Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-05-17
A Harmony Platform.

"~'"'iS pidNl""W as
outlined by Thomas Jefferson in the
year 1900:
l. An inviolable preservation of
the Federal Constitution, according
to the true sense in which it was
adopted by the States, that in which
1t was advocated by it's friends. and
not that which It's enemies appre-
hended, who, therefore, becomes its
enemies.
:. Opposition to monarchizing its
features by the forms of its admins
tratlon, with view to conciliate a
transition, first, to President and
Senate for life; and, secondly, to an
hereditary tenure of these offices. and
thus to worm out the elective princi.
pies.
3. Preservation to the States of the
powers not yielded by them to the
Union, and to the Legislature of the
Union Congress its constitutional
share in diversion of powers and re-
slstance, therefore, to existing move
ments for transferring all the DOW.
ers of the State to the General Gov
eminent, and all of those of that
government to the executive branch.
4. A vigorously frugal administra-
ton OF the government, and the ap-
pllcation of all the possible savings
of the public revenue to the liquida
ton of the public debt and resist
ance, therefore, to all measures look
ing to multiplication of officers
and salaries merely to create parti-
sans and to augment the public debt.
on the principle Of its being a public
blessing.
3. Reliance for internal defense
solely upon the militia, till actual in
vasion, and for such a naval force
only as may be sufficient to protect
our coasts and harbors from depre-
dations, and opposition, therefore. to
the policy of a standing army in
time of peace which may over-awe
the public sentiment; and to a navy.
which, by its own expenses, and the
wars into which it will implicate us,
will grind US with public burdens
and sink us under them.
g. Free commerce with all nations.
political connection with none, and
little or no diplomatic establish
ment.
z. Opposition to linking ourselves,
by new treaties, with the quarrels of
Europe, entering their fields of
slaughter to preserve their balance.
or joining in the confederacy of
kings to war against the principles
of liberty.
8. Freedom of religion, and oppo-
sltion to all manoeuvres to bring
about legal ascendancy of one sect
over another.
8. Freedom of speech and of the
press, and opposition, therefore. to
all violations of the Constitution. to
silence, by force, and not by reason.
the complaints or criticisms. Just or
unjust, of our citizens against the
conduct of their public agents.
10. Liberal naturalization laws.
under which the we'll disposed of all
nations who may desire to embark
their fortunes with us, and share
with US the public burdens, may have
that opportunity, under moderate re-
strlctions, for the development of
honest intention, and severe ones to
guard against the usurpation of our
flag.
II. Encouragement of science and
the arts IN all their branches, to the
end that the American people NAV
perfect their independence of all for
elgn monopoles, institutions and in
fluences.
An admirable platform, to be sure. |
but. not complete without Jefferson's
declarations as to the coinage of sill |
YER. In his "Notes on the Establish
ment of a Money Mint and of a
Coinage for the United States" he
says:
"The proportion between the val
nes OF gold and silver is mercantile
problem altogether. Just principles
will lead us to disregard legal pro-
portions altogether; to inquire into
he market price of gold, in the sew
raj countries with which we shall
principally be connected in COM