Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-05-08
The Cincinnati Convention.


Republican State Convention of Missouri,
called the convention to order, and Judge
Stanley Matthews of Ohio, was elected tenn
porary chairman. Senator Schurz was sub
sequently elected permanent chairman, and
the organization was completed with the
usual list Of Vice Presidents and Secretaries.
The delegation from Vermont were John
Landon, Major John \. Salisbury VIM. IL.
uuestes, Jed P. Ladd, Charles Clement,
John B. HOLSTER, lockwood Barrett and
Geo, w. Ballou.
Major Salisbury was placed on the list OF
Vice Presidents, and on the committees Yer
mont was represented as fellows:
Platform-C Charles Clement. Organiza-
tion-John Landon. Credentials-Geo. W.
Ballou. Rules P Ladd.
The first day was occupied with the organ
ization and the appointing of committees.
On Thursday, the committee on platform
reported
The great element Of discord promised to
he the tariff question, or rather Protection
IS. Free Trade, that old and often - picked
bone that has come down from the days of
Wings and Democrats. Bot the ingenious
platform makers, who knew very well that
no plank could be constructed wide enough
I for both wings to stand upon, had the good
sense to say 50, and left a gap over which all
can hop, skip or jump it may suit them
I best But as we wish to deal fairly with
the new party, we will give their platform Of
principles together with the address which
!. "A voice announced As 81 the second De
clarati3n Of independence, in its own
words, and it is not a platform to b % spit
upon whatever may be the impression as
to the necessity for its construction.
THE PLATFORM.
We, the Liberal Republicans ST the United
States in National Convention assembled ar
Cincinnati, proclaim the following principles
as essential To just government
/. We RECON zs the equality Of all men
before the law, and hold that 1t is the duty
Of government in its dealings with the PEG
pie to mete out equal and exact ju-Jicc u
an Of whatever nativity, race, color, OF per
suasion, religious or political.
p We pledge ourselves to maintain the
union of these states, emancipation ana en-
Reinstatement, and to oppose any reopeuin-
81 the questions settled by the Thirteenth.
Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments o.
the Constitution.
8 We demand the immediate and absolute
removal Of all disabilities imposed on ac-
count Of the rebellion, which was finally
subdued seven years ago, believing that uni
vcrsal amnesty will result in complete paci-
fcation in all sections of the country.
I Local self government with impartial
rrrrarI tho RIGHTS NJ "a d
more securely than any centralized power.
The public welfare requires the supremacy
Of the civil over the military authority. and
freedom Of person under the protection oi
the habeas corpus We demand for the m
dividual the largest liberty consistent with
public order: for the State, self government,
and for the nation return to the methods
OF peace and the constitutional limitations
OF power.
s. The civil service Of the government has
become a mere instrument OF partisan tyrau
nv and personal ambition and an object of
selfis1 greed. 1t Is a scandal and reprOach
upon free institutions and breeds a democrat
zltiOn dangerous to the perpetuity of re-
publican government We therefore regard
such thorough reforms of the civil service
one Of the most pressing necessities oil
the hour that honesty, capacity, and tideli-
ty constitute the only valid claim to public
employment that the offices of the govern
ment cease To be a matter of arbitrary favor
itism and patronage, and that public station
become again post of honor. To this end
it is imperatiyely required that no President
shall be d cand ldate for reelection.
6. We demand system of Federal taxa
ton which shall not unnecessarily interfere
with the industry of the people, and which
shall provide the means necessary 10 pay tie
expenses of the government economically
administered, the pensions, the interest on
the public debt and moderate reduction
annuallyof the principal thereof and rccog-
Gzing that there are in our midst oncst but
rreconcllable differences Of opinion with
r, gard to the respective systems of PrOtec-
ton and Free Trade, we remit the discussion
of the subject to the people in their Congress
slonal districts, and TO the decision Of Congress
thereon, wholly free Of executive interior
ence or dictatiOn.
:. The public credit must be sacredly
maintained, and we denounce reputation IN
every form and guse.
3. A speedy return to specie payment is
demanded alike by the highest considerations
of commercial morality and honest govern
Ii ent.
@ We remember with gratitude the hero
ism and sacrifices of the soldiers and sailors
Of the Republic, and no act Of ours shall
or the full reward OF their patriotism.
10. We are opposed to all further grants
of lands to railroads or other corporations.
The public domain should be held sacred to
actual settlers.
IL. We hold that it is the duty of the
government, in It's intercourse with foreign
nations, to cultivate the friendship Of peace,
by treating with all on fair and equal terms,
regarding 1t alike dishonorable either to de-
mand what is not right, or to submit to what
is wrong.
y. For the promotion and success of
these vital principles and the support of the
candidates nominated by this convention, we
invite and Ger tally welcome the cooperation
of all patriotic citizens, without regard to
previous affiliations.
HORACE WHITE.
Chairman of Committee on Resolutions.
q. P. THURsToN, Secretary.
THE ADDRESS.
The administration now in power has
rendered itself guilty of wanton disregard
OF the laws of the land, and usurped powers
not granted by the Constitution. 1t has
for those who are governed, and notIfor those
who govern. 1t has thus struck blow at
the fundamental principles of constitutional
government and the liberty OF the citizen.
The President of the United States has open
ly used the powers and opportunities of his
high Office for the promotion of personal ends.
He has kept VIGOROUSLY corrupt and I'M
worthy men in places of power and respon-