The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1904-07-14
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
Declaration Of Principles Adopted BY
St. Louis Convention.

DuC'dTdtioH VI TiIiCipiCh NuOPtCQ ny
St. Louis Convention.
st. Louis, July 8.-Following Is tho
complete draft of the platform as
finally agreed on by the committee on
resolutions and adopted by the ma
tional Democratic conventions:
The Democratic party of the United
declares It's devotion to the essential prir-
ciples OF the Democratic faith. which
brings 1t together In party communion.
Under them local self government and
national unity and prosperity were alike
established. They underlaid our inde-
pendence, the structure of our free re-
public. and every Democratic extension
from Louisiana to California. and Texas
to Oregon, which preserved faithfully In
all the states the tie between taxation
and representation. They yet inspire the
masses OF our people. guarding 1ealously
their rights and liberties and cherishing
their fraternity, peace and orderly devel-
opment. They remind US of our duties
and responsibilities as citizens, and i'm
press upon US, particularly at this time,
the necessity of reform and the rescue
Of the administration Of government from
the headstrong, arbitrary and spasmodic
methods which distract business by un-
certainty, and pervade the public mind
with dread, distrust and perturbation.
Fundamental Principles.
The application of these fundamental
principles to the living Issues of the day
is the first step toward the assured peace,
safety and progress of our nation. Free
dom of the press. of conscience and OF
speech-equality before the law of all
citizens; right Of trial by jury--freedom
of the person defended by the writ OF
habeas corpus: liberty of personal con-
tract untrammeled by sumptuary laws:
supremacy of the civil over military au-
thority; a well disciplined militia; the
separation OF church and state; economy
in expenditures; low taxes that labor may
be lightly burdened; prompt and sacred
fulfillment OF public and private obliga-
tions; fidelity to treaties; peace and
friendship with all nations; entangling
alliances with none; absolute acqui-
escence in the will OF the majority, the
vital principle of republcs-these are
lished and approved by the nation-they
should be constantly invoked and en-
forced.
Capital and Labor.
We favor the enactment and adminis-
tration of laws, giving labor and capital
impartially their just rights. Capital and
labor ought not to be enemies Each is
necessary to the other Each has its
rights, but the rights OF labor are GER
tainly no less vested" no less sacred
and no less "unalienabe" than the rights
OF capital.
Constitutional Guarantees.
Constitutional guarantees are violated
whenever any citizen Is denied the right
to labor. acquire and enjoy property or
reside where interest or inclination may
determine Any denial thereof by indi-
viduals. organizations or governments
should be summarily rebuked and pun
ished.
We deny the right OF any executive to
disregard or suspend any constitutional
privilege or limitation. Obedience to the
laws and respect for their requirements
are alike the supreme duty OF the citizen
and the official. The military should be
used only to support and maintain the
law. We unqualifedly condemn Its en-
ployment f.: the summary Punishment OF
citizens without trial or for the control
OF elections.
We approve the measure which passed
the United States senate in 1896, but
which a Republican congress has ever
since refused to enact, relating to con-
tempts In federal courts and providing
for trial by jury in cases OF indirect con-
tempt.
Waterways.
We ioNoi lot
the care and improvement OF the water
ways of the country. When any water
way like the Mississippi river is OF suf-
hcient Importance to demand special aid
of the government such aid should be
extended with definite plan OF con-
tinuous work until permanent improve
ment Is secured. We oppose the Repub-
lican policy OF starving home develop
rnent in order to feed the greed for con-
quest and the appetite for national
prestige" and display OF strength.
Economy Of Administration.
Large reductions can easily be made
In the annual expenditures OF the gov
srnment without impairing the efficiency
OF any branch of the public service, and
we shall insist upon the strictest econ
omy and frugality compatible with Wig
orous and efficient civil, military and
naval administration as a right OF the
people, too clear to be denied or withheld.
We favor honesty The enforcement Of
honesty In the public service, and to that
end thorough legislative investigation
OF those executive departments OF the
government already known TO TEEN with
corruption, as well as other departments
suspected OF harboring corruption, and
the punishment OF ascertained 'corrup-
tionists without fear or favor or regard
to persons, The persistent and dellber-
ate refusal OF bosh the senate and the