We are opposed to all propositions which, upon any
pretext, would convert the general government into a
machine for collecting taxes to be distributed among
the States," or the citizens thereof.
In reaffirming the declaration of the Democratic
platform of 1856, that "the liberal principles embodied
by Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence, and
sanctioned in the Constitution, which make ours the
land of liberty and the asylum of the oppressed of
every nation, have ever been cardinal principles in the
Democratic faith," we nevertheless do not sanction the
importation of foreign labor, or the admission of ser-
vile races, unfitted by habits, training, religion or
kindred for absorption into the great body of our
people, or for the citizenship which our laws confer.
American civilization demands that against the immi-
gration or importation of Mongolians to these shores
our gates be closed.
The Democratic party insists that it is the duty of
this government to protect, with equal fidelity and
vigilance, the rights of its citizens, native and nat-
uralized, at home and abroad ; and to the end that this
protection may be assured, United States papers of
naturalization, issued by courts of competent jurisdic-
tion, must be respected by the executive and legislative
departments of our own government and by all foreign
powers.
Why we are Democrats. 231

It is an imperative duty of this government to
efficiently protect all the rights of persons and prop-
erty of every American citizen in foreign lands, and
demand and enforce full reparation for any invasion
thereof.
