New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-04
PRICE THREE CENTS.
THE PLATFORM ADOPTED.
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES BY THE
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

NOCNCED AS
STANDARD MUST BE MAINTAINED
TARIFF FOR REVENUE ONLY
MR. cLEvELANDs ADMINS
TR,rroN PRAISED.
indianapolis. Sept 3.-The following Is me fuh
teNt Of the platform adopted by the ConVeh''o"
Of the National Democratic party:
This Convention has assembled 10 uphold me
principles upon which depend the honor ana Wet-
fare OF the American people in order that I,e'I'"
Gratis throughout the Union may unite thelr pa
triotic efforts to avert disaster from theit cou"
try and ruin from their party.
The Democratic party is pledged TO equai ano
exact justice to all men OF every creed ana con- con,
diton: To the largest freedom OF the lndlviduai
consistent with good government: to the preser-
vation of the Federal Government in IT'S Consul
tutiona vigor, and to the support or me states
in all trer just rights: to economy in the puDnc
expenditures; to the maintenance OF the puDnc
faith and sound money: and II is opposed TO pa
ternalsm and all class legislation
THE CHICAGO PLATFORM DENOUNCED.
The declarations of the Chicago Convention at
tack individual freedom. the right Of private con-
tract. the independ ence Of the judiciary and the
authority of the President to enforce Federal
laws. They advocate a reckless attempt to in
crease the price of silver by legislation. to the
debasement Of our monetary standard, and
threaten unlimited issues Of paper money by the
Government. They abandon for Republican al
lies the Democratic cause Of tariff reform. to
court the favor Of protectionists 10 their fiscal
heresy.
In view of these and other grave departures
from Democratic principles, we cannot support
the candidates Of I'll t Convention nor be bound
by its acts. The Democratic party has survived
defeats but could not survive a victory won in
behalf Of the doctrine and policy proclaimed in
its name at Chicago.
The condition. however which made possible
such utterances from National Convention are
the direct result Of class legislation by the Re-
1fa, t. ,1rt,., g.. Ton
years the power and duty Of Government to
raise and maintain prices by law. and it proposes
no remedy for existing evils except oppressive
and unjust taxation
TAXATION AND EXPENDITURES.
The National Democracy here convened there
fore, renews its declarations of faith in Demo-
cratic principles especially as applicable to the
conditions of the times. Taxation tariff excise
or direct, is rightfuy imposed only for public
purposes. and not for private gain It's amount
Is justly measured by public expenditures which
should be limited by scrupulous economy. The
sum derived by the Treasury from tariff and
excise leves is affected by the state of trade and
volume OF consumption. The amount required
by the Treasury is determined by the apprc pria-
tons made by Congress The demand of the
Repuhlican party for an increase in tariff taxa
tior has its pretext in the deficiency OF tho
revenue. which has its causes in the stagnation
OF trade and reduced consumption. due entirely
to the loss of confidence that has followed the
Popuist threat OF free coinage and depreciation
Of our money. and the Republican practice Of ex-
lravagant appropriations beyond the needs Of
good government. We arraign and condemn
the Populistc conventions Of Chicago and Sc
Louis for their cooperation with the Republican
party in creating these conditions which are
pie in justification of a heavy increase Of
the burdens OF the people ty a further resort to
protection.
TARIFF FOR REVENUE ONLY.
We therefore denounce protection and it's ally.
free coinage of silver as schenes for the person.
al profit OF a few at the expense Of the rnasses
and oppose the two parties which stand for thesa
schemes as hostile TO the people Of the Republlc.
whose food and shelter comfort and prosperity
are attacked by higher taxes and Deprecated
money. In fine. we reairm the historic Demo.
cratic doctrine Of tariff for revenue onlv
We demand that henceforth modern and liber-
al policies toward American shipping shall take
the place Of our imitation OF the restricted stat
utes or the eighteenth century, which have been
abandoned by every maritime Power but the
United States, and which. to the Nations hunili.
alton. have driven American capital and enter
prise to the use Of alien flags and allen crews
have made the Stars and Stripes an almost un-
known emblem In foreign ports, and have virtu-
ally extinguished the race Of American searnen
We oppose the pretence that discriminating du.
ties will promote shipping; that scheme is an in
vitaton TO commercial warfare upon the United
States. un-American in the light Of our treat
commercial treaties offering no gain whatever
10 American shipping. while greatly increasing
ocean freghts agricultural and manu-
featured products.
GOLD THE MONEY OF COMMERCE
The experience of mankind has shown that by
reason Of their natural qualities. gold is the
necessary money OF the large affairs Of com.
merce and business. while silver is conveniently
adapted to minor transactions and the mos,
beneficial use Of both together can be insured on
IL by the adoption OF the former as a standard o.
monetary measure. and the maintenance Of sill
at parity with gold by its limited coinage
under suitable safeguards Of law Thus the
largest possible enjoyment Of both metals is
gained with value universally accepted
throughout the world. which constitutes the only
practical bimetallic currency assuring he most
stable standard. and especially the best and
safest money FOR all who earn their livelihood by
labor or the produce Of husbandry. They cam
not suffer when paid in the best money known
to man. but are the peculiar and most defence
lesS victims of debased and fuctuating cur
rency. which offers continual profits 10 the
money changer at their cost.
Realizing these truths demonstrated by long
and public inconvenience and loss, the Demo-
cratic party. in the interests of the masses and
Of equal Justice TO ALL practically established by
the legislation OF 1884 and 1888 the gold stand
ard Of monetary measurement. and likewise on.
trely divorced the Government from banking
and currency issues. To this long established
Democratic policy We adhere. and insist upon
the maintenance Of the gold standard. and or the
parity herewith OF every dollar issued bv the
Government. and are firmly opposed 10 tho fres
and unlimited coinage OF silver and TO the com.
pulsory purchase Of silver bullion But we de.
nounce also the further maintenance Of the pres
ent costly patchwork system of National paper
currency constant source OF injury and
peril.
CURRENCY REFORM
We assert the necessity OF such intelligent
currency reform will confre the Government
to its legitimate functicrs completely separated
from the banking business. and afford 10 all
sections OF country uniform. safe and
elastic bank currency under Governmental
supervision. measured in volume by the needs
OF business.
The fidelity. patriotism and courage with
which President Cleveland has fulfilled his great
! nnblic trust. the high character of his Adminis-