Year: 1872

Democratic Convention.


The following sensible and conserva-
tive resolutions were adopted by the
late Democratic Territorial Convention !:


Resolved LIST, That the following de-
claration of principles under which the
Cincinnati Convention was, convened.
meet with the hearty approval and en-
dorssmant of the Democracy of Wash
ington Territory. viz:


1. The only legitimate purpose of
tariff is to provide necessary revenue. .


2. The support of the Constitution as
amended. and the protection of the right
of every citizen under it.,


8. Universal amnesty, and the restor-
alton of fraternal feelings and relations
among people of the different States.


4. A steady return to gold and silver
as the sound and safe basis of our cur
renoy.
5. Opposition to the present caucus
system in Legislative bodies as corrupt
ing. dangerous and at variance with the
spirit of our institutions.


6. The inviolate maintenance of the
public faith.


z. The abolition Of the demoralizing
'spoil system" by thorough reform
of the civil service.


s. Opposition to all secret political
societies, and the violence and lawless-
ness, whenever or by whomever COM
mitted.
8. And that as our country progresses,
the general Government should more
and more, within the limits of the Con-
stitution, be confined to that which is
general and common to the whole peo-
ple and to each State should belong
the care and supervision of all that is
fully reserved to it.


RESOLVED 2. That as our Delegate to
Congress has no vote in Congress, his
entire time and energy at the National
Capitol should be devoted to represent
ing our Territorial wants and further
ing our interests.


Resolued 8. That among our citizens
we have those fully competent to fill the
different official positions of the Terri
tory, and that We are in favor of having
our organic act SO amended as to make
our Governor, Secretary, Judges, and
all the Territorial officials, elected by
the people.


| Resolved 4. That the interests of the
Territory demand that the several In
dian reservations within it be curtailed,
suitable to the wants of the aborigines
and throw open to white settlement.


Resolued 5. That this Convention, for
the Democracy of Washington Territory,
and all those who may choose to afil-
late with us, hereby avow our devotion
to the Union of our fathers and the
principles of those time-honored sages
of the Revolution, who laid broad and
deep the foundation of our republican
form of government on this continet.


Judge MeFadden, on being advised
by a committee of his unanimous NOM
ination for Delegate to Congress. ap-
peared before the Convention and made
the following remarks:


Members of the Territorial Demo
cratic Convention and Fellow-eitiZens !:
1t is with considerable embarrassment
that appear before you to tender my
sincere thanks for the unsolicited honor
you have conferred upon me by select
ing me as your standard-bearer in the
present contest. Had my wishes been
considered, these duties would have de-
volved upon another. I have reached the
philosophic period of life when have no
ambition to figure in politics. Onerous
private and professional duties almost
render it improper for me to accede to
the unanimous wish Of this Convention.
but on full consultation with my friends
and the members of the Convention, 1
have concluded to accept the honor
which you, in your kindness and par
tiality. have conferred upon me. 1
might say that one of the reasons l am
so unwilling to engage in a political
campaign is in consequence of the de-
moralization which has corrupted party
politics to such an extent as to almost
deter honest men from having anything
to do with it. One of the great objects
we should keep in view in the present
contest is to effect the publication of
the ballot-box. The sancity of the bal
lot and the purifcation of party politics
from bribery and corruption are para
mount to all party questions, and fur
nish ground upon which all good men
can stand. I have no money, but if !
had would scorn to use it to subsidize
and corrupt public sentiment. A free,
untrammeled expression of the popular
will is what is wanted. Dictation and
corruption on the part of the Govern
ment officers must be checked, and they
be taught that from the highest to the
lowest they are but the servants OF the