The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1896-08-26

are the Toes OF social Order ana natlOnal
honor Those who stand upon the Chica-
go platform are prepared to make known
and to defend every motion which infiu-
ences them, every purpose which animates
them and every hope which inspires them.
They understand the genius of our insti-
stutions, they are staunch supporters of
the form of government under which we
live and do build their faith upon founda-
lions laid by the fathers. Andrew Jackson
has stated with admirable clearness and an
emphasis which cannot be SURPASSED. both
Tile uuty anu Che sphere OF government.
He said:
distinctions in society will always ex-
ist under every just government. Equal
ity of talents, education or of wealth can
not be produced by human institutions
In the full enjoyment Of the gifts Of heaven
and the fruits Of superior industry, ecoro-
my and virtue every man is equally en-
titled to protection by law"
We yield to none in our devotion to the
doctrine just enunciated. Our campaign
has not for its object the reconstruction of
society We cannot insure to the vicious
the fruits Of a virtuous life; we would not
invade the home Of the provident in order
to supply the wants Of the spendthrift;
we do not propose to transfer the rewards
of industry to the lap Of tndolence Prop
erty Is, and will remain, the stimulus to
endeavor and the compensation for toll.
We believe as asserted in the declaration
Of independence, that all men are created
equal that does not mean that all
men are, or can have equal possessions in
positions or merit; it means that all shall
stand equal before the law, and that gov
eminent officials shall not, in making, con-
STRUNG or enforcing the law, discriminate
between citizens.
assert that property rights, as we'll as
the rights Of persons, are safe in the hands
of the common people. Abraham Lincoln,
in his message sent to congress in Decem-
Der, 1861, said:
mo men living are more worthy to be
trusted than those who toll up from pow
erty: none less inclined to take or touch
aught which they have not honestly
earned"
| / repeat his language with unqualified
approval and join with him in the warning,
he added: LET them beware of surrender
ing political power which they already
pos sess and which power, if surrendered,
WlliSuTcly De useu w CAuSc Uue uoOES I'll d&l-
vancement against such as they and to fix
new disabilities and burdens upon them
until all of liberty shall be lost"
Those who daily follow the injunction,
"In the sweat Of thy face shalt thou eat
bread" are now as they ever have been the
bulwark of law and order-the source of
our nations greatness in time of peace and
its surest defenders in time Of war. But l
have only read part of Jackson's utter
nnces-let me give you his conclusion:
But when the laws undertake to add to
those natural and just advantages artifi-
rial distinctions-to grant titles, gratuities
and exclusive privileges-to make the rich
richer and the potent more powerful-the
humble members of society, the farmers,
mechanics and the daylaborers-who have
neither the time nor the means of securing
like favors for themselves, have right to
complain Of the injustice of their govern
ment." Those who support the Chicago
platform indorse all Of the quotation from
jacksonville latter part as well as the
former part.
We are not surprised to find arrayed
against us those who are the benefciaries
of government favor1tism-they have read
our platform. Nor are we surprised to