The Daily Texarkanian., 1896-10-15
THE PLATFORM
Adopted by the National Democratic
Convention, at Chicago, July, 1895.

We, the Democrats of the United
States, in national convention assembled,
do reatfirm onr allegiance to those great
essential principles of justice and liberty
upon which our institutions are founded,
and which the Democratic party has ad-
vocated from JeferSon'S time to our own
freedom of speech freedom of press,
freedom of conscience, the preservation
Of personal rights, the equality of all citi-
zens before the law. and the faithful OBJ
servation of constitutional limitations.
During all these years the Democratic
party has resisted the tendencies of selfish
interests to the centrilzatiOn Of govern
mental power, and Steadfastly maintain
ed the integrity of the dual scheme Of
of government established by the found
ers of this republic of republics. Under
it's guidance and teachings the great prin-
ciple of local elf-government has found
its best expression in the maintenance of
the rights of the States and its assertion
of the necessity Of conlining the general
government to the exercise OF the powers
granted by the constitution Of the United
States.
Recognizing that the money question is
paramount TO all Others at this time, we
invite attention to the fact that the Fed
eral constitution names silver and gold
together as the money metals of the Unit
ed States, and that the first coinage law
passed by Congress under the constitution
made the silver dollar the unit OF value
and admitted gold to free coinage at a
ratio measured by the free silver dollar
unit.
We declare that the act Of 1873 demonc
ti2ing silver without the knowledge or
approval of the American people has re-
suited in the appreciation of gold and u
corresponding fall in the prices OF com
modities produced by the people; a heaVy
increase in the burden of taxation and Of
ali debts. public aud private; the enrich
ment of the m0ney-lcnding class AT
home and abroad; prostrati0n of industry
and lmpoVershment OF the people.
We are unalteraby opposed to mono
metallism, which has locked fast the
prosperity of an industrious people in the
paralysis of hard times Gold monomet-
allsm is a British policy, and It's adop-
tlon has brought other nations into Imam
clal sorytude to London. II Is not only
un- American, but anti American, and II
can he fastened on the United states only
by the sitting Of that indomitabe spirit
and love Of liberty which proclaimed our
political Independence In l7i6, and won II
In the war Of the revolution
coinage of both gold and silver at the
present legal ratio of 10 70 l., without
waiting for the consent or aid of any 9TH
or nation. We demand that the standard
silver dollar shall be u full legal tender,
equally with gold. for all debts, public
and private. and we tayor such leglsla-
tIon us will prevent lOr the future the de-
monetlzntion Of any kind Of legal tender
money by private contract,
We are opposed TO the policy and prac-
tce OF surrenderlng TO the holders OF the
obligations OF the United States the opln-
ion reserved 10y law 20 tho Government OF
redoemIng such obligations IN either Sll'
yer coin or gold com
We care opposed to the issuing Of inter
est. bearing bonds OF the United states IN
time of peace and condemn the tlaileing
withdrawing syndlcates whichin exchange
for bonds and AT an enormous profit TO
themselves, supply the Federal Treasury
with gold TO maintain the policy oG gold
monometalism,
Congress alone has The power 20 coin
and issue mOnpy, and President Jackson
declai I'D that this power could not bo del
eQatod 10 corporations or individual. We
therefore demand thut tho power 10 issue
notes 10 circulate as money Do taken Irom
the national banks aud that all paper
money shall be issued directly by The
Treasury Department. be rodocmUble M
coin and received for oil debts, publlcand
private
We hold that tariff duties should be ley-
fed for purposes Of revenue, such duties
10 be so adjusted NJ 10 operate equally
throughout the country and not dlscriml.
nate between class or section, ana That