Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-07-14
THE LIBERAL PLATFORM.

We, the Liberal Republicans of the United
States, in National Convention assembled at Gin
cinnati, proclaim the following principles as es-
sential to Just government:
1. We recognize the equality of all men before
the law, and hold that it is the duty of Govern
ment, in its dealings with the people, to mete out
equal and exact justice to all of whatever ma
tvty, race, color, or persuasion, religious or po-
litical
2. We pledge ourselves to maintain the Union
of these States, emancipation and enfra nchise-
meTt and to oppose any reopening of Che qnes-
tons settled by the thirteenth. fourteenth and
fifteenth amendments of the Constitution.
3. We demand the immediate and absolute re-
moval of all disabilities imposed ON account of
the rebellion, which was finally Bubdued seven
years aga, believing that universal amnesty will
result in complete pa cification in all sections of
4. Local self-goVern,nent with impartial suf-
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 military authority, and the freedom of per-
son under the protection of the habeas corpus.
We demand for the individual the largest liber-
ty consistent with public order, for the State self
government, and for the nation a return TO the
methods of peace and the constitutional limita-
tons of power.
8. The civil service of the Government has be-
come mere instrument u partisan tyranny and
personal ambition, and object OF selfish greed
1t is scandal and reproach upon free institu-
tons, and breeds decentralization dangerous to
the perpetuity of republican government.
6. We therefore regard thorough reform of
the civil service as one of the most pressing
cessities of the hour; that honesty, capacity, and
fidelity constitute the only valid claims TO public
employment; that the offices of the Government
cease 10 be matter of arbitrary favoritism and
patronage, and that public station shall become
again place of honor To this end it Is impera-
lively required that no President shall be can
didate for reelection. ,~ al, .--.- 1900
T. We demand a system of Federal taxation
which shall not unnecessarily interfere with the
industry OF the people, and which shall provide
| the means necessary to pay the expenses of the
1 Government, economically administered, the
pensions, the interest on the public debt, and
moderate annual reduction of the principal
| thereof and recognizing that there are in our
| midst honest and irreconcilable differences of
| opinion with regard to the respective systems of
Protection and Free Trade, we remit the discus
| sion of the subject to the people in their Con-
gressional Districts, and the decision of Congress
thereon, wholly free from Executive interference
or dictatiOn.
8. The public credit must be sacredly main
| tanned, and we denounce reputation in every
| form and guise.
9. A speedy return to specie payments is de-
| manded alike by the highest considerations of
commercial morality and honest government.
10. We remember with gratitude the heroism
and sacrifices of the soldiers and sailors of the
Republic, and no act of ours shall ever detract
from their justly earned fame or the full rewards
| of their patriotism. s..sr. .4
IL. We are opposed to all further grants of land
| to railroads or other corporations. The public
domains should be held sacred TO actual settlers
IL. We hold that it is the duty of the Govern
ment in its intercourse with foreign nations to
cultivate the friendship of peace, by treat ng
with all on fair and equal terms regarding it alike
dishonGrable either TO demand what is not rig hit
or submit to what is wrong.
49, For the promotion and success OF these
vital principles and the support of the candidates
nominated by this convention, we invite and cor
daily welcome the cooperation of all patriotic
citizens without regard to previous political afi
iations.