Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1888-06-21
THE PLATFORM OF 1855.
Endorsement Of the Principles Of 1884
and the Presidents Message.

The Democratic party of the United
States, in national convention assembled,
renews the pledge of its fidelity to Dem
ocratic faith and reafirms the platform
adopted by its representatives in the cou-
vention of 1884, and indorses the views
expressed by President Cleveland in his
last earnest message to Congress as the
correct Interpretation of that platform
upon the question of tariff reduction and
also indOrses the efforts of our Democrat
ic representatives in Congress to secure a
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 unex-
ampled progress and renown, devotion to
plan of government regulated by a
written constitution strictly specifying
every granted power, and expressly re-
serving to the States or people the entire
ungranted residue of power, the encour-
agement 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, ensuring equality, and es-
tablishing justice.
The Democratic party welcome an ex-
acting scrutiny of the administration OF
the executive power, which four years ago
was committed to its 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 suArages of the people. Dur
ing 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 It wise and conservative
course, not only averted disaster but
greatly promoted the prosperity of our
people.
1t has reversed the improyident and
unwise policy of the Republican party
touching tho public domain, and has re-
claimed 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 interest
to the principles of justice and equity il
has paid out more for pensions and boun-
ties to the soldiers and sailors Of the re
public than was ever paid before during
an equal period. 1t has adopted and
consistently pursued firm and pruden
foreign policy, preserving peace with al
nations, while scrupGlously maintaining
all the rights and interests Of our OWL
! governmen and people at home and abroad
The exc usion from our shores of Chinese
laborers has been effectually secured un
der the provisions Of treaty, the opera
ton of which has been postponed by tn
action of a Republican majority in tn
Senate. Honest reform in the civil ser
vice has been inaugurated and maintain
ed by President Cleveland, and he ha
brought the public service to the highes
standard of efficiency, not only by rul
and precept, but by the example of hi
own untiring and unselfsh administra
ton of public affairs.
In every branch and department of tn
government under Democratic control, tn
rights and the welfare of all the peopl
have been guarded and defended ever
public interest has been protected, and th
equality of all our citizens before the law