The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-09-04
POINTS OF THE PLATFORM.

1t Makes No Reference to International
Agreement on the Money Question.
The platform adopted by the National
Democratic party is in substance as fol-
lows:
This convention has assembled to up
hold the principles upon which depend
the honor and welfare of the American
people, in order that Democrats through
out the Union may unite their patriotic
efforts to avert disaster from their coun-
try and ruin to their party.
The declarations of the Chicago conven-
ton attack individual freedom, the right
to contract, the independence of the judi
ciary, and the authority Of the president
TO enforce federal laws. They advocate a
reckless attempt to increase the price of
silver by legislation to the debascInent of
our monetary standard and threaten un-
limited issues of paper money by tAs gov
ernment. They abandon for Republican
allies the Democratic cause of tariff re-
form to court the favor Of protectionists
TO their fiscal heresy
In view of these and other grave depart
ures from Democratic principles we can
not support the candidates of that con-
vention nor be bound by its acts. The
Democratic party has survived many de-
feats, but could not survive victory won
in behalf of the doctrine and policy pro
claimed in its name at Chicago.
The conditions however, which make
possible such utterances from a national
convention are the direct result of class
legislation by the Republican party. 1t
still proclaims, as it has for years, the
power and duty Of government TO raise
and maintain prices by law, and 1t pro-
poses no remedy for existing evils except
oppression and unjIst taxation.
The National Democracy here convened
therefore renews its declaration of faith in
Democratic principles, especially as applt-
cable to the conditions of the times. Tax
ntion, tariff, excise, or direct, is rightfully
imposed only for public purposes and not
for private gain. Its amount Is justly
measured by public expenditures, which
should be limited by scrupulous economy.
The sum derived by the treasury from
tariff and excise levies is affected by the
state of trade and volrme of consumption
The demand of the Republican party for
an increase in tariff taxation has its pre-
text in the deficiency of revenue, which
has its causes in the stagnation of trade
and reduced consumption, due entirely to
the loss of confidence that has followed
the Populist threat of free coinage and de-
probation Of our money and the Repub-
lican practice of eXtrayagant appropria-
tious beyond the needs of good govern
ment
We adhere and insist upon the mainte-
nance of the gold standard and of the par
ity herewith of every dollar issued by the
government, and are firmly opposed to
the free and unlimited coinage of silver
and to the compulsory purchase Of silver
bullion. But we denounce also the fur
thor maintenance of the present costly
patchwork.
We assert the necessity of such intelh-
gent currency reform as will confne the
government to its legitimate functions,
completely separated from the banking
business, and afford to all sections of our
| country uniform safe and elastic bank
| currency under government supervision,
measured in volume by the needs of busi7'
! ness
The fidelity, patriotism and courage
with which President Cleveland has full
| filled his great public trust, the high char
actor of his administration, its wisdom
and energy in the maintenance of civil
order and the enforcement Of the laws, its
equal regard for the rights Of every class
and every section, its firm and dignitied
conduct Of foreign affairs and its sturdy
persistence in upholding the credit and
honor Of the nation are fully recognized
by the Democratic party and will secure
to him place in history beside the fathers
of the republic
We favor arbitration for the settlement
of international disputes and liberal
policy of pensions to deserving soldiers
and sailors of the United States.
The supreme court of the United States
was wisely established by the trainers OF
our constitution as one of the three co.
ordinate branches of the government, Its
independence and authority to interpret
the law of the land without fear or favor
, must be maintained. We condemn all
efforts to degrade that tribunal or impair
the confidence and respect which it has