The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-09-28

Liberal Republican F1at1oTm.
Address and Declaration Of Principles
Adopted BY the Convention Of Liberal
Republicans in Cincinnati, May 3rd,
1872.
THE ADDRESS.
The administration now in power has rend-
cred itself guilty of want0n disregard of the
laws of the land, and has usurped powers
not granted by the Constitution. 1t has
acted as if the laws had binding force only
for those who are governed, and motion those
who govern. 1t has thus struck a blow at
the fundamental principles of constitutional
government and the liberties of the 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 III places ef power and re-
spOnsibility. to the detri1nent OF the public
interest. He has used the public service of
the Government as machinery OF partisan
and personal influence, and interfered with
tyrannical arrogance in the political affairs
OF States and municipalities. He has re-
warted with influential and lucrative offices
men who had acquired his favor by valuable
presents, thus stimulating decentralization of
our political life by his conspicuous example.
He has shown himself deplOrably unequal to
the tasks imposed upon him by the necessi-
ties of the country, and eulpably careless of
responsibilities Of his high office.
The partisans Of the administration, as
Stunning to be the Republican party and con-
trolling its organization, have attempted to
justify such wrongs and palliate such abuses,
to the end Of maintaining party ascendancy.
They have stood in the way of necessary in
yestigations and indispensable reforms, pre-
tending that 10 serious fault could be found
with the present administration Of public
atf,tirs, thus seeking to blind the eyes of the
people. They have kept alive the passions
and resentments OF the late civil war to use
them for their own advantage. They have
resortetl to arbitrary measures III direct con-
flict with the organic law, instead OF appeal
ing to the better instincts and latent patriot
ism Of the Southern people by restoring to
them those rights the enjoyment of which is
Indispensable for successful administration
OF their local affairs, and would tend to move
. patriotic and hopeful national feeling.
They have degraded themselves and the
name OF their party, once justly entitled to
the confidence ct the natioIl by u base syco-
phancy to the dispenser of executive power
and patronage unworthy Of Republican free
men. They sought to stife the Voice of Just
criticism, to stit1e the moral sense Of the peo-
pie, and to subjugate public opinion by
tyzannical party discipline. They are striv
ing to maintain themselves in authority for
selfish ends by an INSCRIPTIONS use Of the
power which rightfully belongs to the people,
and should be employed 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 re-
solved to make an independent appeal to the
sober Judgment, conscience and patriotism
of the American people.
r,rr nrc, ~, ,rrox ar ,,p,xc,,,ps
-, VI LIS
Therefore. we. the Liberal Republicans of
the United States, i'll National Convention
assembled at Cincinnati. proclaim the fol-
lowing principles us essential to just Govern
ment;
/: we recognize the equality OF all men
before tile law. and hold that it is the duty
OF Government III its dealings with the peo
Pie to mete out equal and exact Justice to all,
OF whatever nativity, race, color, or persua-
sion, religious or political.
we pledge ourselves to maintain the
unnon o. these states, emancipation and en-
reimbursement. and to oppose any reopening
OF the questions settled by the Thirteenth,
Fourteenth amt Fifteenth amendments to
the ConstIt1ltion.
.. we demand the immediate and abso-
lutte removal OF az disabilities imposed onac-