Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-06-15
THE PLATFORM
ADOPTED by THE DEMOCRATIC
CONVENTION AT ST. LOUIS.

The Democratic party of the
United States, in National con-
vention assembled, renews the
pledge of its fidelity to the Demo
cratic faith, and reaflrms the plat
form adopted by its representatives
In convention Of 1884, and en-
dOrses the views expressed by
President Cleveland in his last
annual message TO Congress as a
correct Interpretation of that plat
form upon the question of tariff re-
duction and also endorses the
efforts of our Democratic represen-
tatives in Congress to secure a re-
duction of excessive taXatiOn.-
Among its principles of party faith
are the maintenance OF an indis-
soluble union of free and inde-
structiblc States now about to
enter its second century Of uneX-
ampled progress and renOwn, a
devotion to the plan OF govern
ment regulated by the written
Constitution strictly specifying
every granted power and express
" reserying to the States or people
entire the ungranted residue of
power; the encouragement of a
Jealous popular vigilance, directed
to all who have been chosen for
brief terms to enact and execute
laws, and are charged with the
duty of preserving the peace, and
insuring equality and establishing
Justice. The Democratic party
welcomes the exactng scrutiny OF
the administration of executive
power which four years ago was
committed to its trusts IN the elec
ton of Grover Cleveland President
of the United States, but it chal
lenges the most searching inquiry
concerning its fidelity and devo
tIon to the pledges which then
invited the suifrages of the peo pie
during the most critical period OF
our financial affairs, resulting from
overtaxatlon, anomalous condition
of our currency, and the public
debt unmatured. 1t has by the
adoption of its policy not only
avoided disaster, but greatly pro-
NOTED the prosperity of the people,
1t has reversed the improvidenI
and unwIse policy of the Republi'
can party touching public domain,
and reclaimed from corporations
syndicates, alien and domestic, and
restored to the people nearly one
hundred million acres of land to be
sacredly held as hOmesteads fol
our citizens.
While carefully guarding th
interest to principles of justice and
equity it has paid out more fol
pensions and bOunties to soldiers
and sailors of the Republic thar
was ever paid before during al
equal period. 1t has adopted AM
consistently pursued a firm AM
prudent foreign policy, preserving
peace with all nations with scru
pulousIy maintaining all right
and interests of our own Govern
ment and people at home an
abroad.
The exclusion from our shore
of Chinese laborers has been effect
ually secured under the provislo
of the treaty, the operation {
} which has been postponed by &C
ton of the Republican majority
= the Senate.
In every branch and departmer
, of the Government under Dem'
: cratic control the rights and we
fare of all the people have bee
/ guarded and defended ever
p public interest has been protecte
t and the equality of all our cltizer
I known to the law without regard
race or color been steadfastly mai
tanned. Upon its record, thus e.
( hlbited, and upon a pledge OF
continuance to the people OF tn
benefits of Democracy invokes
i renewal of the popular trusts |
To- the re. election of the Chief Magl
d trate who has been faithful, abl
s and prudent, to invoke in additlo
], to that trust by the transfer all
+ to the Democracy Of the entl
5 legislative power.
The Republican party, contrC
J ling the Senate and resisting
s both houses of Congress a reform
n ton of the unjust and unequal t.
d laws, which have outlasted tI
r. necessities of war and are now u
;. dermining the abundance OF loI
IL peace, deny to the people equall
It before the law and the fairness al
" Justice which are their right. IL
y CRY of American labor for a bett
share in the rewards of industry
stiHed with false pretences, entt
i prise is iettered and bound dow
to home markets; capital is d
% couraged with donbt and uneau'
+ unjust laws can neither be proper
III amended or repealed. The Den
u cratic party will continue with
81 the power cOndded to it to strugl
~ to reform these laws in accordan
~ with the pledges of its last pl
'' form, endorsed at the ballot'b'
'' by the suffrages of the people.