The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1871-06-07

/ soute finality, Is totally inconsistent
with The whole theory of republican
government, and that it is the unques-
tionable right of the people, of them
selves and through their representa-
tives, at each successive election, and
in each successive Congress, to judge
of what legislation is necessary and
proper or appropriate to carry into
| execution or enforce the constitution
al powers, rights and duties of the
| Federal Government.
Si1th-That, as an instance Of emf
nently appropriate legislation under
the Fourteenth Amendment, we de-
mand now of Congress universal I'M
nesty.
Seuenh-That while we denounce
all riotous combinations and conspira-
| cies against law or to disturb the
peace, in the South, or elsewhere, and
demand OF all good citizens their ut
most influence to put all such down,
we also denounce the act commonly
called the t'Bayonet Bill" recently
passed by Congress; and the more
recent act commonly called the "ku-
klux Bill" extending by its terms, to
every state !; as enacted for no other
I purpose than to complete the ceutrali-
cation of all power in the hands of
the General Government, established
a military despotism, and thus per-
petuate the present administr alton
without regard to the will of the PEG
pie, and as not only utterly %inconsist
ent with the whole theory and charac-
ter of the Federal Government, and
revolutionary and dangerous in their
character, but IN direct conflict with
the spirit and letter Of the Constitution,
including the amendments which they
pretend to enforce.
E;ghth-That holding still to the
good:old Democratic doctrine of an
nexation or acquisitions of territory,
we are yet totally opposed to the
sche ne Of President Grant, to acquire
San Domingo as a ''job," and by the
means and for the purposes, evidently
intended.
Ninth-That we are in favor of a
strictly revenue tariff, CONFIRMED to
the theory and principles OF all other
just and wise tax laws, and opposed to
The protective" theory, so called.
1snh-That the proAigate corrup-
ton and wanton extravaganza which
pervade every department of the fed
eral government ; the sacrifice of the
interests of labor to aggrandize a hand
full of aristocrats the wicked depriva-
ton of the people of their heritage in
the public lands, which have been
made a gift to railway and other mo
nopolists; the payment OF more than
t~wenty.four millions premium. during
1.-THE administration of President Grant,
on government bonds payable at par /;
the maintenance at m annual cost to
the people of nearly thirty millions,
OF. an unconstitutional, oppressive and
6xtortionate system of banking, where
bylmoney is made scarce and interest
high, are abuses which call for wise
and thorough remedies.
EIerenth-That We are in favor oil
strict economy /; of a large reduction il
the expenditures of the Federal and
State Governments; of civil service re
form ; OF the collection of the internal
revenue by State authorities, and
thereby return t. honest labor, the
myriads of tax-gatherers who aflici
} our land and eat up the substance
and IF the speedy trial, conviction ano
punishment of the thieves who have
stolen the taxes paid by the people.
TtoeyA-That while we reject repu
diation, we equally reject the PROPOSE
tion to pay the bondholders more thar
the contract with them demands ; tina
if the bondholders have rights, so have
the tax payers, and we insist upor
} justice being done to both. That TIT
creditor is entilled to be paid in the
same currency he loaned to the Gov
eminent ; that when he loaned green
} backs, he should be paid in green
backs, unless the contract otherwise
provides, and when he loaned gold, he
should be paid in gold. That to guard
against too great an expansion, green
backs should be made convertible into
three per cent. bonds, at the option Of
the note holders, said bonds to be re
deemed in greenbaeks on demand
That the true method of returning to
specie payments is to make custom
dues payable in legal tender currency
whether paper money or gold; thai
such a policy would secure a uniform
currency, stop gambling in gold, anc
thereby elevate the credit of the Gov
eminent.
THirteenth-That with the watch
word of REFORM, we confidently e
to the, country that We believe the
interests of the great body of the PEG
: pie are the same; and without regard
!, to. past political associations, they are
the friends of free government tina
/ they are equally honest, brave anc
patriotic, and we ~appeafto them as te
our brothers and con11rymen to aic
J us to obtain relie!- from the greviou!
abuses which wropg-doers and op
pressors themselves. e
, Fourteenth-Upon State issues VIZ
resolve that we are in favor of calling
: a convention, as provided for by Arti
, Gle XVI, Sec. 8, of the State Consti
tuition.
v Mr.. MORGAN moved the adoption
of the report of the committee as read
Mr.. VALLANDIGHAM-I sec.
! ond the motion.
MINORITY REPORT.
Mr.. HURD, of. Lucas, from tn
f minority of the committee (himsel
and Mr.. Uhl, of Holmes), read the an
minority report:
The.mipority of your Committee hav
ing opposed in consultation the propo
: sition recognising the so-called four'