Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-08-05
Democratic Platform.

The representatives of the Democratic
party of Maryland. in State Convention
assembled. declare that, after an exper-
fence of four years of Republican as
tendency, we should make united
effort 10 recover political control of the
State, so as to insure to the people the
fullest protection of life, liberty and
property. The result of the municipal
election in Baltimore city demonstrates
that this can be accomplished by the
harmonious cooperation Of all elements
of the party, without regard to past
differences, and we invite all such to
aid US i'll the political redemption of our
State and the restoration of control to
the Democratic party.
We declare our unfaltering allegiance
10 the fundamental principles of the
party a. formulated by Thomas Jeffer-
son, and we believe that the practical
and constant application of those prin-
ciples to Federal and State government
Is essential to the perpetuation of our
| free institutions.
We insist that in time of war as well
as of peace the freedom of the press
shall be preserved, and that the right of
the people Ia criticise freely the policy
and conduct of the administration shall
be defended at all hazards.
No deadlier blow can be dealt to
American liberty than the suppression.
by an abuse of executive power. of the
free utterance by American freeman of
their sentiments upon matters of public
concern affecting the welfare of the
people. and we dcnounce as dangerous
and indefensible all efforts to interfere
with and abridgc this sacred right.
We declare our unaltcrablc opposition
to the creation and maintenance of a
large standing army in time of peace.
and we insist upon the supremacy of
the civil over the military authority. and
we demand the strictest economy in
public revenues.
We believe i'll the time honored doe
trine, so earnestly impressed upon us
| by the Fathers of the Republic, of
Peace, Commerce and Honest Friend.
ship with all nations-e ntangling ALI.
ances with none.
We view with alarm the multiple
cation over the land of such gigantic.
industrial and commercial trusts. the
outgrowth of Republican legislation. a.
>tifie competition, threaten popular
government, increase I he cost of living
and curtail the individual rights Of the
people. and we favor vigorous measures
by the States and 10y Congress to repress
this great and growing evil.
We favor non-partisan adminiStra-
ton of the Police Department of Bal
/ timore, and of such thorough and
careful revision of the laws in relation
thereto a. will emancipatc the force
from partisan control or intimidation.
inequalities in assessment and taxa
ton should be corrected so that the
public expense may be borne by the rich
and poor alike. Strict scrutiny should
be made as to all proper sources of
public revenue. so that State and local
taxation may be- reduced 10 the lowest
practicable rate.
Special attention should be- given TO
the conditions and conduct of our public
schools, the taxes levied for their main
tenance should be- faithfully collected.
fairly apportioncd and honestly applied.
and we insist upon IA non partisan adj
ministation of the public schools sys-
tenn of the State
The laboring CLASSES constitute the
main part of our population They
should be- protected IN all orderly efforts
To assert their rights, when endangered
from any source. and all laws ON this
subject should be framed with view
TO improve their condition.
We believe that the restoration of the
Democracy to power in Maryland is now
imperativcly demanded by a just regard
for the best interests of the State.
The Republican party depends almost
entirely for its success upon the support
of the large negro population in our
midst. and relies upon them for the
election of its tickets and the contin-
nance OF its supremacy. Without their
votes IL would De a hopeless minority
This fact has created the belief 10y
large numbers of the worst elements If
this class Of our population that pohti-
cal influence will readily be oXertcd to
secure for them immunity from punish
ment for violations of law. has accord
ingly led Ia an alarming increase IN
many species of crime and is q constant