The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1871-11-02
REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.

Resolued, That tho Republican party of
Minnesota, while earnestly desiring the
prosperity Of every section Of our COM
mon country, and tho smplest develop
ment Of commerce and manufactures, new
ertheless regards agriculture as the para
mount material intoreat Of the nation, to
which al other forms Of industry should
DO held subordinate.
Resolued, That the essence Of law is
equality and universslity, and that it is
beyond tho constitutional power Of the
general government to discriminate in its
legislation between different classes Of tho
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 a. engine Of destruction for others.
That such . policy Is % unlimited in ito
operations % human selfshness, aud tends
to absorb in tho hands Of the few the SUBJ
stance Of the many, and thus create those
great inequalities Of wealth and poverty
which threaten the very existence Of our
free institutions.
Resoived, That while We prefer Indirect
taxation BY imposts on importations to
direct taxation upon the basis Of popula-
ton or under . system of revenue, justice
and policy dictste that the burdens Of the
government should fall with most weight
upon the vices and laxuries Of society, and
with least force upon tho wants Of the
multitude, and that the government should
regard rather the prosperity Of tho great
mass than tho aggrandizement Of those
already wealthy.
kesolved, That tho administration Of
the public affairs OF the State by Govern
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 the people; and
therefore deserves the approval Of every
citizen Of the State irrespective Of party.
.Resolved, That the continued sscendency
of the Republican party Of tho nation is
great struggle through which We have late
y passed; and to place tho rights and
Liberties Of the entire people on such secure
foundations Is to be forever beyond the
reach Of overthrow in any future contin-
gency.
Re.olvsd, That tho administration Of
President Grant has been practical, able,
aud efficient. and characterized by an hon
est collection of the revenues of the govern
ment and by IN economical expenditure of
its resources, and that the treaty of WASH
ington, by removing all danger of foreign
war, couameuds itself to every friend Of
peace and is worthy of tho great, wise 70.
public Of the world.
Resolved, That the internal improvement
lands owned by the state should be opened
for immediate occupation by actual settlers
1T reasonable compensation, their sale
to be regulated by some system of ap-
praisement and credit similar to that pro-
vided by our school lands, and that nett her
the lands themselves nor the fun4s derived
from such sale should be disposed of by
the Legislature tor any purpose until t,le
law prvvldIu;; Tor their ,l~,p.;4l shall be
submitted - d yu,e Of lie people. at an an
nnal &5v"el' 4 election, ;.nt t. hat end we
recommend the adoption Of q constitutions
al amended TO that effect.
Resolved, That the railroads Of the ceun-
try, having been constructed to promote
the interests Of commerce, and deriving
every power they possess directly from the
people, are at all times, and under all cir
cumstances, proper subjects Of just legis-
lation tending to the promotion Of the pub.
lie Welfare. and that We recognise and
enunoiate the principal that in any conflict
between the State and corporations trans-
acting business within its limits, it becomes
the duty Of the State to protect its citizens
BY the exercise Of every legitimate mean.
at Its command.