Year: 1876




WHAT OUR PLATFORM SHOULD BE.


The grand profession OF political faith
adopted by the National Democratic
Convention at st. Louis IL the keynote
OF glorious symphony now resoundipg
throughout the Union. and In which
the Democratic Conventions of all OF
the States should hasten to join. The
one earnest, longing desire and aspira-
tion OF the honest masses OF every State
Ia Reform. The National Democratic
party, which, by the force OF circum-
stances, has become intensely and sin-
cerely conservative, has made reform
Its shibboleth for the coming struggle.
and II 1t Ia now more hopeful and conf
dent OF SUCCESS than II has been since
1856, 1t Is because It has made its cause
the cause OF the people ~ against cor
rupt and bureaucratic despotisn, and
realized the fact that Gin this sign" It
oan conquer and In no other.


Most OF the platforms of party con-
ventions Ok lats have been nothing more
than an incoherent tumble Of meaning
loss platitudes or deceitful promises.
aiming at the capture OF votes by Gun
ming devices. Such contrivances Indicate
spirit Of chicanery which utterly con
founds It's unworthy inventors, for the
people are rarely deceived by 1t. In
times OF general prosperity, the masses
vote with one party or the other,
according TO some general preference
growing out OF past affiliations,
but In this year OF universal dis
tress, when everybody Is seeking cor
rect diagnosis OF the nature Of the ma
tion's malady and all have pretty con
clusively satisfied themselves that 1t H.
referable to nisgovernment, both na-
tional and local, there is universal de.
mand for reform in every department OF
public affairs. We trust that our Con
vention will give heed to this demand
aud make reform the paramount and
all-absorbing issue Of the day. The
Democratic Conservative party must.
OF course, pledge itself to a full and
honest acceptance Of the binding effect
of the recent articles OF amend
ment TO the National Constitution must
pledge itself to the recognition OF the
political and civil equality of the col
ored race, and to the satisfaction OF all
legal and constitutional obligations OF
the State. Our delegates would be un-
faithful representatives Of their constit-
uents II they should utter any uncer-
tain sound on these points. for the
masses OF the party are OF one accord
In respect to these matters and desire
that they be removed now and forever
from the arena Of political discussion.
But tho constant refrain OF our song
must be reform, and 1t must be uttered
in language 80 plain and convincing
that there can arise no doubt OF our sin
cerity in the matter.


Every student Of political and gov
ernmental affairs knows that there are
many abuses In our methods Of govern
ments which call for immediate reform
alton. We cannot at this time enlarge
upon 30 vast subject, but we respect
fully urge our convention to pledge the
party to the abolition OF unnecessary
public offlces. to the reduction OF fees
and salaries to a fair and proper stan
dard, and to the curtailment OF the dam
gerously large executive patronage. II
We pledge ourselves to these reforms
and exhibit, by the earnestness OF our
advocacy OF them, satisfactory evidences
OF the sincerity with which we promise
to correct abuses, we shall do more to
conciliate and win over those voters who
are independent OF party ties than by
the use Of the most thrilling and patri-
otic rhetoric. 49,