Tombstone epitaph., 1888-06-16
THE PLATFORM.

THE PLATFORM. The Declaration of Principles for Which the |
 Democracy Win do Battle. The democratic party of the United | States, in National Convention assembled renews the pledge of its fidelity to Dem. ocratic faith, and reaffirms the platform adopted by its representatives in 1884 and indorses the views expressed by President Cleveland in his last message to Congress, as the correct interpretation of that platform upon the question oi tariff reduction. And it also indorses the efforts of our democratic representa- tives in Congress to secure reduction of excessive taxation.
 Chief among its principles of party faith are the maintalnance of an indis- soluble Union of free and indestructable states, now about to enter upon its second century of unexampled progress; its known devotion to plan of govern ment regulated by written constitution, strictly specifying every granted power and expressly reservirg to the states or people the entire ungranted residue of power; the encouragement of a jealous popular vigilance directed to all who have been chosen for brief terms to enact and execute the laws, and are charged with the duty of preserving the 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 its trust in the cleo :ion of Grover Cleveland as president of the United States; and it challenges the most searching inquiry concerning its devotion to the pledges which then in vited the suffrages of the people.
 During the most critical period of our financial affairs, resulting from over tax ation, the anomalous condition of our currency and public debt unmatured, it has, by the adoption of wise and con- servative course, not only averted disas. ter, but greatly promoted the prosperity of our people. It has reversed the i'm provident and unwise policy of the re- publican party touching the public do- main, and has reclaimed from corpora. tions and syndicates, alien and domestic, and restored to the people nearly Ioo,- 900 ,ooo acres of valuable lands, to be sacredly held as homesteads for our citizens.
 While carefully guarding with great interest 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 be- fore during an equal period.
 It has adopted and consistently pur- sued firm and prudent foreign policy, preserving peace with all nations, while scrupulously maintaining all the rights aud interests of cur own government and the people at home and abroad.
 The exclusion from our shores of Chi nese laborers has been effectually se- cured under the provisions of treaty, the operation of which has been post poned by the action of the republican majority in the Senate.
 In every branch and department of the government under democratic control, the rights and welfare of all the people have been guarded and defended; every public interest has been protected. and the equality of 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 renewal of popular trust by the reelection of the Chief Magistrate, who has been faithful, able and pruden, l and it invokes in addition to that trust the transfer also, to the democracy, or the legislative power. The republican party, controlling the Senate, is resisting in both houses of Congress, the reforma tion of unjust and unequal tax laws, which have outlasted the necessities oi war, and are now undermining the abun. dance of a long peace, and deny to the people fairness and justice. which are their rights.
 Thus the cry of American labor for a better share in the reward of industry is still stifled with false pretense. En- terprise is fettered and bound down to home markets; capitalists are discour. aged with doubt, and the unequal and unjust laws can neither be properly amended or repealed. The Democratic party will continue, with all the power con6ded to it, the struggle to reform these laws in accordance with the pledges of its last platform, indorsed at the ballot box by the suffrages of the people. Oi all the industries freeman of our land the immense majority, including every tiller of the soil, gain no advantage from excess sive tax laws, but the price of nearly everything they buy is increased by the favoritism of an unequal system of tax | legislation !