Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-08-06
POLITICAL.
THr RaITTMORE PIaTFORM

We, the Democratic electors OF the United
States, in Convention assembled, do present the
following principles, already adopted at Cincin-
natl, as essential to a just government:
l. We recognize the equality of all men before
the law, and held that it is the duty of Govern
ment ia its dealings with the people, to mete out
equal and exact justice to all Of whatever ma
tiylty race, color, or persuasion, religious OF po-
2. We pledge ourselves to maintain the Union
of these States, eman cipation and enfra nchise-
ment, and to oppose any reopenlng OF the CUES,
tiens settled by the thirteenth. fourteenth and
fifteenth amendments Of the Constitution.
8. We demand the immediate and absolute re-
moyal of all disabilities imposed on account of
the rebellion, which was finally subdued seven
years ago, believing that universal amnesty win
result In complete pa eifeation IN all sections OF
the country. Z
4 Local selE-government 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-
t. consistent with public order for the State self
government, and for the nation return to the
methods of peace and the constitutional Hmita-
5. The civil service Of the Government has be-
come a mere instrument OF partisan tyranny and
personal ambition, and an object OF selfish greed.
1t is a scandal and reprOach upon free institu-
tons, and breeds a decentralization dangerous to
the perpetuity OF republican government
9. We therefore regard thorough reform OF
the civil service as one of the most pressing ne
cessities of the hour that honesty, capacity, and
fidelity constitute the only valid claims to public
employment; that the offices Of the Government
cease TO be a matter OF arbitrary favOFitism 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 q can
didate for reelection.
7. We demand system of Federal taxation
which shall not unnecessarily interfere with the
H.
the means necessary to pay the expenses Of the
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 irrecOneilable 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 dietatiOn.
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 anti sailors of the
Republic, and no act of ours shall ever detraet
from their justly earned fame or the full rewards
Of their patriotism.
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 fair and equal terms regarding it alike
dishonorable either 70 demand what is not right
or submit TO what is wrong.
-. 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 af-
iatiOns.