New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-06-13
The Republican Platform.

| Inc following was auOpteu Dy the RepuU-
lican Convention at Philadelphia, June 6,
1872:
The Republican p.rty of the United States
assembled in national convention in the city
of Philadelphia on the 5th and 9th days OF
peals to its history, and announces it's posi-
ton upon the questions before the country!
/. During elevenyears of supremacy it has
accepted with grand courage the solemn du-
ties of the times. 1t suppressed a gigantic
rebellion, emancipaed four million of slaves,
decreed the equal citizenship of all, and es-
tablished universal Suffrage. Exhibiting I'M
paralleled magnaniiffty, it criminally pun
ished no man for political Onenses, and
warmly welcomed allwho proved their 10y
atty by obeying the laws and dealing Justly
with their neighbOrs 1t has steadily de-
creased, with firm land, the resultant dis
orders of a great wa, and initiated wise
and humane policy tayards the Indians. The
Pacific railroad and similar vast enterprises
have been generally aided and successfully
conducted, the public lands freely given to
actual settlers, immigration protected and
encouraged and a full acknowledgment of the
naturalized citizens rights secured from Eu-
rOpean powers. A uniform national currency
has been provided, Reputation frowned down,
the national credit sustained under most ex-
traordinary burdens, and new bonds nego-
tiated at lower rates. The revenues have
been carefully collected and honestly applied.
Despite large annual reductions of the rates
of taxation, the public debt has been reduced
during General Grants Presidency at the
rate of one hundred millions a year. Great
financial criseses have been avoided, and
peace and plenty prevail throughout the land.
Menacing foreign difficulties have been peace
fully and hOnorably composed, 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 en-
| trust the Government to any party or COM
bination of men composed chiefly of those who
resisted every step of this beneficial progress.
=. Complete liberty and exact equality in
the enjoyment of all civil, political, and pub
| lie rights should be established and etfectually
maintained throughout the Union by efficient
and appropriate State and Federal legisla-
ton. Neither the law nor its administration
should admit of any discrimination in respect
of citizens by reason of race, creed, color, or
previous condition of servitude.
3. The recent amendments to the National
Constitution should be cordially sustained
| because they are right, not merely tolerated
because they are law, and should be carried
out according to their spirit by appropriate
legislation, the enforcement of which can
safely be entrusted only to the party that
secured those amendments.
4. The National Government should seek
to maintain honorable peace with all nations,
protecting its citizens everywhere and SYM
pathizing with all peoples who strive for
greater liberty.
S. Any system of the civil service under
which the subordinate positions of the Coy
| eminent are considered rewards for mere
| party zeal is fatally demoralizing, and we
therefore favor Il reform of the system by
laws which shall abolish the evils of patron
age and make honesty, efficiency, and fidelity
the essential qualifications for public posi-
ton, with practically creating life tenure
| Of-Oflice.
G. We are opposed to further grants of the
public lands to corporations and monopolles,
| end demand that the national domain be set
apart for free homes for the people.
Z. The annual revenue, after paying the
current debt, should furnish a moderate bal
ance for the reduction of the principal, and
| the revenue, except so much as may be de-
rived from a tax on tobacco and liquors, be
raised by duties upon importation, the duties
of which should be so adjustsd as to aid in
securing remunerative wages to labor, and
promote the growth, industries, and prosper
ity of the whole country.
8. We hold in undying honor the soldiers
and sailors whose valor saved the Union.
Their pensions are sacred debt of the ma
ton, and the widows and orphans of those
who died for their country are entitled to the
care of an additional legislation as will cx-
tend the bounty of the Government to all our
soldiers and sailors Who were honorably dis
charged, and who, the line Of duty, became
disabled, without regard to the length of
service or the cause of such discharge.
9. The doctrine OfGreat Britain and other
European powers concerning allegiance,
''once subject always a subject" having
at last, through the efforts of the Republican
party, been abandoned, and the American
idea of the individuals right to transfer alle-
glance 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 unauthor-
lied claims by their fOmer Governments, and
we urge continued careful encouragement and
protection of voluntary immigration.
10. The franking privilege ought to be
abolished and the wayprepared for a speedy
reduction in the rate oipostage.
IL. Among the quetions which press for
attention is that whichconcerns the relation
Of capital and labor, and the Republican
party recognize the duy of so shaping legis-
latiOn as to secure fill protection and the
ainpleSL lOf capltal, anu IOr laDOr, inc creator
of capital, the largest opportunities and a just
share of the mutual rofits of these two great
servants of Civilization.
y. We hold that Congress and the Presi
dent have only fulfilled an important duty in
their measures for tie suppression of violent
and reasonable organizations in certain
lately rebellious regions and for the protec-
ton of the ballot-b0, and therefore they arc
entitled to the thanls Of the nation.
Is. We denounc. the reputation of tho
: public debt, in any orm Or disguise, as ma
tiOnal crime. We witness with pride the re-
duction of the principal of the debt and of tho
rates of interest upon the balance, and con
fidently expect that our excellent nationa
currency will be Perfected by speedy re
sumption of specie payments.
IA. The Republican party is mindful of its
obligations to the oval women of Americ;
!, for their noble donation to the cause of free
dom. Their admission to the wider fields o
usefulness is viewedwith satisfaction, and thu
honest demands of any class of citizens 70
additional rights should be treated with re
, spectful consideration.
Is. We heartily approve the action of Con
gress in extending amnesty to those lately il
rebellion, and rejoice in the growth of peac
and fraternal feeling throughout the land.
l6. The Republican party proposes to re
spect the rights reserved by the people t.