Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1897-08-18
POLITICAL PLATFORMS.
The First One Was BuIlt by the Dems
 cratic Party In 1882.

cratic Party In 1882.
 No political party held national convention prior to 1881 or adopted 8 platform of principles prior to 1882. Before these dates nomina- tions were made by congressional caucuses and by the several legisla- lures.
 The anti-Masonic party was the first to hold a national convention. This WAS convened in Baltimore Sept. 26, 1S3L It named William Wirt for president but adopted no platform. This example was follow ed by the Whigs, who met in De- eember of the same year and put Henry Clay in > nomination, but framed no declaration of principles. It was not until the Democratic party met in convention, also in Baltimore, March 22, 1892, that the modern custom of stating the issues of the campaign was inaugurated. In those days politicians were brief. Here is the first national platform: Resolved. That an adequate protection to Amarican industry is indispensable to the pros psrity of the country, and thGt an abandon nlant of the policy at this perfod would be attended with consequences ruinous 10 the bsst interests of the nation.
 Resolved. That q uniform system of internal tmprovoments sustained and supported by the general government k calculated 10 secure, in tlse highest degree, the harmony. the strength and pernAneiIcy of the republic.
 Resolved That the indiscriminste removal of public offccrs for the mere difference of DO utica1l opinion Is a gross abuse of power, and tlat the doctrine lately boldly preached in the United States senate that 10 the victOrs be long the sl,Oils of the vanquishcd Is detri mental to the interests, corrupting to the morals and dangerous to the liberties of the country
 Here is the first platform of the historic opponents of the Democrat ic party. The Wings adopted it in 1896, when they named Harrison and Granger:
 Resolved, That in support of our cause VI tnviIe all citizens opposed tn Martin Van Blu zen and the Baltimore nominees.
 Resolved, That Martin Van Buren, by in triguing with the executive 10 obtain his tn huence 10 elect him to the presidency, has -0' An example dangerous to our freedom and cor rupting tO our free institutions
 Resolved, That the support we render tS William H. Harrison Is by no means given tC him solely osn account of his brilliant and SIC csssful services as leader of our armies during the last war, but that in him we view also th' man of high intellect, the stern patriot, un contaminated by the machinery Of hAckneyeC politicinns-a man of the school Of Washington Resolved. That in Francis Granger we recog uize one of our most distinguished fellow citi Ecns whose talents admire and who's principles we sanction
 It will be noticed that the forego ing platform has more to say about the personalities of candidates than about issues or principles.
 The Whig platform of 1S44 em bodied this concise declaration which has not been exceeded il those qualities that go to make thu model controversial document:
 Resolved, That these principles may be sum med up as comprising a well regulated ma tiOnAl currency; a tariff for revenue to defra. the necessary expenses of the government, am discriminating with special reference to tn protection of the domestic labor of the coun try, the distribution of the proceeds from tn sale of public lands. a single term for the pres tdency, a refGTm of executive usurpation am generally such an administration of the affair of the country as shall impart to every brGncl of the public service the greatest practice efficiency. controlled by a well regulated am w!se economy.
 New York Mail and Express.