Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 May 1879 — IOWA DEMOCRACY. [ARTICLE]

IOWA DEMOCRACY.

Meeting of the State Convention —A Fine Body of Men —The Proceedings Harmonious, and a Strong Ticket Nominated —The Candidates and the Platform. Council Bluffs, lowa, May 22. The Democratic State Convention, held here yesterday, was beyond donbt the largest Democratic political gathering evoz held in lowa. Besides being largely attended, the personnel of the body was good—so much so that it was noticeable by everybody. Even the delegates themselves were congratulating each other on the improved membership of the body over former conventions.

Ed Campbell, Jr., Chairman es the State Central Committee, called the convention to order, • and, on his motion; Hon. J. B. Hagerman, of Keokuk, law partner of Secretary of War McCrary, was made temporary Chairman. He made a speech eulogizing the Democrats in Congress for their patriotic position in demanding the repeal of the election laws, and forcing upon Hayes the responsibility of denying American people the right to go to the polls and deposit their ballots unintimidated by the presence of Federal bayonets and partisan Supervisors and unscrupulous United States Marshals and their deputies. His remarks were vehemently applauded. Gen. Augustus C. Dodge, of Burlington, at one time a United States Senator from lowa, was made permanent Chairman. He, too, insisted that the issue before the people was one against bayonet rule, centralized power and a corrupt ballot, which the Republican party is nursing and relying upon to override the people and perpetuate its own power. Hon. H, H. Trimble, of Davis county, one of the ablest lawyers in lowa,was nominated by acclamation for Governor. CoL Trimble not only fought in the Mexican war, but he made a brilliant record in the late unpleasantness between the sections. At the battle of Pea Ridge he received a rebel pea in his head which is there to this day. He is a strong man with the people, and will poll several thousand more votes than any other man that could have been named by the convention. Capt. J. A. O. Yeoman, a gallant crippled soldier, was nominated for Lieutenant Governor amid yells and hurrahs that made some of the stalwart Republicans present feel and believe that the revolution had actually begun. Yeoman was ushered hastily to the platform, where he made a ten-minutes’ speech that f«,irly brought the whole body of delegates to their feet, and created the wildest enthusiasm. The remainder of the ticket was a mere formality and was made up in a hurry and a hurrah. Reuben Noble, of Clayton county, was nominated for Judge of the Supreme Court, and Irwin Baker was made the candidate for Superintendent Ed. Campbell, Jr., was re-elected Chairman of the State Central Committee, and L. G. Kinne, of Tama county, was re-elected Secretary of the committee. The following platform was adopted: Reso ve.d, That the Democratic party now, as in the past, insists that oar liberties depend uponMie strict construction and observance ot the constitution of the United States and all its amendments. Resolved, That the States and the General Government should be sternly restrained to their re spective spheres and to the exercise only of the powers granted and reserved by the constitution. Resolved, That the policy of the Republican party, by which it inflates the Importance of the States when necessary,to cover the theft of the Presidency, and in turn magnifies the functions of the General. Government to cover the coercion of the States into indorsement of the partisan will of the fraudu'ent Executive, is a policy full of evil and fruitful of danger. Resolved, That such policy is intended to array section against section, the States against the General Government, and it against the States in turn, for the purpose of destroying the freedom of both, and teaching the people‘to look to a strong government as shelter from the anarchy its advocates have planned. Resolved, That evidences of these nefarious purposes arc furnished by the present attitude of the Republican party, which is arrayed against a free ballot, on which depends all the liberties secured to us ny the constitution. Resolved, That we view with alarm the determination of the Republican party, through its fraudulent Executive, to deprive this republic of its army, so necessary to the defense of its frontier, and its protection from foreign and domestic enemies, by vetoing appropriations for the pay and support of our soldiers unless they can be used to force voters to record the mere will of the Executive. Resolved, That we hail the Democratic Senators and Representatives in Congress as worthy the heroic lineage of American citizens in standing firmly for the American idea in government as against the despotic theory from which our Revolutionary fathers revolted, and we ask all lovers of liberty to join us and them io protest aga nst the change in our form of government proposed by the Republican party, which will substitute the will of one man for that of the majority of all the people. Resolved, That we are in favor of the substitution of United States treasury notes . for nationalbank notes, and of the abolition of national banks as banks of issue; that the Government of the United States issue the money for the people; and, further, that we favor a reduction of the bonded debt of the United States as fast as practicable, and the application of the idle money in the treasury for that purpose. Resolved, That we favor the free and unlimited coinage of the silver dollar of 412)6 grains, and providing certificates for silver bullion which may be deposited in the United States treasury, the same to be a legal tender for all purposes. Resolved, That we favor a tariff for revenue only. Resolved, lhat we are in favor of economy in public expenditures, including a reduction of salaries, local and general, whenever they may be deemed excessive, and also a reduction in the number of officials. Resolved, That the Democratic party of lowa is desirous of promoting temperance, and, being opposed to free whisky, it is in favor of a judicious License law. Resolved, That we favor holding all public servants to a strict accountability, and their prompt and severe punishment for all thefts of public moneys and maladministration of public office.