Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-06-12
The Republican Platform.

The Republican party of the United
States assembled i'm National convention
in the city of Philadelphia on the 5th and
9Th day of June, 1872, again declares its
faith and appeals to its history, and an
nounces It's position upon questions be-
fore thecountry.
First-During eleven years. supremacy
1t has accepted with grand courage the
solemn duties of the time. 1t has sun
pressed q gigantic rebellion, emancipated
four million of slaves, decreed the equal
citizenship of all, and established univer-
sal suffrage. Exhibiting unparalleled mag
nanimity, 1t criminally punished no man
for political ofienses, and warmly well
come all who proved their loyalty by obey
ing the laws and dealing Justly with their
neighbors. 1t has steadily decreased with
firm hand the resultant disorders of the
great war, and initiated wise policy
toward the Indians. The Pacific railroad
and similar vast enterprises have been
generally aided and successfully conduct
ed, the public lands freely given to actual
settlers, immigration protected and en-
couraged, and a full acknowledgment of
the rights of naturalized citizens secured
rom European powers. A uniform ma
tional currency has been provided, repu-
diation frowned down, the national credit
sustained under the most extraordinary
burdens and new bonds negotiated at low
er rates. The revenues have been careful
ly collected and honestly applied. De-
spite the annual large reductions of rates
of taxation, the public debt has been re-
duced during Gen. Grants Presidency at
the rate of one hundred million dollars n
year. A great financial crisis has been
averted, and peace and plenty prevail
throughout the land. Menacing foreign
difficulties have been peacefully and hon
orably compromised, and the honor and
power of the nation kept in high respect
throughout the world This glorious rec
ord of the past is the party's best pledge
OF the future. We believe that the people
will not intrust the Government to any
party or combination of men composed
chiefly of those who have resisted every
step of this beneficial progress.
Sccond-Complete liberty and exact
equality in the enjoyment of all civil, po-
litical and public rights should be estab-
lished and etiectually maintained through
out the Union by efficient and appropriate
State and Federal legislation. Neither the
law nor its administration should admit of
any discrimination in respect to citizens
by reason of race, creed, color, or previous
condition Of servitude %
Third-The recent amendments to the
National Constitution should be cordially
sustained because they are ri s,ht, not mere
iy tolerated because they are law and
should be carried out according to the spir-
it, by appropriate legislation, the enforce
ment of which can be safely trusted only
to the party that secured those amend
mcnts.
Fourth - The National Government
should seek to maintain an honorable
peace with all nations, protecting its citi-
Zens everywhere, and sympathize with all
peoples who are striving for greater lib
erty.
Fifth-Any system of civil service un-
der which the subordinate positions of the
mere party zeal is fatally demOraliZing;
and we therefore favor a reform of the sys-
tenn by laws which shall abolish the evils
of patronage, and make honesty, efli-
cheney and fidelity essential qualifications
for public position, without practically
creating a life tenure of office.
Sixth-We are opposed to further grants
of public lands to public corporations and
monopolies, and demand that the national
domain be set apart for free homes for the
people.
Seventh-The annual revenues, after
paying current debts, should fur
nish a moderate balance for the reduction
of the principal of the public debt; and
the revenue, except so much as may be de- |
rived from tax on tobacco and liquors,
should be raised by duties on importa-
tions, the duties of which should be so ad-
justed as to aid in securing remunerative
wages to labor and promote the industries
growth, and prosperity of the whole coun- |
try.
Eighth-We hold in undying honor the
soldiers and sailors whose valor saved the |
Union. Their pensions are sacred debt !
of the nation and the widows and or
phans of those who died for their country
are entitled to the care of grateful and |
generous people. We favor such addition !
al 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, became dis |
abled, without regard to the length of SER |
vice or the cause of such discharge.
Ninth-The doctrine of GIeat Britain |
and other European powers concerning al |
legiance, once subject always a sub !
ject," having, at last, through the efforts |
of the Republican party, been abandoned, |
and the American idea of an individuals |
right to transfer his allegiance having |
been accepted by European nations, it is |
the duty of our Government to guard with !
jealous care the rights of adopted citizens |
against the assumption of unauthorized |
claims by their former Government; and |
we urge the continued and careful encour- |
agemcnt and protection of voluntary inn
migration.
Tenth-The franking privilege ought 10
be abolished, and the way prepared for
a speedy reduction in the rates of postage.
Eleventh-Among the questions which
press for attention is that which concerns
the relations of capital and labor and the
Republican party recognize 4he duty of so
legislation as TO secure tho full
projection and amplest field for capital,
r.. I,IA fhD tor - Pal hn