Llr nm ecessary taxation our estapllsned uon
m. tie industries AID enterprises should not
- need not be endangered by reduction
ne correction of the burdens OF taxation ON
MT contrary a fair an Garei1l revision OF our
Jv laws with due allowance for the dlneie e
.y between the wages OF American ana lore
Ok labor must promote and encourage eV
as branch of such industries and enterprises
oc giving them assurance OF an e46enueu mar
eS and steady and continuous operations
IN In the interest of American labor. WI
I'M | shoufd in no event be neglected the revlsIo
our tax laws contemplated by the Democr
of marty tend to promote the advantage OF 5
at. labor bv cheapening the cost OF necessarle
"a life in the Rome of every w0rkingman, ant
nu the same time securing to him steady and
10 muneraiivc employment. Upon this ques
gpf. of tariff reform, so closely concerning eV
20 phase of our national lie ana upon eV
SO Question involved in the problem OF good 9
ta- ernment. the Democratic party submits
m. principles and professions to the intellil
. q, suffra ges of the American people