The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-06-18
The Grant OniCe-HOlders Plat.
form.
Adopted at Philadelphia June 6.

repOrleu III nilaQei piila, ny tue olllce-
holders, as d platform for the GRANT
faction of the Radical party:
The Republican party of the United
States, assembled in National Conven-
ton in the city of Philadelphia on the
9th and 9th days of June, 1872, again
declares its faith, appeals to its history.
and announces its position upon ques-
tions before the country.
l. During eleven years supremacy it
has accepted with grand courage the
solemn duties of the time. 1t suppress
ed gigantic rebellion, emancipated
four millions of slaves, decreed the
equal citizenship of all, and established
universal suffrage, Exhibiting unpar-
alleled magnanimity, it criminally pun
ished no man for political ofenses, and
warmly welcomed all who proved their
loyalty by obeying the laws and dealing
justly with their neighbors. 1t has
steadily decreased with firm hand re-
suItant disorders of the great war, and
initiated wise policy toward the Indi-
ans. The Pacific Railroad and similar
vast enterprises have been generally
aided and successfully conducted, the
public lands freely given to actual set
tiers, immigration protected and encour
aged, and full acknowledgment of nat
| uralized citizens rights secured from
European Powers. A uniform National
currency has been provided, reputation
frowned down, the National credit sus-.
tained under the. most extraordinary
burdens, and new bonds negotiated at
lower rates. The revenues have been
carefully collected, ana honestly applied.
Despite the annual large reductions of
rates of taxation, the public debt has
been reduced during General Grants
Presidency at the rate of Sl00,O00,000
a year. A great financial crisis has
been arrested, and peace and plenty pre-
vail throughout the land. Menacing
4 foreign difficulties have been peacefully
and honorahly compromised, and the
| honor and power of the Nation kept in
high respect throughout the world. This
! glorious record of the past is the party's
! best pledge for the future. We believe
| the people will not intrust the Govern
tment to. any party or combination of
men composed chiefly of those who
| have resisted every step Of this beneficial
progress. s. ..a..- sr ... ..
| 2 Complete liberty and exact equal
ty in the enjoyment of all civil, polit-
ical and public rights, should he estab
lished and etfectually maintained
throughout the Union by efficient and
appropriate State and Federal legisla-
ton. Neither law nor its a6ministra.
ton should admit of any discrimination
in respect to citizens, by reason of race,
4 color, or previous condition of servi.
tude.
3. The recent amendments to the Ma
, tional Constitution should be cordially
sustained, because they are right-not
merely tolerated because they are law
and should be carried ont according to
their spirit by appropriate legislation,
| the enforcement of which can be safely
trusted only to the part that secured
those amendments. y
f. The National Government should
seek to maintain an honorable peace
with all nations, protecting its citizens
everywhere, and sympathizing with all
} peoples who strive for greater liberty.
| 5. Any system of civil service under
f which sub ordinate positions of the
! Government are considered rewards for
lmere party zeal is fatally demoralizing !;
! and we therefore favor reform of the
| system by laws which shall abolish the
evils of patronage, and make honesty,
l efficiency, and fidelity essential qualifca-
| tons for public position, without prac.
tically creating life tenure of office.
| 6. We are opposed to further grants
Iof public lands to corporations and
monopolies, and demand that the Ma
itional domain be set apart for free
lhomes for the people a..
! Z. The annual revenues after paying
current debts, shall furnish a moderate
balance for the reduction of the princi-
pal, and the revenue, except SO much as
may be derived from tax on tobacco
and liquors, be raised by duties on i'm
portations, the duties on which should
be so adjusted as to aid in securing re-
munerative wages to labor, and pro-
mote industries, and the growth and
prosperity of the whole country.
! s. We hold III undying honor the
soldiers and sailors, whose valor saved
the Union. Their pensions are a sa-
cred debt of the nation; and the wild.
ows and orphans of those who died for
their country are entitled to the care of
generous and grateful people. We
favor such additional legislation as will
: extend the bounty of the Government
: to all our soldiers and sailors who were
honorably discharged, and who, in the
line of duty, becaihe disabled, without
: regard to length OF service or cause of
| such discharge. aA .'a3sq
4 8. The doctrine of Great Britain and
! other European powers concerning ale
giance--"once subject, ALWAYS asub-
: ject"-having at last, through the eff.
: forts of the Republican party, been
, abandoned and the American idea of an
q individuals right to transfer his allegi-
!, ance having been accepted by European
!, nations, it is the duty of our Govern
r ment to guard, with jealous care, the
rights of adopted citizens against the
i assumption of unauthorized claims by
q their former Government; and we urge
n continual and careful encouragement
and protection TO voluntary immigra
ton. :atI ga
J., TO- The frankins privilege ought to
q be abolished, and the way prepared fol
:, a speedy reduction in rates of postage
H. Among the questions which press
for attention is that which concerns the
= relations of capital and labor; and the
), Republican party recognize the duty OF
!. !, SO shaping legislation as to secure full
protection and the amplest field for cap
itai; and for labor. the creator of capi
= tai the largest opportunities, and a just
share Of the mutual profits of these two
10 great servants of civilization. . Ill .a.
u We hold that Coprrncc md tht