Year: 1876

On Wednesday, yesterday, the Demo


mocracy of Pennsylvania met in conven


ton at Lancaster. R. E. Monaghan wal
chosen permanent Chairman. State anC
Senatorial delegates were chosen to the
National Convention to be held at St


Louis June 9th, and Presidential elect
ors selected.


A platform of principles was adopted


which every Democrat can subscribe to
The Convention was entirely harmonious


THE PLATFORM.


The following platform was adopted


The Democracy of Pennsylvania re-
cords its devotion to all of the provisions
of the Federal Constitution and to per.
petual union of States; pledges itself tC
rigid fidelity to public trust; to a pure
and economical administration of the


Federal States and municipal govern.
ments; to local self-government in every
section to the honest payment of the
public debtand to sound preservation oi
public faith. They see with humiliation
and alarm evidences of bribery, fraud
and peculation in high places the dis
tress that prevails and the widespread
financial ruin that impends over the peo.
pie of the State and they charge that
these evils are direct results of personal
government, unwise legislation, vicious
financial policy, extravaganza, and cor
ruption of the Republican party. They
declare,


First-That the Civil Service of the
Government has become corrupt and is
made the object of personal gain, and in
fidelity to public trust has become the
rule and not the exception; we believe
that honesty, capacity and fidelity are
the only tests of fitness for public station,
and that wholesome penalties of law
should be used with rigor to enforce Off
cial accountability.


Second-That the repeated exposures
of fraud and corruption in the admins
tration of public affairs call for a search
ing and thorough investigation of the
conduct and condition of every branch of
the public service to the end that all cor
rupt practices may be brought to light,
and that all who have abused and be-
trayed their public trusts, whatever may
be their station, may be exposed and
punished, and we urge those in charge
of this subject at Washington to prompt,
thorough and exhaustive examination of
their resi- ective fields of labor.


Third-That retrenchment and econo-
my are indispensable in Federal States
and municipal administrations, and are
an essential means towards lessening the
burdens of the people, and we commend
the efforts of the majority of the House
of Representatives for reduction of ex-
penditures of the Federal Government to
a just standard, and their determination
t. learn the number of Useless officials


Fourth-That general amnesty to all
persons implicated in the late rebellion
against the Government of the United
States, who have not already been re-
lieved from disabilities by the action of
Congress, and of the President, would be
an allowable and proper exercise of gov
ermental power in the year of the Cen
tennial celebration of American Inde-
pendence, and that recommendation of
such measure by President Grant in
public message and its endorsement and
passage by Republican House of Rep
resentatives at former session, consti-
tutes full proc that such measure is fit,
judicious and timely.


Fifth-Approves of provisions of the
State Constitution which protect noto' y
school funds but other public .uUneys
from appropriation to sectarian uses, and
that they fifty illustrate that doctrine of
separation of Church and State which alD
ways has been cardinal one with the
Democratic party.


Sixth-That the statute for resumption
OF specie payments on the 1st Of Janu-
ary, 1879, is impossible to execute; il is
a deliberate proclamation that at that
date the United States will 60 into bank
ruptcy; it paralyzes industry, creates dis
trust of the future, turns the laborer and
producer out of employment; is stand
ing threat upon business men, and ought
to be forthwith repealed.


Seventh-That gold and silver are the
only true basis for the currency of the
Republic and that Congress should take
such steps for the resumption of specie
payments as will most surely and speedi-
ly reach that result without destroying
the business interests of the people.


Elghth-That the present depression
Ofall our national industriesWhich checks
the wholesome flow of capital through
the channels of enterprise, and denies to
honest labor decent livelihood, is di-
rect fruit of extravaganza, of reckless
and dishonest Republicans tampering
with the finances of the country. and we
1enounce the authors of that legislation
rs officials who have unsettled founda-
ions alike of State and of home.


We call upon the people to aid us to |
halt them in this fatal career, and to set |
heir faces in the direction of practical |
measures which shall eventually enable |
,he Treasury of the United States to |
Keep its plighted faith with the rich and |
poor alike. We demand legislation |
through the power of the Federal Gov.
,rnment which shall give us performance |
or promises and restore prosperity to |
he people.


ResolUed, That, in common with the
people of our sister States, we rejoice in
he opportunity to celebrate the centen-
lial ofthe proclamation of our emanci-
,ation from the Government of the Brit
sh Crown, making as it did, an epoch of
he greatest event in modern history, and
eel a just pride that its celebration
hould be upon thesoil ofour own Com
and in city where independ-
nee was declared.


A resolution declaring that this Con-
'ention presents to the Democratic party
f the United States the name of Hon. ].
!, Black as candidate for President was
abled.


The Convention then adjourned.