The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-30
Principles Not Policies at Last.

HrlnC!pleS MOI POllcieS at Last.
Editor Morning NelOS: In reading the
party platforms Of the different states
where democratic conventions have been
held was forcibly struck with that of the
Indiana democratic convention. For the
first time In many years we are given somer
thing more than mere party platitudes,
ambiguous words and delphic sayings to
catch the unthinking, fool the shallow
thinker and deceive tho people in general. |
have attached but little Importance to party
platforms Of late years, and attached still
less Importance to the party horn-blower.
But the democratic platform of Indiana
means something yea, it means great deal.
1t means that the people, through party influ-
ence, have forgotten that we were living
under a constitution that meant something,
the rights, the liberties. aud the powers Of
the people. We have in that platform prin-
ciples pure and simple, not policies, which
should attract general attention.
During aud siuce the late war, when Sew.
ard said; II can tap this little bell and
have any man arrested and imprisoned
without a word of explanation" to the
dark, damnRble and unconstitutional acts
OF federal congress composed entirely of
northern and western men, who did not
hesitate to say, In the language OF Thaddeus
Stevens, ave are legislating outside of the
COusklLuklOut uOWA W Lue pIosoub muir.
when cor gresS assumes to treat the states as
mere corporations, we are running fast into
consolidated government, the pet idea Of
Hamilton, the Adamses and New England
so-called statesmen in particular. 1t is
about time to call halt to federal usurpa-
ton, authority and assumed power-force
bills not excepted.
The true inwardness Of federal usurpa.
ton 10 beginning to break in upon the
minds of the Indiana democracy. They
see danger ahead. they have sounded the
war cry: ITO your tents, o, free democ-
racy." Let us take heed. Hear what the
democracy of Indiana has to say, Jefferson
could not have done better, for they breathe
10 every line the teachings of jefferson:
I'VE, the democracy Of Indiana, reaff1rm
our devotion to the time honered principles
Of our historic party"
l. 1--WE believe that the powers delegated
by the people should be strictly construed"
Sound to begin with; no lattudinarian con-
struction there.
2. THAT the autonomy Of states and the
rights OF local self-governmenta and home rule
should be zealously guarded" Pure state
rights doctrine, pure Jeffersonian democ-
racy state sovereignty all over.
8. THAT no money should be taken from
the people under any pretext for other than
public purposes" No more bounties. PEN
sions, subsidies, etc. No favoritism TO the
money power of the country.
L. THAT the stricteSt economy should be
exercised IN all governmental expenditures,
whether local, state or national" Good
very good. No moro spoils Of office to re-
ward party workers.
5. "That legislation should be confined
to the legitimate objects of the govern
| ment" No usurpation of state rights
whatsoever to promote party power and
party ends. SIS
6. THAT public Office is a solemn public
trust No more such corrupting cry as:
ITO the victor belongs the spoils." No
more public thieves in office backed by ex-
ecutive influence aud authority.
z. "We are uncompromislngly opposed
to the enlargement and concentration Of
federal powers. To the usurpation by the
central government of Che functions of the
states.n Pure state rights. sound consti-
tutional principles and the true genius Of
| the government
s. ITO bountles and subsidies in every
form, to every species of class legislation
and government partisanship with private
/ enterprise" No more rewarding OF parti-
sans for their money influence, and protect
ing their interests by robbing the people to
support them.
9. ITO the whole theory and practice of
paterhalism." Away with the idea that the
government must support the people, when
|
| government.
10. 1--WE believe that in free country the
curtailment of the absolute rights of the
| individual should only be such as is essen
tial to the peace and good order OF the
country; and we regard all legislation look
| ing to the abridgement of liberty Of person
| or conscience not absolutely necessary 70
| the maintenance of the public order, as
vicious In principle and demoralizeing in
practice Sound to the core and in full &C.
cord with the letter and spirit of the federal
constitution.
Not particle of demagogism in the
above, Mr.. Editor. No attempt to fatter
the people for their votes, but declaration
of principles all important TO the rights Of
the states and the sovereignty OF the states,
with Individual liberty clearly defined.
Let the Georgia democracy indorso every
line of the above, for tariff reform, and
every other reform is embraced in the
above announced principles; for these
| principles SO announce are far above mere
| marty policies and buncombe resolutions.
with such a declaration Of principles; with
| bold. fearless and honest men TO address the
masses, democracy will mean more than the
empty, delphic. ambiguous assertion-''l
am democrat"
| Put Grover Cleveland on such platform
of principles and elect him, and the country
will be brought back to the pure days Of
Washington, jefferson, Madison and Mon
roe, who had no party ends to subserve,
with no friends to reward or enemies to
punish" h. M "
When you buy your spring medicine yor
sbonld GET the best. aud that is Hoods Sar.