Weekly Trinity journal., 1872-07-06
REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.


it has accepted with grand courage the solemn
duties Of the time. 1t suppressed a gigantic
rebellion; emancipated four million slaves
decreed the equal citizenship of all and estab-
lished universal suffrage. Exhibiting unpara-
lleled magnanimity, it eriminally punished no
man for political olfenses, and warmly well
coined all who proved their loyalty by obeying
the laws and dealing justly with their neigh
bors.
1t has steadily decreased, with firm hand
the resultant disorders Of a great war; and ini-
tiated wise policy towards the Indians. The
Pacific Railroad, and similar vast enterprises,
have been generously aided and success ully
conducted. The public lands are freely given
TO actual settlers immigration is protected,
encouraged, and the fall acknowledgment Of
the naturalized citizens rights has been secur-
ed from European Powers. The national cur
reney has improved in reputation and the na-
tional credit has boon sustained under extra
ordinary bardens, and new bonds have been |
negotiated at lower ratcs. The revenues have /
been carefully collected and honestly applied |
Despite the annual large reductions from the
rates of taxation, the public debt has boen re-
duced during Grants presidency at the rate Of
one hundred million dollars per year A great
financial crisis has been avoided and peace
and plenty prevail throughout the land. Men
acing foreign diliculti,s have been peacefully
and honoraby compromised, and the honor
and power Of the nation has been kept high
throJghou the world. This glorious record Of
the past is tho party's best pledge for the
future We believe the people will not intrdst
the Government to any party or combination
Of men composed Of those who 'chio1y have
resisted every step in this beneficial progress.
SEHND-Complete liberty and exact equal
ity in the enjoyment Of all civil, political and
public ris shts should be established and effect
ually maintained throughout the Union, by
efficient and appropriate State and Federal
legislation. Neither the lazy nor its adlainis-
tration should admit Of any disc limitation in
respect to citizens, by reason Of race, creod |
color, or previous condition Of sorvitudo.
TIIlRD-Th5 recent amendments to the Ma
tional Constitution should be cordially sus-
tanned, because they are right not merely |
tolerated b scause they are law and should be |
carried olt according to their spirit by appro-
prlte legislation, the enforcement Of which
can be safely trusted only to the party that
secured the amendments.
FOUkrH-The National Goyernmontshould
seek to maintain an honorable peace with all
nations, protecting its citizens everywhere and
sympathi4ing with all people who strive for
greater liberty.
FlFIH-Any system Of civil service under
which the Subordinate positions of the Gov
ernment are considered as rewards for mere
is Ilr irf, al
therefore favor a reform of the system by laws
which shall abolishthe evils Of patronage and
make honesty efficiency and fidelity essential
qualiica lor public position, without prac-
ticaly creating life tenure of office.
SIAIH-We are opposed to further grants
Of the pubic lands to corporations and monop-
oli9s, and demand that tho national domain
shall bo set apart for the free uses of the
people.
SEYENTH-Tho annual revenue, after pay
ing the current expenditures, should furnish
moderate balance for the reduction Of the
principal of the debt and revenue, except SO
much as may be raised by duties on TOBACCO
and liquors, ought to be raised by duties on
importations, the scale of which should be so
| adj ustsd as to aid in secaring remuncratiye
wages to laborors and to promote the indus
tries, growth and prosperity of the whole
country.
ElGlTH-We hold in undying honor the
soldiers and sailors whose vaor saved the
Union. Their pensions are a sacred debt of
the nation, and the widows and orphans Of
those who died for their country are entitled
to the care OF the Government and tho graft
tude Of the 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 time
of duty became disabled, without regard to
the length Of their service or the cause of such
discharge.
NINlH-Tho doctrine ofIGreat Britain and
other European Powers concerning allegiance,
% once a subject always II subj ect," having at
last through the efforts Of the Republican
party, been abandoned, and the American idea
OF the right of the individual to transfer his
allegiance having boen accepted by European
nations, it is the duty Of our Government to
guard with jealous care the rights of adopted
citizens against tho assumption of unauthor-
lied claims by their former governments; and
we urge the continued and careful encourage
ment and protection Of voluntary immigration.
TENTH-Ihe franking privilege ought to be
abolished and way prepared for reduction
in the erates Of postage.
ELEYENTH-Among the questions which
press for attention is that which concerns the
relation Of capital and labor, and the Repub-
lican party recognizes the duty of so shaping
legislation as to secure full protection and an
ample field for capital, and for labor, which
creates for capital the largest opportunities,
and a just share Of mutual profits of those two
great servants of civilization.
TWELFTII-We hold that Congress and the
President have only fulfilled an important
ity in their measures for the suppression of
violent and reasonable organizations in GER
tain of the lately rebellious regions and for
the protection of the ballot box and there
fore they are entitled to the thanks of the
nation.
TIIRTEENTI-We denounce reputation
of the public debt in any form or disguise, as
a national crime. We witness with pride the
reduction of the principal of the debt and of
the rates of interest upon the balance, and we
confidently expect that our excellent national
currency will be perfected by the speedy re-
sumption of specie payment.
F0URTEENTH-The Republican party is
mindful of its obligation to the loyal women
of America for their noble devotion to the
cause of freedom. Their admission to useful
ness is received with satisfaction, and the
honest demands of any class of citizens for
additional rights should be treated with re-
spectful consideration.
FIFTEENTII-We heartily approve of the
action OF Congress in relation to the rebelious
States, and rejoice in the growth of peace and
iraternal feeling throughout the land.
SIXTEENTH The Republican party pro-
poses to respect the rights reserved by the
people to themselves as carefully as the powers