Year: 1871

ments by the one upon the functions OF the
other.


Fifth-While the fundamental law, as ex-
pressed in the constitution, is necessarily
paramount, until abrogated as prescribed
by that instrument, all legislation is, in its
nature and purposes, temporary and subject
to change modification or repeal at the will
of the majority of the people, as expressed
through the law making power, and that
the pretence that any act of Congress not
executed, or any legislative policy of party
is an absolute fnality is totally inconsistent
with the whole theory of government. and
that it is the unquestionable right of the
people, of themselves and through their
representatives, at each successive election
and in each successive Congress, to judge
what legislation is necessary, proper or ap-
proprlate to carry into execution or enforce
the central powers, rights and duties of the
federal government


SiXth-That as an instance of the emf
nently appropriate legislation under the
fourteenth amendment, we demand now of
Congress universal amnesty.


Seventh-That while we denounce all
riotous combinations and conspiracies
against law or to disturb peace, in the
South or elsewhere, and demand of all good
citizens their utmost influence to put all
such down, we also denOunce the act COM
monty called the bayOnet bill recently
passed by Congress, and the more recent
act commonly called the Ku-Klux bill, ex-
tending by its terms to any State, and en-
acted for no other purpose than to COM
plete Capitalization of all power in the
hands of the general government, and to es-
tablisn military despotism, and thus to
perpetuate the present administration with
out regard to the will of the people, and as
not only inconsistent with the whole theory
and character of the federal government,
Inf ;,,
their character, but are in direct conflict
with the spirit and letter of the constitu-
ton, including the amendments which they
pretend to enforce.


Eighth-That holding still to the good
old Democratic doctrine of annexation or
the acquisition of territory, we are yet to-
tally opposed to the scheme of President
Grant to acquire San Domingo as a job, and
by the means anu for the purposes evi-
IDENTIFY intended.


Ninth-That we are in favor of a strictly
revenue tariff, cOnformed to the theory and
principles of all other just and wise tax
laws, and opposed to the protective theory
so-called.


Tenth-That profigate corruption and
wanton extravaganza, which pervade every
department of the federal government,
sacrifice the interests of labor to aggrandize
a handful of aristOcrats, are wicked de-
privation of the people of their rightful
heritage in the public lands, which have
been made gifts to railroads and other mo-
nopOlists, paying more than twenty millions
premium during the administration of Presi-
dent Grant in government bonds, payable
at par; maintenance, at an annual cost to
the people of nearly thirty millions, of an
unconstitutional, oppressive and eXtortiOn-
ate system of banking, whereby money is
made scarce and interest high, are abuses
which call for wise and thorough rene
dies.


Eleventh-That we are in favor of strict
economy: of large reduction of expendi-
lures in the federal and State governments;
of the collection of internal revenue by the
State authorities, thereby returning to
honest labor myriads of tax gatherers who
affiict our land, eat up its substance; and of
the speedy trial, conviction and punish
ment of the thieves who have stolen the
taxes paid by the people.


Twelfth-That while we reject repudia-
ton we equally reject the proposition to
pay the bondholders more than the contract
with them demands; that if bondholders
have rights so have taxpayers, and we in
sist upon justice being done to both; that
the creditor is entitled to be paid in the
same currency he loaned to the government;
that where he loaned greenbacks he should
be paid in greenbacks, unless the contract
otherwise provides, and where he loaned
gold he should be paid in gold that to
guard against a great expansion, green
backs should be made convertible into
three per cent bonds at the option of note
holders, said bonds to be redeemed in
greenbacks on demand; that the true.
method of returning to specie payments is
to make customs duties payable in legal ten
der currency, whether paper money or
gold that such policy would secure uni
form currency, stop gambling in gold, and
thereby elevate the credit of the govern
ment.


Thirteenth-That with the watchwOrd of
reform we confidently go to the country;
that we believe the interests of the great
body of the people are the same; that with
out regard to political associations they are
the friends of free government; that they
are equally honest, brave and patriotic, and
we appeal to them, as to our brothers and
eountrymen, to aid us TO obtain relief from
grievous abuses, which wrong and oppress
every one except the wrOngdOers and
oppressors themselves.


Fourteenth-Upol the State issues we re-
solve that we are in favor of calling a con-
vention as provided for by article sixteen,
section eight of the State constitution.