The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-09-11
THE PLATFORM.
AS ADOPTED BY THE GOLD
STANDARD DEMOCRATS.
Eavors Tariff for Revenue Only, Cur
rcncy Reform and Economy I'm
Public Expenditures.

Democrats, adopted in convention at
Indianapolis, Ind. Wednesday of last
week:
This convention assembled &c uphold the
principles upon which depend tho honor and
welfare OF the American people In order that
the Democrats throughout the Union may
unite their patriotic efforts to avert disaster
from their country and ruin from their
party.
The Democratic pnrty Is pledged to equal
and exact justice to all meu of every creed
and condition; to tho largest freedom OF the
individual contestant with good governments
to the preservation Of tho federal govern
ment in its constitutional vgor and to the
support OF the States In all their just rights
to economy in the public expenditures; to
the maintenance OF the public faith and
sound money. and it is opposed to paternal-
ism and all class legislation.
The declaration OF the Chicago convention
attack individual freedom, the right OF
private contract, the independence of the
Judiciary and the authority of the President
to enforce federal laws. They advocate a
reckless attempt to increase the price OF sill.
yer by Legislation to tho debasement OF our
monetary standard and threaten unlimited
Issues OF paper money by tho government.
They abandon for Republican allies the
Democratic cause OF tariff reform to court
the favor of protcctionists t their fiscal
hercsy. ~ view Of These and tncr grave de-
parturCs from Democratic principles, wa
cannCt support the candidates OF that con
: venton nor bc bound by its acts The Dom
4~cranc party has survived many defeats but
could not Surviv" Il victory Won, in behalf OF
the doctrine and policy proclaimed in its
name ut Chicago.
The conditions however which mako pos
siblc such u,trrances from n national con!
vcntion are the direct result of n class lngiSla-!
ton by tho Republican party. 1t still pro-
claims, as it has for ton years. tho power and
duty ~ the EOvcrnmcntto to raise and maintain
prices 10y law. and it proposes no remedy for
nS mad
taxation.
Tho National Democracy here rcconvcncd.
therefore, rcncwS its declaration of faith in
Democratic principles. especially a& applica-
bic to the conditions of the times. Taxation
tariff excise or direct, j. rirhtfully imposed
only FOR pubic purposes, and not for private
gam. Ii amounts IS Justly measured by pub
lie expenditures, which should he limited by
scrupulouS economy. Tho sum derived bv
the treasury from tariff and excise levirS j.,
affected 10y III" state OF trad" and volum" oi,
consumption. Tho amount required Ivy th"
treasury is dcteelnncd by the appropriation $;
made by congress. The drmand of the Re-.
publican party for an Increase in tariff. taxa.
ton and its prctcyt in tho deficiency OF rove
nues. which has its causes In the sta,;uation
ottradc and reduced consumption. duo on
tircly to the loss of cOniid"nrc tha. has fol!
lowed tho Populst threat OF free coinage
and depreciation Of our money and the Re
publican practice of cxtravacant apprOrra-'
lions beyond the needs in good government
We arraign and condemn the pOpulistic con-
ventionS OF Chicago and st. Louis for their
cooperation with the Republican party in
creating these conditions which arc pleaded
In Justification of heavy increase OF the
burdens OF the people by n further resort to
protection. Wo therefore denounce protec-
ton and its ally, FREQ coinage Of silver as
schemes for tho personal profit OF a few at
tho expense Of the masses and is the two
parts which stand for these schemes as hos
tile to the people OF the republic. whose food
and shelter, comfort and prosperity nre at
tucked by higher taxes and deprecated
money. In fine we affirm the historic Dem.
ocrati3 doctrine OF tariff for revenue only.
We demand that hcnceforth modern and
liberal policies towards Amorican shipping
shall take tho place OF our imitation of the
have been abandoned by every II aritime
power but the United States. and which to
the nations humiliation have driven Amori-
can capital and enterprise to tho uSo OF alien
flags and alien crews. hnvo madc the Stars
and stripes an almost unknown emblem in
foreign ports and have virtually CXtinguishcd
tho race of American scamen. We oppose
tho prctense that discriminating; duties will
promote ship; ing; that scheme is an invita-
ton to commercial warfare upon tho United
States. un-Amerlcan in tho light of our com
mcrcial treaties, Offering no gain whatever
TO American shipping. while greatly incrcas-
ing ocean frr,,htS Oh our agricultural and
manufactured products. Tho experience Of
mankind has shown that by reason of their
natural qualities, Eod is til" necessary iaon-
cy OF III" larg" affairs OF rommcrc" :iaG busi
ness, while silver IL conveniently adautrd To
minor transactions and the most hrnriicia!
us" of both together can he secured only bv
tho adoption OF III" former rs u standard
oi monetary measure and tn" mnint"-
nance OF silver on parity with gold hv il,
limited coinage under suitable Sairrua rdS ot
law. ihHS Ia" largest enjoyment OF both
mci!l" i "nin",! win :, vnlu" universally ar-
crl'tci throughout til" world, which conSii-
tut"s til" "uIy rrnct'ra! him"tallir currency
AN ii.
best and safest money for all who earn thrir
livelihood 10y labor or th" nrud@ct oi hu.-
bandry. They canuU, suffer when puid in
the bc"; money known - man. hut ar" III"
peculiar hnu almost dufo..SrlrS.S victims OF !;
reduced and Enctuatin;; currency which o.
ferS continued profits t. tn" money changer
at their cost. Realizing th"so truths demon
str"t"d 10y long public Inconvenience and
loss. tn" Democratic PARTY in the interest ui
Inc in;SS'S auI OF equal Justice 10 al. pra'-
,i@alIy established 10y tho legislation Of 1851
aui 1888. til" gold standard of monetary
measurement. and lik"wiS" entirely divorced
the government from l'anking AMI currency
issues. To this long established Democratic
pOllcy We adhere nn,. insist upon the maint'-
nance al the gold s,A,IHTl and OF the parity
herewith OF rve:y dollar issued nv the
government and are nrmlv opposed to lii"
FREQ aud NHiimite1 coinage of silver and to
the compulsory I.archase OF silver bullion.
But W" dcnoEICr HlaO tho further main
tennnco oi TN" present tho costly pat"h.
work system &: rational paper currcncy
ms constant acu!r" "i injury and peril.
We assert tn" necessity OI SuCh Intelligent
currency reform ~ Will mine tho govern
mcnt to it, lrE.t:mat" functions completely
sepnratiLt: !rGmI -" bankin;, business and t.
all section" "' our rOnntry ~ uniform. cafe
ana lasting i3uk currency under ,,ovCrp.
HI"::aI Supervision. iArLsurrd IN vuIu,nc iv
III" needs ui Its In's". Thr i.irl:tv patriot.
lsr amt r"G":'g" with wiIrI prcsn;,nt CIrv..
iHnh ht- i"'."!ri "a Ir"at puir t:rI-i. IN"