Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1888-06-18
The Democratic Platform.

The following is the platform
adopted at St. Louis The demo-
cratic party of the United States, in
national convention assembled, re-
news the pledge of its fidelity to
democratic faith. and reaffirms the
platform adopted by itf representa-
tives in the convention of 1884, and
endorses the views expressed by
President Cleveland In his last ear
nest messages to congress as the
correct Interpretation of that plat
form upon the question of tariff re-
duction, and also endorses the efforts
of our democratic 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 CEN
fury of unexampled progress and re-
nown devotion to a plan of govern
ment regulated by written consti-
tuition strictly specifying every grant
ed power and expressly reserving
to the state or people the entire un-
granted residue of power; the en-
couragemen of jealous popular
vigilence directed to all who have
been chosen for brief terms to enact
and execute the laws and are charg-
ed with the duty of preserving peace,
ensuring equality and establishing
justice.
The democratic party welcomes
an exacting scrutiny of the admin
istration of the executive power,
which four years ago was committed
to it in the election of Grover Cleve-
land, president of the United States,
but it challenges the most searching
inquiry concerning its fidelity and
devotion to the pledges which then
invited the suffrages of the people
during most critical period of our
financial affairs resulting from over
taxation. the anomalous condition
of our currency and public debt
unmatured. 1t has, by the adop-
ton of its policy, not only avoided
a disaster, but greatly promoted the
prosperity of the people.
1t has reversed the imprOvident
and unwise policy of the republican
party, touching the public domain,
and has reclaimed from corporations
and syndicates, alien and domestic,
and restored to the people nearly
100, OOO,O 900 acres of valuable land
to be sacredly held as homestead for
our citizens. While carefully guard
the interests to the principles of JUS
tice and equity it has paid out more
for pensions and bounties to the
soldiers of the republic than was
ever paid before during an equal
period.
1t has adopted and consistently
pursued a firm and prudent foreign
policy, preserving peace with all
nations, while scrupulously maintain
ing all the rights and interests of
our own government and people at
home and abroad. the exclusion |
from our shores of Chinese labors
has been effectually secured under
the provisions of treaty, the opera
ton of which has been postponed by |
the action of republican majority |
in the senate.
In every branch and department |
of the government, under democrat
ic control, the rights and the well
fare of all people have been guarded |
and defended, every public interest
has been protected and the equality
of all our citizens before the law,
without regard to race or color, has
been steadfastly maintained.
Upon its record thus exhibited and |
upon the pledge of continuance to
the people of the benefits of democ
racy, it invokes a renewal of popu-
ular trust by the reelection of a
chief magistrate who has been faith
full, able and prudent. To invoke,
in addition to that trust, by the
also to the democracy of the
entire Legislative power.