The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1888-06-14
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM. ic
b
The democratic party of the Uni t
ed States in national convention as Q
embled renews the pledges of its Fl '
ielity to democratic faith and reaf- i
lrms the platform adopted by its i
representatives. 10 the convention of 9
1884, and endorses the views ex-
pressed by President Cleveland in
ais last earnest message to congress I
IS the correct Interpretation of that {
platform upon the question of tar
if reduction and also endorses the {
efforts of our democratic representa-
tives In congress to secure reduc-
ton of excessive taxation. Chief
among its principles of party faith
are the maintenance of an undlssol-
uble union of free and indestructa-
BILE states, now about to enter upon
its second century of inexampled
progress and renown, devotion to a
plan of government regulated by
written constitution, strictly speci-
flying ever granted power and ex-
pressly reserving to the state or
people the entire ungranted resi-
due of power; the encouragement of
a jealous popular vigilance, directed
to all who have been chosen
for brief terms to enact and ex-
ecute the laws and are charged with
The duty of preserving peace, en-
surfing equality and establishing
justice.
The democratic party welcome an |
exacting scrutiny of the admins
tration OF the executive power which |
four years ago was committed to its
trusts in the election of Grover
Cleveland president of the United
States; and it challenges the most
searching inquiry concerning its f.
deity and devotion to the pledges
which then invited the SURFACES of
the people.
During a most critical period of
our financial affairs, resulting in
over-taxation, the anomalous con-
dition of our currency. and pub
lie debt unmatured, it has, by the
adoption of wise and conservative
course, not only prevented disas-
ter, but greatly promoted the pros
perity Of the people.
1t has reversed the improvident
and unwise policy of the republi-
can party touching the public do.
main, and has reclaimed from cor
porations and syndicates, alien and
domestic, and restored to the peo-
pie nearly one hundred millions of
acres of valuable land to be sacred
ly held as homesteads for our citi-
zens.
While carefully guarding the in
terests 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.
1t has adopted and consistently
pursued a firm and prudent foreign
policy, with all nations, while scru
pulously maintaining all the rights
, and interests of our own govern
ment and people at home and
abroad.
The exclusion from our shores of
Chinese laborers has been efectual-
, ly secured under the provisions OF
treaty, the operation of which has
F been postponed by the action Of a
republican majority in the senate
In every branch and department
of the government under democratic
control the rights and welfare of the
people have been guarded and de-
Tended; every public interest has
been protected, aud the equality OF
all our citizens before the law with
OUT regard to race or color has been
steadfastly maintained.
Upon its record thus exhibited
and upon the pledge of continu-
, ance to the people of the benefits OF
, democracy inEokes a renewal Of
popular trust by the reelection of a
chief magistrate who ha been
faithful, able and prudent.
We invoke in addition to that
, trust the transfer also to the de-
mocracy of the entire Legislative
power. The republican party, con
f trolling the senate and resisting in
, both houses of congress q reforma
ton of unjust and unequal tax laws
3 which have outlasted Che necessi-
ties of war are now undermin ming
the abundance of . long peace, de
t ny to the people equally before the
e law and the fairness and the justice
which are their right. Then the
e cry of American labor for better
! share in the rewards of industry il
a stifed with false pretenses, enter
e prise is fettered and bounC
e hound down to home markets; cap
Il ital is discouraged with doubt, ant
uneGaal, unjust Jaws can neither be
e properly amended or repealed, Th'
, democratic party will continue, will
9 all the power confded to it, thu
e struggle to reform these laws in &C
r cordance with the pledges of its las
t platform, endorsed at the ballot
3 box with the SURFACES of the PEG
E pie. Of all tie Industrious freemer
3 OF our land the immense majority
| including every tiller of the soil
t gain no advantage from excessive
! taxation, but the price of nearly
| everything they Guy Is increased by
r favoritism of an unequal system o
tax legislation. All unn ecessary
taxation is unjust taxation. 1t il
repugnant to the creed of de
d mocracy that by sach taxation
8 the cost of the necessaries Of lif,
: should be unjustifable to all oul
? people. Judged by democratic
: principles, the interests of the PEG
r pie are betrayed when by unnecessa
3 ry taKatiop trusts and combina
] tions are permitted to exists, which
;. while unduiy .enrichiag the few
!, combine to rob the body of oul
t citizens by depriving them OF til,
, benefits Of natural competition. Ev
t cry democratic rule Of government
tai action is violated when, though
: unnecessary taxation, a vast sum
of money, far beyond the needs Of
an economical administration, is
+. drawn from the people and the
channels of trade, and accumulated
as demoralizing. surplus in the ma
tional treasury. The money now
lying idle in the federal treasury
resulting FROM .superfluous taxation
amounts to more than one hundred