Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-06-13
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PLATFORM OF TIE RADICAL
PARTY.

man of committee on resolutions, announe
ccd that Gen. Hawley, secretary of the
committee, would read the resolutions
He said that the committee had but u
short time in which to consider the large
number of questions, SO if the gentlemen
did not find in tho platform every thing
that they desired, he hoped they would
rest assured that it was not excluded
from any ipdisposition to take up and act
upon all.
Gen. Hawley then read the platfo:ra
as follows
The republican party of the United
States, assembled in National Convention
in the city ofPhlladelphia. on the 9th
9th day of June. 1872, again declares
its faith, appeals to its history, and
announces its position upon the questions
before the country.
First. During eleven years otsuprem-
aoy it has accepted, with grand courage
he solemn duties of the time. 1t sup
pressed gigantic rebellion, emancipated
four millions of slaves, decreed the equal
citizenship of Ill, and established uni
versal suffrage. Exhibiting unparalleled
nagnanimity, it criminally punished no
man for political ofFenses, and warmly
welcomed all who proved loyalty BY
obeying the laws and dealing justly with
their neig hbors. 1t has steadily de-
creased, with firm hand, the resultant
disorders Of great war, and initiated
wise ana humane policy towards the In
dams. The Pacific railroad and similar
ysst enterprises have been generally aided
and successfully conducted, The public
lands have been freely given actual
settlers. immigration projected and en-
couragcd, and full ackaowledg ment of
naturallzed citizens rights secured from
European powers. A uniform national
currency has been provided, reputation
frowDed down, the national credit sus-
tanned under the most extraordinary bur
deus and new bonds negotiated at lower
rates. The revenue has been carefully
collected and honestly applied. Despite
the annual large reduction Of the rates
of taxation, the public debt has been re-
duced during General Grants administra
, ton at the rate Of enc hundred million q
year. Great fnanciai crises have been
avoided, and peace and plenty prevail
/ shroughout the lsud. menacing foreign
difficulties peaceably and honorably com
posed, and the honor and power of the
nation kept in high respect throughout
the world. This record Of the pas! is the
parly's best pledge for the future. We
believe that the people will not entrust
the government to any patty Or COM
bination of men composed partly of those
aho have resisted every step Of this
beneficial progress
Second. Complete liberty and exact
equality in the enjoyment Of all civil
political and public rights should be
established and effectualty maintaIned
| throughout the Union by efficient and
appropriate State and federal legislation
Neither the law nor its administration
should admit Of any discrinlna ZION in
respect Of citizens by reason Of race,
creed, color or previous condition Of
sergitude
i L
national constitution should be cordially
sustained, because they are right, not
merely tolerated because they are law
aud should be carried out according to
their spirit BY appropriate Legislation, the
enforcement Of which can safely be
trusted only to the party that secured
those amendments.
Fourth. The national government
should seek to maintain en- honorable
peace with all nations protecting its
citizens every where, and sympathzins
with all people who strive for greater
liberty. +t-
Fifth A system of civil service, under
which the subordinate positions of the
government are considered rewards for
mere party zeal, is fatally dclnoraliz ing,
system by laws which shall abolish the
evils Of patronage, and make honesty,
efficiency and fidelity the essential quail
fications for public positions, without
practically creating life tenure of Office
Sixth. We are opposed to further
grants of the public lauds to corporations
and monopolies, and demand that the
national domain be set apart for free
homes for the pople.
Seventh. The annual revenue, after
paying the current debt. should furnish
moderate balance for the reduction of the
principal, and the revenues, except so
much as may be derived from tax on
tobacco and liquor, be raised by duties
upon importations, the duties of VIII ich
should be SO adjusted as to aid IN secur-
ing remuuerative wages to labor and
promote the industries, prosperity and
growth Of the whole country.
Eighth. We hold IN undying honor
the soldiers and sailors whose yalor saw
ed the Union. Their pensions are a
scared debto thu nation. and the widows
and orphaus of those who died for their
country arc eatitled to the care of
generous aud grateful people We fa-
yer such additional legislation as will
extend tie bounty OF the government to
all our soldiers and sailors who were
honorably discharged, and WIN in the
line Of duty became disabled, without re-
gard to the length of service Or the cause
Of such discharge.
Ninth. The doctrine Of Great Bri-
tain aud other European powers concern
Jog allegiance. "once subject always
subject," having at last, through the
efforts 0: tho republican party been aban-
doned, and the American idea Of the in
dividual's right to transfer allegiance
having been accepted by European ma
lions, it is the duty Of oar government 10
guard with jealous care the right Of adop
ted citizens against the assumption of
unauthorized claims by their former
goyernments. and We urge continued