The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1872-05-10
M i S lIaneous
THE LIBERAL REPUBLICAN PLAT
FORM.

FOKM.
The following is the platform of princi-
Piles adopted by the convention of Liberal
Republicans recently in session at Cincin-
natl:
ADDRESS.
The administration now in power has
rendered itself guilty of wanton disregarnd
of the laws of the land, and of usurpation
of powers not granted by the constitution
1t has acted as if the laws had binding
force only for those who are governed, and
not for those who govern. 1t has thus
struck blow at the fundamental princi-
piles of constitutional government and the
liberties Of citizens. The President of the
United States has openly used the powers
and opportunities of his high office for the
promotion of personal ends. He has kept
VIGOROUSLY corrupt and unworthy men in
places of power and responsibility, to the
detriment of the public interests.
He has used the public service of the gov
eminent as machinery of partizan and per-
sonal influence, and interfered with tyranni-
cal arrogance in the political affairs of States
and municipalities, He has rewarded
with influential and lucrative offices men
who had acquired his favor by valuable
presents, thus stimulating decentralization
of our political life 10y his conspicuous ex-
ample. He has shown himself deplorably
unequal to the tasks imposed upon him
by the necessities of the country, and cul-
pably careless of the responsibilities of his
high office.
The partizans Of the administration, as
suming to be the republican party, and
controlling its organization, have attempt
ed to justify such wrongs and palliate such
abuses to the end of maintaining partizan
ascendancy. They have stood in the way
of necessary Investigations and indispensa-
BILE reforms, pretending that no serious fault
could be found with the present admins
tration of public affairs, thus seeking to
blind the eyes of the people. They kept
alive the passions and resentments of the
late civil war to use them to their own ad-
vantage.
They have resorted to arbitrary measures
in direct conflict with the organic law in
stead of appealing to the better instincts
and latent patriotism of the Southern peo-
pie, by restoring to them those rights, the
enjoyment of which is indispensable to a
successful administration of their local af-
fairs, and would tend to promote a patriot
ic and hopeful national feeling. They have
degraded themselves and the name of their
party, once justly entitled to the confidence
of the nation, by base sycophancy to the
dispenser of executive power and patron
age, unworthy of republican freemen.
They have sought to stihe the voice
of Just criticisms, to stfe the moral
sense of the people, and to subjugate pub
| lie opinion by tyrannical party discipline.
They are striving to maintain themselves
in authority for selfish ends, by an unscru-
pulous use ofpower which rightfully be-
longs to the people, and should be employ
ed only in the service of the country.
Believing that an organization thus led
and controlled can no longer be of service
to the best interests of the republic, we
have resolved to make an independent APP
peal TO the sober judgment, conscience and
patriotism of the American people.
THE LIBERAL PLATFORM.
The following are the resolutions in full !:
We the liberal republicans of the United
States, in national convention assembled
at Cincinnati, proclaim the following prin-
ciples as essential to just government:
First. We recognize the equality of all
men before the law, and hold that it is the
duty of the government, in its dealings
with the people, to mete out equal and ex-
act justice to all, of whatever nativity, race,
color or persuasion, religious or political
Second. We pledge ourselves to main
tain the union of these States, emancpa-
ton and enfranchisement, and to oppose
any reopening of the questions settled by
the 18th, 18th and 18th amendments of the
constitution.
Third. We demand the immediate and
! absolute removal of all disabilities impos-
ed on account of the rebellion, which was
finally subdued seven years ago, believing
that universal amnesty will result in the
complete paciication of all sections of the
country.
Fourth. Local self-government, with
impartial suffrage, will guard the rights of
all citizens more securely than any central