Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-07-16
who offered up an opening prayer ).
The Platform

The Platform
Mr.. A. j.. Burr, of Connecticut. chairman,
OF the committee on resolutions, announeeT
that the committee were ready to report. He
asked the clerk to read. in the first place:.tbe
introductory paragraph of the report.
| The clerk read as follows:
The committee on resolutions submit Sfhe
following report:
ave. the democratic electors of the United
States, in convention assembled. do present
the following principles, already adopted Mt
CINCINNATI, as essential to just government"
| TLoud and long continued applause. n
Mr.. Burr. In order that there NAV bs mn
Misrepresentation in regard to the platform r
now ask the clerk to read the entire renort.
The clerk then read the resolutions adonted
| by the Cincinnati convention of liberal re-.
publicans. the reading being frequently inter.
rupted by applause. The platform, as amend
| ed in the preamble, is as follows:
| We, the democratic electors of the United
States, in convention assembled. do present
the following principles, already adopted at
Cincinnati as essential to just government.
First-Werecognize the equality of all men
before the law. and hold that it is the duty of
the government, in its dealings with the PEG.
Pile, to mete out equal and exact jlstice to all,
of whatever nativity, race, color persuasion,
religious or political
Second-We pledge ourselves to maintain
the union of these States, emancipation and
acknowledgements, and to oppose any reopenins
ofthe questions settled by the thirteenth four
teenth and fifteenth amendments of the con.
stitntion.
| Third-We demand the Immediate and
absolute removal of all disabilities imposed on
account Of the rebellion, which was finally
subdued seven years ago, believing that uni
versal amnesty will result in the complete pac
ihcation of all sections of the country.
Fourth-Local elf-government. with i'm.
partial suffrage, will guard the rights of all
citizens more securely than any centralized
power. The public welfare requires the SUI
prcmncv of the civil over the military authori
ty, and the freedom of persons under the pros
lection ct the hnheas corpus We demand
for the 'ndividnalthe largest liberty consistent
with public order for the States self.sovern.
ment and for the nation return to the meth
DDS of peace and the constitutional Limitations
| of mower
Fifth-The civil service of the government
has become mere instrument of partisan
tyranny and personal ambition, and ri object
| OF selfish greed. 1t is a scandal and reproach
| upon our free institutions, aud breeds de-
m"r'l'Zaton dangerous to the perpe,nity of
republican government. We therefore regard
thorough reform of the civil service as one
or the most pressing necessities of the hour
that honesty, capacity and fidelity constitute
the on valid claims to public employment
| that the offices of the government cease m
be a matter of arbitrary favoritism and nat
ronsse. and that nnblic stations hacome aoain
post ct honor. To this end it is imperatiyelv
| required that no President shall be can,
didatc for re.e election
Sixth-We demand system of federal
taxation which shall nrt unnecessarily inter-
fere with the industry of the people, and
shaiI provide means necessary to pav the ex-
pehses OF the government, economically adj
m'nistered, pensions, the interest ON the pnk
lie deb, and moderate reduction. annually
OF the principal thereof, and rerncnizip. that
there are in midst honest. hnt practicable
differences ut opinion with regard to the re-
spective systems of protection and free trade
we remit discussion at the snhjec to the reo-
pie in their congressional districts. and to the
decision of Congress thereon, wholly free of
executive interference dicia.ion
Seventh - The public credit must be sacred
" maintained and we dcnouncc repudiation
in everv form and enisc
Eighth-A. spredv return to- snecie nav.
ments is demanded alike nv the highest con-
siderations of commercial morality and honest
government.
Ninth-Wc remember with gratitude the
heroism and sacrifice of the soldiers and sail.
ors OF the republic, and no act of ours shall
ever dctract from their justly earned fame or
the full reward of their patriotism
Tenth-We are opposed to all further
grants of lands to railroads or other cornora.
tions. The public domain should be held
sacred to actual settlers.
Eleventh-We hold that it is the dntv of
the government, in its intercourse with for
e'sn nations, to cultivate the friendship of
peace by treating with all on fair and equal
terms, regarding it alike dishonorable either
to demand what is not right or to submit to
what is wrong.
Twelfth-For the promotion and success of
these vital principles. and the support of the
candidates nominated BIZ this convention we
invite and cordially welcome the CO one, alton
OF all patriotic citizens, without regard to pre-
vious political afiliation.
After lengthy debate, the platform was
adopted by vote of 67O to 62.
MIR. Ray, of Indiana.-I submit to the
president for the immediate action of this con.
vention the following resolution:
R"soioe0, That this convention do now p-o-
coed to- vote by States for a candidate for
President of rhe United States and a cand..
date for Vice>President of the United States.
(Applause.l
The resolution was seconded
MIR. Cox. of New York; offer the follow
ing amendment to the pending resolution
Resoi0ed, That in casting their votes 70.
President and Vice. President, the chairman
of each delegation shall rise in his place and
name how the delegation votes, and his s,ate-
ment alone shall he considered the vote of such
State. CApplause.]
Mr.. RAY accept the amendment
The convention then proceeded to vote for
candidate for President of the United States
by call of the States, with the following re.
sult.