The St. Cloud journal., 1871-09-28
REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.

heso1ved, Ihat the Republican party of
Minnesota, while earnestly desiring the
prosperity of every section of our COM
mon country, and the smplest develop.
ment Of commerce and manufactures. new
er'heless regards agriculture % the para
mount material interest of, the nation. to
which all other forms Of industry should
be held subordinate.
Resolu lued, That the essence 81 iaw is
equality and universally, and that it is
beyond the constitutional power Of the
general governmental to discriminate in its
legislation between different classes Of the
people, to enrich those engaged in some
pursuits BY taxes levied on those engaged
in other pursuits, thus making the same
law means Of wealth for some, while it
is an engine Of destruction for others.
That such policy is ~ unlimited in its
operations as human sel6shness, aud tends
TO absorb in the hands Of tho few tho SUBJ
stance Of the many, and thus create those
great inequalities Of wealth and poverty
which threaten the very existence Of our
free institutions.
Reso!oed, That while We prefer indirect
taxation by impests on importations to
direct taxation upon tho basis Of populs-
ton or under system Of revenue, justice
and policy dictate that the burdens Of tho
government should fall with most weight
upon the vices and laxuries Of society. and.
with least force upon the wants Of the,
multitude, and that the government should
regard rather the prosperity Of tho great
mass than the sggrandixement OF those
already wealthy.
RESOLVED, That the administration Of
hn Y,11h ofYo ~ -
or Horace Austin, and his associates in
the executive department, has been wise,
honest, able and economical, and directed
by the desire to protect the resources and
increase the prosperity Of tho people; and
therefore deserves tho approval Of every
citizen of the State irrespective Of p .rty.
Rtsol0eo, That the continued ascendeucy
of f'c Republican party Of the nation is
neje*aa':y 10 conserve the fruits of the
gr4as struggle through which We have late
ly rassed and to place The rights and
liberties ofthe entire people On such secure
foundations us to be forever beyond the
reach OF overthrow in any future contiu.
gency.
Resolued, That the administration Of
President Grant has been practical, able,
and efficient. and characterised By IN hon
est collection Of the revenues Of tho govern
mtnt and by an economical expenditure OF
it, resources, and that the treaty Of Wash
lngton, ny removing all danger Of foreign
war. commeads itself to every friend OF
peace and is worthy OF the great, wise re-
public Of the world.
Resolued, That the internal improvement
lands owned by the state should bs opened
for Immediate occupation BY aetusl ssttlera
at reasonable compensation, their sale
to be regulated BY ssme system Of ap-
praisement and credit similar to that pro.
vided by our school lands, and that neithe,
the lands themselves nor the funds derived
from such sale should >be disposed Of by
the lsgislasure for any purpose until tn.
law providing for their disposal ah.ll Isl
submitted 70 vote Of tho people. 1t a ar.
nusl general election, and to that end ~
| recommend the adoption Of q oonstitu ution.
al amended 70 that effect.
| R.solved, That the railroads Of the conn.
| try, having been constructed to promote
the interests Of commerce, and derivin,
every power they possess directly from tn,
people, are a. all times, and under all cir
cumstances, proper sntjeots Of just legis
lat'on tending to the promotion Of tho pub
lie welfare, and that we recognise ant
enunciats the principal that in aay oonfiic
oet1een the State and corporations trans
acting business With i.a limits, it bsovme,
the duty Of the State to protsct its citi zenl
by tie exercise Of every legitimate mean'