New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-05-21
Platform of Kentucky Republicans.

convention assembled, submit for the con-
sideratiOn of their fellow-itzens the follow
ing resolutions as embodying their views of
1 the political principles and some of the
measures of legislation that are best calcu-
! lated to promote the peace and prosperity
/ of all the citizens of the State
| i. A State convention should be called
| for the purpose of making such amendments
to the constitution of Kentucky as expe-
| rlence and events have shown to be neces-
sary.
Z. We are in favor of, and most cordially
! invite immigration to our State. Kentucky
needs immigration, that its vast agricultural,
mineral and manufacturing resources may
| be developed. To this end the people OF
| Kentucky should give immigrants hearty
| welcome. and by legislation and otherwise
| assure them that they will be secure IN their
lives, liberty and property, free to express
/ their political and religious opinions. We
| favor the largest individual liberty, secured
| bv impartial laws efficiently enforced.
| 3. We arraign the so-called Democratic
| party of Kentucky. because of its uni ust
and timid policy through the Legislature.
composed almost exclusively of members of
| that party: it is culpable alike for its action
and non-actlOD:
First-It persistently refused to pass any
! efficient law for the suppression of that
| form of lawlessness known az ku-kluxism,
| which VIGOROUSLY prevailed in many parts
of the State. intimidating and numbering
| peaceful citizens. defving the officers of the
| law. overawiHg the courts, and boldly in
vading the capital while the General As
sembly was in session.
Second-NO mans life, liberty or property
is or can he secure without the right TO
complain and he heard before the public
tribunals of the country, and yet the Ken
lucky Legislature stubbOrnly refused to
pass a law giving equal rights in this re-
gard before and in the courts to our cOlored
fellow citizens We denounce the denial of
this equal right before the law as IN
christian, and unworthy the age in which |
we live.
Third-It has largely increased the pub |
lie debt and wasted the public money.
Fpurth-It has SO shaped the legislation |
of the State to turn the tide of immigra-
ton and capital from this to other States, |
and so pandered to the passions incident to
the late civil war as to keep alive a spirit |
of sectionalism and place the people of
Kentucky in an attitude of hostility to the
inevitable results of the war.
Fifth-It has uDjustly Disseminated
against the colored population by exempt
ing from sale for debt the homesteads of
white persons only.
Sixth-It failed to perform the high and
solemn duty of a government in not making
adequate provision for the education Of all
the children of the State.
Seventh-The platform of the late Demo
cratic convention promises no change of |
policy by that party.
4. We trust that every portion of the
State will ere long be traversed by rail
roads, thereby securing to the people of
each locality easy and cheap conlmunica-
ton with every part OF the country. En-
terprise and capital should, by liberal and
prudent legislation, be invited to the &C
of works of internal i'm
provement, and all legislation tending to
make stronger and perpetuate existing
railroad monopolies, absorbing the capital
of the State and controlling its politics or
a denial to any portion of the State of equal
railroad facilities with any other should |
not be tolerated, because it was detrimental |
to the best interests of the State and I'M
just. And we condemn the Kentucky Leg
islature for it's persistent refusal TO adopt ,
and act upon this principle.
). Acquescence in the thirteenth, four
teenth and fifteenth amendments to the
of the United States. and their
by equal, just and impartial '
laws III all parts of the country are essential
TO our peace and prosperity, and TO the per :
Detuity of republican institutions. The at 1
empt of the so-called Democracy of Ken A
lucky to prevent the enforcement of the
provisions of these amendments is revolu- r
iOnary in character ,'hostile to the peace of {
he State and nation, and perilous to repub- E
lean institutions.
g. With charity for ALL with malice TO- D
yard none; with firm determination to
ursue the right, as God gives US to see the I
light, we are IN favor of complete amnesty J
o all of our feliow-citizens of every State
Tho are laboring under disabilities by rea- Il
on of their participation in the late re
elton. We earnestly desire the restora-
ion of friendly relations with the people of s.
W sister States lately in arms against the g
ational authority, and earnestly wish for !,
lem all the blessings and prosperity to be .
Djoyed under republican form Of govern. :
ent. a
Z, The federal and State governments are > ~
arts of one system, alike necessary for the y
Dmmon prosperity, peace and security,
adj ought to he regarded alike with cor 81
al, habitual and immovable attachment So
aspect for the authority of each, and al
'quiescence IN the just constitutional dt
easures OF each, are duties required by al
e plainest considerations of national, Oh
ate and individual welfare. But the CON
tuition and laws Of the United States de
ade in pursuance thereof, and all treaties IN
ade under the authority of the United ~
ates, and the supreme law of the land. ~
ything in the constitution and laws of Iu
" State 10 the contrary notwithstanding. 10
b. 1t IL the duty of every branch of the
vernment TO enforce and practice the most dc
sld economy, and no more revenue ought az
be raised than is necessary to fulfill the w
legations, maintain the honor, and defray DO
e legitimate expenses of the government,
Guiding the payment of pensions to our M
trIotlc soldiers and sailors, their widows %
d children, and for the gradual but Ger g
in extin guishment, in good faith of the
bt created IN the suppression of the late IDi
JelliOn.
}. We are in favor of further reduction is
he upiH
enever it can be done consistently with
, maintenance of the national credit. We err
: in favor OF correcting every practical oV
ustice, inequality and irregularity in the Is
,sent mode of raising revenue as expert r,
;e may, from time to time, show to be ne oIl
,sarv and nroner We arc Loweyar on 93i
sed to the system of direct taxation a.
icb our ornaments suggest hut bave nor sol
courage to designate or explain. !
o. The prospect of an early adjustment gu
our difficulties with Great Britain upon ",
lbs honorable to both countries; the in !
ased vigor to be seen in the Treasury an.
partment, whereby the revenues of the i
lntrv have been greatly increased, the pre-
Iuctlon of internal revenue and tariff INC
es, the diminution of the national debt IN
the average rate of $8,00O,000 per month en-
llng the administration of General Grant, L
Increased value of the national currency, ers
wing been brought twenty per cent nearer W
pecle standard; the overthrow of corrupt ydI
gs winch existed in the revenue system L
ler the last administration; the inaugu- ioc
ION OF more humane and less expensive ah'
nan polcy, are all results for which the ma
intry owes debt of gratitude to the KIP
sent federal administration. '