The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1871-10-26
REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.

Resolved, That the Republican party o
Minnesota, while earnestly desiring tn,
prosperity of every section of our com
mon country, and the amplest develop
ment Of commerce and manufactures, new
er'heless regards agriculture as the para
mount materi Il interest Of the nation, tc
which all other forms of industry shoulo
be held subordinate.
! quality and universally, and that it il
beyond the constitutional power Of the
! gene. al government t. 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 1t
is an engine of destruction for others.
That such policy is as unlimited in its
operations as human selfshness, aud tents
10 absorb in the hands OF the few the sub
stance Of the many, and thus create those
great inequalities Of wealth and poverty
| which threaten the very existence of our
| free institutions.
Resolved, That while we prefer in lirect
taxation by imposts on importations to
direct taxation upon the basis of popula-
ton or under q system of revenue, justice
and policy dict tte that the burdens OF the
government should fall with most weight
upon the vices an ldxuries OF society, and
with least force upon the wants of the
multitude, and that the government should
regard rather the prosperity OF the great
mass than the agyrandizement OF those
already wealthy.
kesolved, That the 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 direct ed
by the desire 10 protect the resources and
increase the prosperity OF the people; and
therefore deserves the approval Of every
citizen Of the State irrespective of p rty.
Resolved, That the continued sscendency
of the Republican party Of the n.tion is
necessary 10 conserve the fruits of the
grea. struggle through which We have late
ly passed; and to place the rights and
liberties Of the entire people On such secure
foundations rs TO be forever beyond the
reach Of overthrow in any future contin-
gency.
Rcsotped, That the administration of
President Grant has been practical, able.
aud efficient. and characterized by an hon
est collec ion Of the revenues of the govern
a. Mt and by an economical expenditure of
lta resources, and that the treaty of Wash
lngton, ny removing all danger Of foreign
war, commends itself to every friend OF
peace aud is worthy OF the great, wise re-
public Of the world.
Resolved, That the internal Improvement
lands owned by the state should be opene
for immediate occupation by actual settlers
at reasonable compensation, their sale
to be regulated by some system of ap-
pralsement and credit simil n to that pro.
vided by our school lands. and that neither
the lands themselves nor the funds derived
from such sale should be disposed of by
the legislature for any purpose uutil the
law providing for their disposal shall be
submitted to a vote Of the people. at an or
nual general election, and to that end We
recommend the adoption of q constitutions
al amended to that effect.
R"soIued, That the railroads of the coun-
try, having been constructed to promote
the interests Of commerce, and deriving
every power they possess directly from the
people, are At oil times, and under all cir
cumstances, proper Subjects Of just legis-
lat'on tending to the promotion Of the pub
lie welfare, and that we recognize and
enunciate the principal that in any conflic,
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 means
at ITS command.