Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-06-05
DEMooRAcYs FIRST PLATFORM

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OEMocRAcYs FIRST PLATFORM
Thomas Jefferson, the father Of
American Democracy, was elected
President in 1900. The following is
the platform Of the party that support
ed him for the office against John Ad-
ans, who was candidate for sec
ond term, and who was the candidate
OF what was then called the Federal
list party, OF Hamiltonians, and that
held to the doctrines now embodied in
the Republican creed. This Democrat
ic Jeffersonian platform was adopted at
Philadelphia and promulgated by
the fathers and founders Of the coun-
try and Of the great Democratic party
that to-day stands as 1t did then for
equal rights for all and special priyi-
leges for none. This platform would
do to embody in Democratic platform
of to-day, SO sound are its declarations.
It Is well to refresh ones faith at the
fountainhead once in q while. The
platform is as follows:
II. An inviolable preservation Of the
Federsx Constitution, according to the
true sense in which 1t was adopted by
the States, that in which that advocat-
ed by its friends, and not that which
Its enemies apprehended, who, there
fore. become its enemies.
70. Opposition to monarchizing It's
features by the forms of Its admins
tration, with view to conciliate a
transition, first to a President and
Senate for life; and, secondly, to nm
hereditary tenure of those Offices, and
thus to worm out the elective princi-
pie.
80. Preservation to the States of
the powers not yielded by them to the
Union, and to the Legislature of the
Union Its constitutional share in the
division of powers; and resistance,
therefore, to existing movements for
transferring all the powers Of the State
to the general government, and all Of
those of that government to the execu-
tive branch.
-. A vigorously frugal administra-
ton of the government and the appli-
cation of all the possible savings of
the public revenue to the liquidation of
public debts; and resistance, therefore,
to all measures looking to multiple
cation of officers and salaries, merely
IN oroo <<> mn rf; some opd IN ounn,op< {bo
public debt, on the principle of its be-
ing public blessing.
50. Reliance for internal defense
solely upon the militia, until actual In
vasion, and for such a naval force only
as may be sufficient to protect our
coasts and harbors from depreciation;
and opposition, therefore, to the policy
Of a standing army in the time of
peace, which may oyerawe the public
sentiment, and to navy, which by Its
expenses and tile wars into which II
will implicate us, will grind us with
public burdens and sink us under them.
&c. Free commerce with all nations,
political connection with none, and lit
tile or no diplomatic establishment.
20. Opposition to linking ourselves
by new treaties with the quarrels of
Europe, entering their fields Of slnugh-
ter to preserve their balance, or join
ing in the confederacy of kings TO war
against the principles Of liberty.
"8. Freedom of religion and opposi-
ton to all maneuvers to bring about q
legal ascendency OF one sect over an
other.
20. Freedom of speech and Of the
press, and opposition, therefore, to all
violations Of the Constitution, to ST.
lence, by force and not by reason, the
complaints or criticisms, just or unjust
Of any citizens against the conduct of
their public agents.
40. Liberal naturalization laws, un-
der which well disposed of all nations
who may desire to embark their for
tunes with us and share with us the
public burdens, may have the opportn.
nifty under moderate restrictions, for
.he development of honest intention,
and severe ones to guard against the
usurpation Of our flag.
I'll. Encouragement of science and
the arts in all their branches, to the
end that the American people may per.
feet their independence of foreign mo.
nopolies, institutions and influences"
Illinois State Register.
A Republican Rupture Sure.
The virtual deposition Of Chairman
Joseph w. Babcock from the chairman.
ship of the Republican Congressional
Committee-for his announcement that
he will not serve in that capacity be.
yond his present term amounts to that
lis a sign Of serious rupture in the
Republican party on the tariff question
Other questions of party policy, man.
agement and leadership may be quite
as seriously involved.