The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1896-07-09
PLATFORM ADOPTED BY THE
DEMOCRATIC STATE CON-
VENTIoN.
All Men of All Political Parties Invited
to Join in Fight to the FINISH
for Free Silver and Good
Government.

| Whereas, the Democratic party had
its birth in Mr.. Jefferson's great con-
test against the Capitalization OF the
powers of the Federal government, and
in behalf of the strict construction of
the Federal Constitution embodied in
the tenth amendment thereto, In which
all powers not delegated to it were ex-
pressly reserved TO the States, respect
lively, or to the people and whereas,
the Republican party has ever been
the party of Capitalization, resolved,
1. That we appeal to the people to
observe this fundamental difference be-
tween the Democratic party and its ira
ditional enemy in respect to the pow
ers of the central government.
2. That the Constitution of the
United States recognizes both gold and
silver as the primary or redemption
money of these States, and that, In the
words of the National Democratic plat
form of 1884, ave believe in honest
money, the gold. and silver coinage of
the Constitution, and circulating me-
dunn convertible into such money
without loss"
3. We favor, independently of other
nations, the free and unlimited coinage
of silver and gold, without dlscrimina-
ton against either, at the present legal
ratio of Is to ], and we condemn the
system which IN time of peace, with
millions of silver bullion lying idle in
the Treasury, has forced the govern
ment within the short period of two
years, to issue $685., 100000 OF bonds,
entailing this enormous debt upon the
people In order to maintain its credit
upon single standard and gold basis.
! 4. We condemn the action of the
Secretary of the Treasury In following
the Republican precedent of paying
the Obligations of the Government in
gold which we're specifically made pay
able in coin.
5. We hereby instruct our delegates
to the National convention, both rs to
platform and candidates, to advocate
and vote as a unit, unfilnchingly and
at all hazards, for the restoration of sill
yer, and otherwise in obedience to the
letter and spirit of the principles herein
enunciated.
We further instruct our delegates,
State and district, to use all their efforts
to abrogate the two-thirds rule, if nee
essary to secure the nomination of a
candidate in complete, In hearty, and
in known accord with the principles
herein enunc1ated by us.
6. We warn the people against the
threatened combined evils of the gold
standard and the Mckinley Tariff.
These twin monsters go hand in hand
in their mission of destruction, drawing
the very sustenance from the body OF
the people, and concentrating all wealth
and power in the hands of few.
Z. We denounce the Mckinley Tar
if and all other forms of protective tar
if Legislation, and favor the constitu-
tional tariff for revenue only.
s. We favor the repeal of the I'M
constitutional tax of ten per cent. on
State banks OF issue.
9. We declare ourselves In favor of
a graduated income tax in order that
wealth may bear its due proportion of
the burden of supporting the govern
ment, and we favor an immediate
amendment of the Constitution of the
United States authorizing It's levy and
collection in express terms, leaving
nothing for judicial construction
10. We are unalterably opposed to
legislation 10y which monopol1es and
trusts are created and fostered. We in
sist upon the faithful execution of the
existing laws against the same, and up
on such further legislation as may be
necessary for their suppression.
STATE AFFAIRS.
II. We point with pride to the
economic and stainless administration
of the State government whenever De
mocracy has been in power.
IL. We favor the enactment of such
an election law as will secure the purl-
ty of the ballot, and for the mainte-
nance and protection of the right of
suffrage to all the citizens of the State.
Ii. We favor the continuance of
the system of public education estab-
lished by the Democratic party, and
pledge ourselves to its increased eff
cheney as the condition of the people
and public revenues may justify.
IA. We favor the prompt, impartial
and just administration of fhe criminal
law of the State. and point with pride