Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-06-28
National Democratic Platform, 1883.

sThs DsmocrAtic party q the United
States In National convention assembled re-
psWs the pledge Of its fidelity to Democratic
iaith, and reaffirms the platform adopted by
- representatives In the convention OF 1884,
and endorses the views expressed BY Presi-
sSHs GIsvaenah tn BIZ last ARqsl msss e
that platform upon the question Of tariff re-
ducton and sso s1dHEsea the M sSSEtsr g 'r
secure a reduction OF excessive taxation.
7''Chief among its principles Of party faith
are the maintenance Of an indissoluble union
Of free aud indsstructible states now about 70
enter upon Its second century Of unexampled
progress and renown; devotion 10 a plan OF
government; regulated by written consti-
tuition, strictly specifying every granted
power and expressly reserving to the states
as 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 exc.
cute the laws, and are charged with the duty
Of preserving peace, ensuring equality and
establishing justice. H5' -s e+s.
"The Democratic party welcome an exact
ing scrutiny Of the administration OF the
executive power, which four years ago was,
committed 10 its trust, in the election OF
States. and 1t challenges the most searching
inquiry concerning its fidelity and devotion
to the pledges which then invited the SUI
frages Of the people,
.'During a most critical period of our
financial affairs, resulting from over taxa
ton, the anomalous condition OF our cur
rency and public debt unmatured, it has
by the adoption OF wise and conservative
course not only averted disaster, but
greatly promoted the prosperity OF the peo-
pie. - 80
"It has reversed the improvident aud un-
wise policy of the Republican party, touch
ing the public domain, and has reclaimed
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. ttE
'While carefully guarding the interest Oh
the taxpayers and conforming strictly to
the principles Of justice and equity, it has
| paid out more for pensions and bounties to
the soldiers and sailors of the republic than
was ever paid before during an equal period.
"By intelligent management and judi
| cious and economical expenditure OF the
public money it has set on foot the recon-
| struction of the American navy upon sys-
| tenn which forbids the recurrence OF scandal
and insures successful results.
| @"It has adopted and consistently pursued
| firm and prudent foreign policy, preserv-
| ing peace with all nations while scrupulously
maintaining all the rights and interests Of
our own government and people at home
| and abroad,
''The exclusion from our shores Of Chinese
laborers has been effectually secured under
| the provisions of a treaty, the operation of
| which has been postponed by the action of a
| Republican majority in the senate. 81
Honest reform in the civil service has
| been inaugurated and maintained by Presi-
dent Cleveland, and he has brought the pub
/ s-l.n -. ouIa aH1
| cheney, not only by rule and precept, but by
the example Of his untiring and unselfsh ad-
ministration of public affairs s,t
| "In every branch and department of the
| government under Democratic control, the
4 rights and the welfare of all the 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. .'} -s-.
upon its record thus exhibited and upon
the pledge of a continuance to the people of
che benefits Of good government, the Ma
| tional Democracy invokes q renewal OF pop
| ular trust by the reelection of chief mag
istrate, who has been faithful, able and pru-
dent. They invoke in addition to that trust,
| by the transfer to the Democracy of the en-
| tire legislative power.
| "The Republican party controlling the
senate and resisting in both houses of con-
gress reformation of unjust and unequal
| tax laws, which have outlasted the necessi-
ties of war and are now undermining the
| abundance of long peace, deny to the
people equality before the Law and the fair
ness and the justice which are their right.
Thus the cry of American laoor for better
share of the rewards of industry is stified
with false pretenses, enterprise is fettered
and bound down to home markets, capital
Is disturbed with doubt and unequal. unjust
laws can neither be properly amended nor
Repealed. --% E@"
''The Democratic party will continue with
Ill the power confided to 1t to struggle to re-
form these laws in accordance with the
pledges Of its last platform, endorsed at the
ballot-box by the suffrages OF the people.
''Of all the Industrious freemen of our
land an immense majority, including every
tiller Of the soil, gain no advantage from
excessive tax laws; but the price OF nearly
A everything they buy is increased by the ia
voritism OF an unequal system of tax legis-
lation. All unnecessary taxation is unjust
taxation. &C.
1T is repugnant to the creed Of Democ-
racy that BY such taxation the cost of the nee
essaries of life should be unjustly increased
, to all our people Judged by Democratic
principles, the interests of the people are be
trayed, when by unnecessary taxation, trusts
and conditions are permitted and fostered
which will unduly enrich the few that com
: bine to rob our citizens by depriving them
of the benefit OF natural competition
every Democratic rule of governmental
action is violated when through unnecessary
taxation a vast sum Of money, far beyond
the needs of an economical administration
is drawn from the people and the channel:
n OF trade, and accumulated rs demoraliziLe
/ surplus in the National treasury.
"rhe money now lying idle in the Federal
, treasury resulting from superfuous taxa,
tiof, amounts to more than $l25, ,000, 900, and
= the surplus collected is reaching the sum ol
, more than $50, ,0C0, 900
s'Debauched by this immense temptation
the remedy of the Republican party is tc
meet and exhaust it by extravagant taxa
tion. The Democratic remedy is to enforce
frugulity in public expenditures and abolish
unnecessary taxation Our established do
: nestle industries and enterprises should no
and need not be endangered by reduction
! and correction of the burdens Of taxation.
: "On the contrary, fair and careful re
vision Of our tax laws, with due allowances
: for the difference between the wages o
7 the American and foreign labor, must per
: init and encourage every branch Of such in
8 dustry and enterprise by giving them as
: surance of an extended market and steady
and continuous operation in the interest o.
| American labor which should in no event b.
neglected; the revision Of our tax laws, con
!. templated by the Democratic party and t.
promote the advantage OF such labor, BY
q cheapening the cost Of the necessaries of lif
in the home of every workingman, and a
/. the same time securing to him steady ant
n remunerative employment.
"Upon this question of tariff reform, s,
!. closely concerning every phase Of ou
. natural life and upon every question in
\ volved in the problem OF good governmen