The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-06-09
The platform as whole is as follows:

The platform as whole is as follows:
The democratic party OF the United
States In convention assembled renews the
pledge Of Its fidelity TO the democratic
faith, and reaffirms the platform adopted
by Its representatives In 1884, and indorses
the views expressed by President Cleve-
land in his last earnest message 10 congress
as the correct Interpretation of that plat
form upon the question of tariff reduction ;
and also iDdorses the efforts of our demo
cratic representatives In congress TO secure
d reduction Of excessive taxation.
Chief among its principles of party faith
are the maintenance of an indissoluble
union of free ana indistructible States, now
about to enter upon It's second century of
unexampled progress and renown devotion
10 the plan of government regulated by a
written constitution strictly specifying
every granted power, and expressly reser,-
ing TO the States or people the entire IN
granted residue of power; the encourage
ment of u jealous popular vigilance, direct
ed TO all who have been chosen for brief
terms to enact and execute the law, and are
charged with the duty of preserving peace,
insuring equality, and establishing justice.
The democratic party welcomes an eX-
acting scrutiny of the administration of the
executive power, which four years ago was
committed to It's trust In the election of
Grover Cleveland president of the United
States, and II challenges the most searching
inquiry concerning Its fidelity and devotion
70 the pledges which then invited the
suffrage Of the people. During a most
critical period of our financial affairs,
resulting from over taxation, the anoma
lOus condition of our currency, and a
public debt unmatured, II has by the
adoption of wise and conservative course
not only averted disaster, but greatly pro-
NOTED the prosperity of the people.
1, has reversed the improvident and
unwise policy of the republican party
touching the public domain, and has re-
claimed from corporations and syndicstes
alien and domestic, and restored TO the
people nearly l00,0O0,0O0 acres Of valuable
land TO be sacredly held as homesteads for
our citizens.
While carefully guarding the interests to
the principles of justice and equality, II
has paid out more for pensions and bounties
10 the soldiers and sailors of the republic
than was ever paid before during an equal
period. Ii has adopted. consistently pur-
uIH =,
preserving 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 provision Of treaty, the operation of
which has been postponed by the action Of
republican majority 10 the senate.
Honest reform Ia the civil service has
been inaugurated and maintained by
President Cleveland, and he has brought
the public service to the highest standard
Of efficiency, not only by rule and precept,
but by the example Of his own nntiring
and unselfsh administration Of public
affairs, etc.
In every branch and department Of the
government under democratic control the
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.
Upon its record thus exhibited and upon
the pledge Of continuance TO the people
Of the benefits Of democracy It invokes q
renewal Of popular trust by the reelection
of chief magistrate who has been faithful,
able and prudent, and invokes In addition
TO that trust the transfer also to the democ-
rscy Of the entire Legislative power.
The republican party, controlling the
senate, and resisting In both houses OF
congress, reformation Of unjust and une-
quail tax laws, which have outlasted the
necessities Of wsr and are now undermin-
ing the abundance of long peace, denies
TO the people equality before the law and
the fairness and the justice which are their
right. Then the cry Of American labor
for better share In the rewards of indus.
try Is satisfied with false pretenses, enter