The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-05-02


assem- bled in Convention nc Indianapo-
lis, on the 22d day OF February, 1870. make
the following declaration of principles:
CONGRATULATIONS.
l. We congratulate the country on the
restoration Of law and order in the late
TebelliOus States, under the recOnftTuo-
ton measures adopted by the general
Government, Gnd upon the return of
people OF ali the States under "a Constitu-
ton securing an equality Of political and
tinction Of race or color.
THE CONSTITUTION.
2. That we reverence the Constitution of
the United States, as the supreme law OF
the Iand, and wise embodiment OF the
principles OF free Government, and fol-
lowing It's teachings we Will adout from
time To time, such amendments as are
necessary ii'.'tess more completely 70 establish
secure the ble7siD gs Of liberty to ourselves
and our posteriiy.
FTTTEEgTH AMENDMENT.
g. That we rejoice at the ratification Of
secures an equality of political rights to
all men, and we extend to the colored
man man hSiPskng nand TO enable him IN
the race OF life TO improve and elevate his
condition.
NATIONAL DEBT,
4. That the National Debt. created I'm
the defense and preservation a the u nfon,
however great the burde.1, must be cheer
fully borne until honorahiy and honestly
extinguished in accordance with the letter
and spirit OF the several laws authorizing
the debt, and that all attempts at repudia-
tion OF principal or interest sh9uld meet
the scorn and denuneiation OF any honest
and patriotic people.
ECONOMY DE8IANDED.
5. That we demand, In every department
of the Government, from the highest 10 the
lowest, the strictest economy in all ex-
pendltures, consistent with the require
ments OF the public service; the reduction
and abolishment of ali extravagant fees
and salaries; the closing OF ali usel IS
offices. and the dismissal Of their fneun
bents, and All efforts to these ends, 10
Congress or elsewhere, have our unquali-
Ned approval.
REDUCING TAXES.
O. That a reduction OF taxation is de-
manded both OF tariR and internal taxes,
until II reaches the lowest amount consist
ent with the credit and necessities of the
Government, and that we are in favor of a
tariff for revenue, believing that a proper
adjustment OF duties must necessarily af-
ford all the incidental protection TO which
any Interest Is entitled.
CURRENCY.
7. That we are in favor of a currency
founded on the national credit as abund-
ant as the trade aud commerce OF the
of all laws in reference thereto which es-
tablishes monopoly or inequality tt erein.
LANDS AND SUBSIDIES.
8. That we are opposed TO the donation
of the public lands or the grant of sub
corporations, and that we demand the
reservation Of the public domain for the
use OF actual settlers az educational pur-
poses.
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS
8. That we re-affirm that "of all who
were faithful in the trials of the late war,
there are none entitled TO more especial
honor than the brave so diers and seamen
who endured the hardships OF campaign
and cruise, and imperiled their lives In
the service Of their country. and the boun
ties and pensions provided by law for
those brave defenders OF the nation are
obligations never TO be forgotten, and
ent. he widows and orphans OF the gal
liant dead are the w4rds of the nation-a
sacred legacy bequeathed to the nations
protecting care
ENDoRsRMENT or CONGRESS.
10. That we approve the general course
of our Senator and Republican Represen-
and entire confidence that they Will act
with wisdom and integrity in all that con-
Germs the welfare OF the people; and that
we tender thanks to Senator Morton for
his eXeTtions IN so shaping the leRis alton
nf Congress on the reconstruction OF the
OF the Fifteenth Amendment.
ADMINISTRATION ENDORSED.
IL. That we endorse the administration
of General Grant as President of the UNI
ted states; accept the increased collections
OF revenue, the reduction OF expenditures,
and payment Of large portion Of the pub
lie deDt as a fuifllment OF hts promises OF
General OF the U9ion armies should. as a
civil officer, receive the lagt of the rebel
States Ia It's return 10 the national family.
MORAL LEGIsLATIoN.
IL. Inasmueh as all Republican Govern
ments d. pend for their stability and pei
petuity, on the intelligence and virtue Of
the people, 10 II the right and duty OF the
State and National authorit TO esf abtfs /. .
ioSter and secure the highest moral an In
tel ectual development or the peo pie.
COUNTY REFORM.
I3. That taxation for county and other
local purpo es mas become 50 great as TO DO
oppressive 90 the people; that our system
OF county administration needs reform
and We demBnd Of our representatives fn
the Legislature such changes In the stat
utes Of the state as will protect the people
| from extravagant tax Ievies by local au-
thorities; and as an aid to this needed re-
form, we favor a reduction OF the fees of
/ county officers TO a standard which will
| furnish fair and reasonable compensa-
| tion for the services rendered, aud that no
officer should be favored with salary, fees
/ orperquisites beyond such fair and reason-
able compensation.
CANAL BONDS.
IA. That the canal stocks, Issued under
/ the legislation of 1913 and 1877, commonly
4 called the 4" Butler BILL" were, by the terms
/ OF the contract, charged exclusively upon
/ the Wabash and Erie Canai, its revenues
and lands; and the faith OF the State never
/ having been directly or Indirectly pledged
/ for the payment or redemption thereof
said canal stocks therefore constitute no
part OF the outstanding debts or liabilities
/ ofthe State. That the Constitution of this
i State ought to be amended at the earliest
/ practicable period, so as to prohibit the
taking effect OF any law or acts OF the Gen
/ eral Assembly proposing TO recognize or
/ create any liability of the State for the
i said canal stocks, or any part thereof, un-
/ I'll such proposition shall have been sub
/ mitted TO "A direct vote OF the people of the
/ State and approved by them.
STATE ADMINISTRATIONS ENDoRsED.
I5 That we heartily endorse the admin
tstration OF our State affairs by Governor
Baker and his associate officers, and espe-
| cially congratulate the people that the
| time IS so near when the State debt will be
| entirely iquidated.