Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-06-22
TEE PLATFORM.
Declarations of the Democratic Party
on the Issues Of the Coming
Campaign.
Text Of the Resolutions Adopted by the
National Convention ut
St. Louis.

national convention assembled, renews the
pledge Of its fidelity to the Democratic faith, and
reuffirms the platform adopted by its representa-
tives in the convention of 1854 and indorses the
views expressed by President Cleveland III ms
lust earnest message to Congress rs the correct
interpretation of that platform upon the ques-
ton of tariff reduction; and also Endorses the
efforts of Democratic representatives IN
Congress to secure Il reduction OF excessive taA-
alton.
Chief among it's principles of party faith are
she maintenance of indissoluble union of
free and nlesuuctible States, now about to en-,
ter upon its second century of unexampled
progress and renown devotion to n plan of gov
eminent regulated by written Constitution
>rictly specifying every granted power, and ex-
tire unsrnnted residue of power; the encourage
ment of jealous popular vigilance, directed 10
all who have been chosen for brief terms to en-
net and execute the laws. and are charged with
the duty of preserving peace insrrins equality,
and establishing justice.
| The Democratic party welcomes an exactlng
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 suffrages of the people. During critical
period of our financial affairs resulting from
cver-taxation, the anomalous condition OF our
currency, and a public debt unmntured it has by
the adoption of Il wise and statesmanlike course
not only 1verted disaster but greatly promoted
| the prosperity of the people.
| 1t has reversed the improvldent and l,llwlse
policy of the Republican purity touching the
| public domain and has reclaimed from corpora
lions and syndicates alien and domestic ia re-
of acres of valuable land to be sacredly held MS
| homesteeds for citizens.
While carefully guarding the interests OF the
people, consistent with the principles of Justice
and equity it has paid out soi more o iof
sailors of the Republic than was ever paid
before during equal period. 1t has adopted,
consistently pursued, q firm and prudent foreign
| policy preserving peace with all nations while
scrupulously maintaining NIL the rights and in
terests of our own Government and people Mt
home and abroad
horers has been etfectually secured under the
provision Of treaty, the operation of which has
| been postponed by the action OF q Republican
majority in the Senate
Honest reform in the civil service has been in
nugurated and maintained by President Cleve-
| the highest standard OF efficiency, not only by
, | rule and precept but by the example OF his own
| untiring and unselfish administration OF pubhc
affairs.
In every branch and department of the Govern.
ment under De1nocratlc contfol, tne Tights Elld
the welfare OF all the people have been guarded
!, | and defended; every public interest has been
protected. and the equality Of I'LL our citizens be-
fore 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 ben
efits of Democracy it invokes renewal of popu-
lar trust by the reelection of Chief Magistrate
who has been faithful able, and prudent, and in
vokes in addition that trust the transfer also to
the Democracy of the entire legislative power.
The Republican party, controlling the Senate
|
reformation Of unjust and unequal tax laws.
which have outlasted the necessities of war, and
are undermining the abundance of long
period of peace, deny to the people equality be-
z fore the law, and the fnilness and the justice
which their right. The cry of American labor
for better share in the rewards of industry is
stitied with false pretenses, enterprise is fet-
l tered, and bound down to home markets. capital
f is discouraged with doubt, and unequal, UNI
just laws neither be properly amended nor
= repealed.
t The Democratic party will continue with all
dad
these laws in accordance with the pledges of its
last PLATFORM Endorsed at the ballot box by the
S freeman Of our land, the immense mujority, in
i Guiding every tiller OF the SOIL gain advantage
from excessive tax laws, but the price of ne,lry
everything they buy is increased by the favorit-
Il ism Of an unequal system of tax legislation
7 All unnecessary taxation is unjust taxation
:, by such taxation the cost of the necessnries o.
: life should be Enthusiastically increased to all oul
a people. Judged by Democratic principles, the
e interests of the people are betrayed when, b,
: unnecessary taxation, trusts and combination
are permitted to exist which, while unduly enrich
i ing the few that combine, rob the body of our cti
S zens by depriving them of the benefits Of nat
n ural competition. Every rule of governmental
action is violated, when. through unnecessar,
taxation vast sum OF money fnr beyond thu
needs of an economical administration is draw
from the people the channels of trade and nc
II cumulated us demoralizing surplus in the Ma
F., tional Treasury
F" The money nowlying idle in the Federal Treas
), amounts to more than one hundred and twenty
five millions, and the surplus collected is reach
II ing the sum Of more than sixty millions annual
, ly. Debauched by this immense temptation tn,
1t remedy of the Republican party is to meet IN.
4 exhaust by extravagant appropriations and ex
penses, whether constitutional or not. the accu
! mutation of extravagnnt taxation. The Demo
II crntic policy is to enforce fugaity in public ex
IS pense and abolish unnecessary taxation
Our established domestic industries and en-
tell)rises should not and need not be endange,e,
by the reduction and correction of the burdens
OF taxation On the contrary I, fair and careful
revision OF our tax laws, with due allowance TO
the difference between the wages of American
and foreign labor, must promote and encoyran,
every branch of such industries and enterprises
by giving them assurance of extended nlarke
and steady and continuous operations In tn,
interests OF American labor, which should il, 11t
event be neglected the revision of our LAX law,
contemplated by the Democratic purity should
promote the advantage of such labor by cheapen
ing the cost OF necessnries of life in the home O
every worklnSllall and at the same time secur
ing to him steady and remunerntive employment
Upon this question of tariff reform SO closeh
concerning every phase of our national life all5
upon every question involved in the problem O
. good government. the Democratic party submit,
. It's principles and professions to the Intelligent
sutrnges OF the American people.
The Mother ut Home.
The mother is the heart of the home
She it is who determines its characteristic
|