Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-07-16
The RALTIno Dl;i PE ].

We, the Democratic electors of the United
states, In Convention assembled, do present the
following principles, already adopted at Cincin-
matt, as essential TO a just government:
y, We recognize the equality Of all men before
the law. and hold that il is the duty of Govern
ment, In Its dealings with tho people, to mete out
eanal and exact Justice to all of NhateEer mar
tgty race, color, or persuasion, religious po--
2. We pledge ourselves to raafntaln lie Union
Of these States Emancipation aud enffe nchise-
ment, and to oppose any reopening OF the ques-
tons settled by the thirteenth. fourteenth and
fifteenth amendments of the Constitution. -
-, We demand. the immediate and absolute re-
nloval Of all disabilities imposed on account OF
the rebellion, which was finally snbdued seven
years ago, believing that universal amnesty will
result in complete pa cifcation in all sections Of
/ "A. Local self.government with impartial suf-
frage viii guard the right: of all citizens more
securely than any centralized power. The public
welfare requires the supremacy of the civil over
the military authority, and the freedom of per
son under the protection Of the habeass corpus.
| We demand for the individual the largest hber-
ty consistent with public order, for the State self
government, and for tue nation a return to the
methods OF peace and the constitutional nmita-
tons of power. E94
/, Is. The civil service of the Government has be-
come mere instrument of partisan tyranny and
personal ambition, and anobject OF selfish greed
IL is scandal and reproach upon free .insttu-
tipns, and breeds decentralization dangerous to
the perpetuity of republican government.
4 g. We therefore regard a. thorough reform of
the civil service as one OF the most pressing
cessities of the hour; that honesty capacity, and
fidelity constitute the only valid claims to public
employment: that the offices of the Government
cease TO be matter Of arbitrary favorltism and
Patronage, and that public station shall become
again place of honor. To this end it Is impera-
lively required that no President shah be can
didate for reelection.
Ia. We demand a system of Federal taxation
which shall not unnecessarily interfere with The
Industry of the people, and which shall provide
the means necessary TO nav the EXERCISES of the
Government, economically administered, the
pensions, the interest on the public debt, and a
moderate annual reduction of the principal
thereof; and recognizing that there are in our
midst honest and hreconcilable differences Of
opinion with regard to the respective systems of
Protection and Free Trade, we remit the discus
| sion of the subject to the people in their Con-
gressional Districts, and the decision of Congress
thereon, wholly free from Executive interference
8. The public credit must be sacrediy mains
tanned, and we denounce rep1diatiOn in every
form and guise.
.sAspef dy return to specie payments Is de-
manded alike by the highest considerations of
commercial morality and honest government.
10. Weremember with gratitude the heroism
and sacrifices of the soldiers and sailors of the
Republic, and no act OF ours shall ever detract
from their justly earned fame or the full rewards
of their patriotism. .iisLfl1 ei1 30
IL We are opposed to all further grants of land
to railroads or other corporations. The public
domains should be held sacred TO actual settlers
L. We hold that it is the duty of the Govern
ment in its intercourse with foreign nations to
cultivate the friendship. of peace, by treat ng
with all on fair and equal terms, regarding 1t alike
dishonorable either 70 demand what is not light
or submit to what is wrong. Z f-s.ra f.f.-7
13. For the promotion and success Of these
vital principles and the support of the candidates
nominated by this convention, we invite and cor
daily welcome the corporation of all patriotic
citizens, without regard to previous political ath-
iations.