St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-06-14
CURRENT AFFAIRS.
CLEVELAND AND THURMAN.
The Democratic Candidates and Flat
form.

st. Louis Thursday. On the preceding
day Grover Cleveland was nominated
for the first place on the ticket by ac-
clamation, no other name coming be-
fore the convention. His name was
presented by Daniel Dougherty and
the result was received with great en-
thusiasm.
The real contest of the convention
was between Allen G.. Thurman of
| Ohio and Ex-GOv. Gray of Indiana for
the second place on the ticket, though
it was evident from the first that Thur
man would receive the nomination.
His name was presented by M. F. Tar
pey of California and he was nominal
ed on the first ballot.
The platform was presented by Hem
~ Watterson of Kentucky, and was
unanimously adopted.
| The Platform.
The democratic party of the United
States, in national convention assem-
bled, renews the pledges of it's fidelity
to democratic faith, and reaffirms the
platform adopted by its representa-
tives in the convention of 1884, and
indorses the views expressed by Presi
dent Cleveland in his last annual mes
sage to Congress as the correct inter-
probation of that platform upon the
question of tariff reduction, and also
indorses the efforts of our democratic
representatives in congress to secure a
reduction of excessive taxation. Chief
| ir,1o of rty FOR
the maintenance of an indissoluble
union of free and indestructible states,
now about to enter upon its second
renown devotion to a plan of govern
ment regulated by written cOnstitu-
ton strictly specifying every granted
states or people the entire ungranted
residue of power; the encouragement
of 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 pre-
serving peace, insuring equality, and
establishing justice.
The democratic party welcomes an
exacting scrutiny of it's administration
of the executive power which four
years ago was committed to it's trust
in the election of Grover Cleveland
president of the United States, and it
| challenges the most searching inquiry
concerning its fidelity and devotion to
| the pledges which then invited the
suffrages of the people. During a
most critical period of our financial af-
fairs, resulting from over taxation, the
| anomalous condition of our currency,
and public debt unmatured, it has,
by the adoption of a wise and cOnser
vative course not only averted disas-
| ter, but greatly promoted the prosper
| ity of the people. 1t has reversed the
improvident and unwise policy of the
| republican party touching the public
domain, and has reclaimed from corpO-
ratiOns and syndicates, alien and do
nestle, and restored to the people,
nearly LOG ,000, 900 of acres of valuable
land to be sacredly held as homesteads
for our citizens.
While carefully guarding the inter-
est of the taxpayers, and conforming
strictly to the principles of justice and
equality, it has paid out for pensions
and bounties to the soldiers and sailors
of the republic more than was ever paid
before during an equal period. By in
telligent management and a Judlcious
and economic expenditure of the pub
lie money it has set on foot the recon-
strnctinn nf tho AmoriCiLn navy upon
system which forbids the recurrence of
scandal and insures successful results.
1t has adopted and consistently pur
sued a firm and prudent foreign policy,
preserving peace with all nations,
while scrupulOusly maintaining all the
rights and interests of our own gov
eminent and people at home and
abroad. The exclusion from our shores
of Chinese laborers has been effectual-
ly secured under the provisions of Il
treaty, the operation of which has been
postponed by the action of a republic
can majority in the senate.
Honest reform in the civil service
has been inaugurated and maintained
by President Cleveland, and he has
brought the public service to the high
est standard of efficiency, not only by
rule and precept, but by example of
his own untiring and unselfish admin
istration of public affairs.
In every branch and department of
the government under democratic con-
troll the rights and the welfare of all
the people have been guarded and de-
Tended every public interest has been
zens before the law, without regard to
race or color, has been steadfastly
maintained.
Upon it's record thus exhibited, and
upon the pledge of a continuance to
the people of the benefits of good gov
ernments the national democracy in
woke a renewal of popular trust by the
reelection of chief magistrate who
has been faithful, able and prudent.
They invoke, in addition to that trust,
the transfer to the democracy of the
entire legislative power. The republi-
can party, controlling the senate and
resisting in both houses of congress a
reformation of uni ust and unequal laws
which have Outlasted the necessities of
war and are now undermining the
abundance of a long peace, deny to the
people equality before the law and the
fairness and the justice which are their
right. Thus the cry of American la
Dor for better share of the rewards
of industry is stified with false preten-
ces, enterprise is fettered and bound
down to home markets, capital is dis
turbed with doubt, and unequal, unjust
laws can never be properly amended
nor repealed.
The democratic party will continue
with all the power confded to struggle
to reform these laws in accordance
with pledges of it's last platform, in
dorsed at the ballot-box by the suf
frages of the people.
The platform reiterates the state
ment that all unnecessary taxation is
unjust taxation declares the demo-
cratic remedy for reducing the surplus