The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-07-14

the Issue.
Following is the full text Of the
Democratic platform as adopted by
the National Convention at st. Louis.
THE PLATFORM.
1--WE, the delegates to the Democratic
party of the United States. in national
convention assembled, declare our de-
yotion to the essential principles OF
the Democratic faith which bring us
together in hearty communion.
"Under them local government
and national unity and prosperity were
alike established. They underlatd our
independence, the structure OF our free
republic and every Democratic exten-
sion from Louisiana to California and
faithfully in all the States the tie be-
tween taxation end representation.
They yet inspirit the masses OF our
people. guarding jealousy their rights
and liberties, and cherishing their fra
ternity, peace and orderly develop
ment. They remind us OF our duties
and responsibilities as citizens. and
impress upon us, particularly at this
time, the necessity Of reform and the
rescue Of the administration OF gov
ernment from the headstrong. arDi-
trary and spasmodic methods which
distract business by uncertainty and
pervade the public mind with dread,
distrust and perturbation.
"The application of these fundamen-
tai principles to the living issues of
the day constitutes the first step to
ward the assured peace, safety and
progress of our nation. Freedom OF
the press, of conscience and OF speech,
equality before the law Of all citizens,
the right Of trial by jury, freedom OF
the person defended by the writ OF
heabeas corpus, the supremacy OF civil
over military authority; well dis
ciplined militia; the separation OF
Church and State; economy In expen-
ditures; low taxes, that labor may be
lightly burdened; the prompt and
sacred fulfllment of public and pri-
yate obligations, including fidelity to
treaties; peace and friendship with all
nations, entangling alliances with
none; absolute acquiescence in the Will
of the majority, the vital principle OF
republics-these are doctrines which
Democracy has established as proverbs
of the nation, and they should be con-
stantly invoked, preached, resorted to
and enforced.
Il. Large reductions can readily be
made in the annual expenditures of the
government without impairing the ef-
q -. ~
service, and VIC shall insist upon the
strictest economy and frugality COM
patible with the various and efficient
civil, military and naval administration
as right Of the people too clear to be
denied or withheld.
INVESTIGATIONS PROMISED.
90 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 we'll as other de-
partments suspected of harboring cor
ruption, and the punishment Of ascer-
tanned corruption without fear or favor
or regard to persons. The persistent
and deliberate refusal of both the Sen
atc and House Of Representatives to
permit such investigation to be made
by either branch of Congress demon
states that only by change In the ex-
ecutive and in the House Of Repre-
sentatives can complete exposure,
punishment and correction be obtain
e6.
I'm broader furtherapce Of that end,
the Federal government should not
permit itself to be robbed by entering
into contracts with convicted trusts
or unlawful combinations in restraint
Of interstate trade, existing in viola.
ton of Law. We believe that one Of
the best methods Of procuring economy
and honesty in the public service is to
have public officials, from the occupant
OF the White House down TO the low
est Of them, return. as nearly as may
be, to Jeffersonian simplicity Of liv-
ing.
"3. We favor the nomination and
election Of President trained In the
ways Of the constitution. who shall
set his face sternly against executive
usurpation of legislative and judicial
functions. whether that usurpation be
ruled under the guise Of executive
construction of existing laws. or
whether it take refuge in the tyrant's
pleas Of necessity or superior wisdom.
TARIFF PERVERSIONS.
Il. The Democratic party has been,
and will continue to be, the consistent
opponent of that class Of tariff legis-
letion by which certain interests have
been permitted, through congressional
favor, to draw a heavy tribute from
the American people. The monstrous
perversion of those equal opportunities
which our political institutions were
established to secure, has caused what
may once have been infant industries
to become tie greatest combinations
of capital that the world has ever
Known.
These publicly favored enterprises
have, through trust methods, been
converted into monopolies, thus bring.
ing to an end domestic competition.
which was the only check upon the
extravagant profits made possible by
the protective system. These indus