American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-05-11
Liberal Republican Platform.

| THE following is the platform adopted
by the recent National Liberal Republi
can Convention at Cincinnati, and which
| Convention nominated for President of
the United States, Horace Greeley, of
| New York, and for Vice President, b.
| GratZ Brown of Missouri:
The Administration now in power has rendered
itself guilty of wanton disregard of the laws of
| tuition. 1t has acted as if laws had binding force
only for those who are governed and not for those
who govern 1t has thus struck a blow at the fun
damenta principles of Constitutional Government
and the liberties of the citizens The President of
the United States has openly used the powers and
of personal ends. He has kept not"riously corrupt
and unworthy men in places of power and respon-
slbility to the detrment OF the public interest. He
has used the public service of the Government as
machinery of partisan and political influence. and
affairs of the States and municipalities. He has
warded with influential and lucrative offices men
who had acquired his favor by valuable presents,
thus stimulating the decentralization of our poiiti
cal life by his conspicuous example. He has
shown himself deplorabiy unequal to me tasks I'M
and culpably careless of the responsibilities of
ton, assuming to be the Republican party, and
controlling Its organization, have at
such abuses. To the end of maintaining partisan
ascendency, they have stood in the way OF neces-
sary investigations and indispen able REFORM that
no serious fault could be found with the present
administration of public affairs Thus seeking
to blind the eyes Of the people, they have
kept alive the passions and resentments of the
late civil war, to use them for their own advan-
tages. They have resorted to arbitrary measures
in direct conflict with the organic law, instead of
appealing the better instincts, talent. and pa
triotsm of the Southern people by restoring to
pensabe for a successful administration of their
local affairs. and would tend to move a patriotic
and hopeful national feeling They have degraded
themselves anu the name of their party justly
entitled to the confidence of the nation by Il base
sycophancy to the dispenser of Executive power
a1dT INV
They have sought silence the voice of just crifi
ism, to stihe the moral of the people, and to
cipline. They are striving to maintain themselves
In authority for selfish ends by inscriptions of
the power which rightfully belongs To the people,
and should be employed only in the service of the
country. Believing that an organization thus led
and controlled cannot longer be of service To the
best interests of the Republic, have resolved to
make an independent appeal to the sober Judg-
people; therefore,
Resolred, That we. the Liberal Republicans of
the United States, in National Convention assem-
bled at Cincinnati, proclaim the following princi-
pies as essential to just government:
law, and hold that 1t Is the duty OF the Govern
ment, in its dealings with the people to mets out
equal and exact justice ALL of whatever MAI ivity,
race color persuasion. religious political.
> We pledge ourselves to maintain the law, the
union of these States emancipation and enfrln-
questions settled by the Thirteenth, Fon,teenth
and Fifteenth Amendments Of the Constitution.
B. We demand the immediate and absolute
removal of all disabilities imposed on account of
the rebellion. which finally subdued seven
years ago, believing that universal amnesty will
r. suit in complete qualification in all sections OF
l. Local self-government, with impartial -uf-
frage. will guard the rights of all citizens more
securely than any centralized power. The public
welfare requires the supremacy of the civil over
the of he 81 We
for the individual the largest liberty consistent
ment, and for the nation to return TO the methods
of peace and the constitutional limitations of
power.
s. The Civil Service of the Government has be
come Il mere instrument of PARTISAN tyranny and
personal ambition and object of selfish greed
1t is scandal and reproach upon free 1nstitu-
TONS and breeds decentralization dangerous to
the perpetuity Of Republican Government.
g. We therefore regard thorough reform of the
Civil Service of the most pressing necessi-
ties of the hour; that honesty capacity and iide-
pioyment; that the offices of Government cease to
be n matter of arbitrary favoriti-m and patronage,
and that public station shall become again The
post of honor To this end il is imperativey re- |
quired that no President shall be candidate for
reelection.
which shall not necessarily interfere with the |
industry of the people. and which shall provide |
Government. economically adminiStered-the pen |
sions the interest on the public debt and a moder
ate annual reduction of the principal thereof; and
recognizing that there are in our midst honest but
irreconcilable differences of opinion with regard |
Trade We remit the discussion Of the subject 70 |
the people in their Congressional Districts, and
the decision of Congress thereon wholly Tree OF /
executive interference dctation.
8. the public credit must he sacredly maintained, |
and we denounce Reputation in every form and |
Iise.
D. A speedy return to specie payments demand |
ed alike by the highest considerations of COM
mercial morality and honest Government.
TO- We remember with gratitude the heroism
and sacrifices of the soldiers and sailors of the Re
public, and act of ours shall ever detract from
their Justly earned fame the full rewards of
their patriotism.
II. We opposed to all further grants of lands
to railroads or other corporations. The public |
domain should be held sacred TO actual settlers.
L. We hold that il Is the duty of the Govern
ment, in its intercourse with foreign nations. 10
cultivate the friendships of peace by treating with
all fair and equal terms; regarding II alike dis
honorable either to demand what Is not right. or
TO submit what is wrong.
n For the promotion and success of the several /
principles and support of the candidates nominated
nv This Convention. invite and cordially
welcome the operation of all patriotic citizens,
without regard to previous political affiliations