The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-05-11
The Cincinnati Convention.
ADDRESS OF cop1trrra ON PLATFORM.

The Cincinnati Convention.
ADDRESS OF coNNlrrgs on PLATFORM.
The Administration now IN power has rem
dered itself guilty Of wantpn disregard OF tho
laws Of the laud and Of usurpaiion Of power
not granted by the Constitution. IL has acted
asif Tie lave had buding force only for those
who arc governed, aud not for those wht
govern. lthas thus struck blow at the funda
mental principles Of constitutional government
and the liberties Of citizens. 1he resident o
the United states has upeny used the power,
and opportunities Of his high Office for the pro
motion Of personal ends. lie has kept notori
pusly corrupt and unworthy men 10 places o
power and responsibility to the deteriment o
the public interests.
He has used the public service Of the Gov
eminent as machinery Of partisan and personal
influence, and interferod with tyrannical ar
rogauee 10 the political affairs 81 states ant
municipalities. lie hasrewarded with in0uen.
tial and lucrative Offices men who had acqu ired
his favor by valuable presents, thus stimulating
demoral. zation o! our political life By his
conspicuous example. lie has shown himself
deplot ably unequal to the tasks imposed upon
him by the necessities OF the country, aHt
culpably careless Of the responsibilities Of his
high Off e.
The pArtisans Of the Administration, assum.
ing 10 be the Republican party, and controlling
It's organization, have attempted 10 iustify
such wrongs, and palliate such abuses, TO the
end Of maintaining partisan aseeudency.
They have stood in the way OF necessary in
vestiEatious and indispensable reforms, pre-
tending that no serious fault could be found
wi the present administration Of public az
fairs, thus seeking to blind the eyes Of the
people. They have kept alive the passions and
resentments OF the late civil war, 20 use them
20 their own advantage. They have resorted
To arbitrary measures, 10 direct conflict with
the organic law, instead OF appealing 10 the
better Instincts and latent patriotism Of the
southern people, By restoring to them those
rights, the enjoyment OF which is Indispensable
to successful administration OF their local
affairs and would tend To promote a patriotic
and hopeful national feeling. They have de.
graded themselves aud the name Of their party
once justly entitled to tho confidence Of the
nation. by base sycophancy 10 the dispenser
OF Executive power aud patronage, unworthy
Of Republican lreemen. They have sought 10
stiHe the voice Of just criticism, n sutc thu
moral sense Of the people and to subjugste
public opinion by tyrabnical party discipline.
They are striving 10 maintain themselves in
authority for selfish ends by an Inscriptions
use Of power which righuully belongs to the
people, and should be employed only Ia the
service Of the country,
Believing that an organization thus led and
controlled can no longer be Of service 10 the
best interests Of the Republic, We have received
to make an independent appeal 70 the sober
Judgment, conscience aud patriotism Of III e
American people.
TnE PLATFORM,
We, the Liberal Republicans Of the United
States, 10 National Convention assembled at
Cincinnati. proclaim the following principles
as essential 10 just Government
First-Nc recognize the equality Of all men
before the law, aud hold that II IS the duty OF
the Government in It's dealings With the people
to mttc out equal aud exact justice TO all Of
whatever nativity, race, color OF persuasion,
religious or political
Second-We pledge ourselves to maintain
the Union OF these states, emancipation aud
cnirancbisemeHt, and to oppose any reopon;ng
OF the questions settled by the Thirteenth ,
Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments Of the
Constitution.
Third-We demand the immediate aud alb
solutc removal Of all disabilities imposed on
account OF the rebellion, which was finally
Hubducd seven years ago, believing that uai-
versal amnesty will result 10 the complete pa
cilcation OF all sections OF the couutry.
Fourth-Loeal selEgovcrnment with Impair
ual suffrage, will guard the rights Of all eiti-
zens more securely than any cent? Allied power.
The public welfare requires the supremacy OF
the civil over the military authority, aud the
habens corpus We demand for the individual
the largest liberty consistent with public order,
for the states sell-goyrrnment and tor the
nation a return to the methods OF peace, and
the constitutional limitation OF power.
Fiiib-The civil service OF the Government
has become u mere instrument OF partisan
tyranny and personal abolition, and an object
Of selfish greed. 1t is a scandal and reproach
upon our Tree Institutions, aud breeds a de-
moralization dangerous 10 the perpeiuity OF
republican government. We, therefore, re-
gard thorough reform Of tbs civil service as
one ofthe most pressing necessities nf tht hour
that honesty capacity and ddelity constitute the
only valid claims to public employment; that
the officers Of the Government cease to be a
matter Of arbitrary favoritsm and patronage,
aud that public stations become again posts OF
honor. To this end 1t is imperauyely required
that no President shall be candidate Tor re-
election.
Sixth--We demand a system Of Federal tax
alton which shall not unnecessarily interfere
with the industry nf the people, aud which
snail provide means necessary to pay the eX-
penses o. the Government, economically ad-
lninistered. pensions, the interest on the pub
lie debt and a moderate reduction annually OF
the principal thereof, aud recognizing that
there are in our midst, honest, bat irreconeil-
able differences Of opinion with regard 10 the
respecton and free trade, we remit discussion
- f"N aNSlNNh w Aht ptpplt ~ Altlt bun-
gressional districts, and to the decision Of Con-
gress thereon, wholly free OF Executive int :
ference or diotaton
Seventh-rhe public credit must be sacredly
maintained, and we dcnounce reputation in
every form and guise
Eighth-A speedy return to specie pay tnents
is demanded alike by the highest considera-
tons OF commercial mortality and honest gov
eminent.
Ntnth-We remember with gratitude the
herOism and sacrifices OF the soldiers and sailors
OF the Republic, and no act OF ours shall ever
detraet from their justly earned fame or the
iail reward 81 their patriotism.
Ienth-We are opposed to all further grants
OF lands or railroads or other corporations
The public domain should be held sacred to
actual settlers
Eleventh-We hold that IL is the duty Of the
Government in It's intercourse with foreign
nations 10 cultivate tho friendship of peace
by treating with all on fair aud equal terms
regarding il alike dishonorable either 10 de-
mand what is not right, or to submit to what
Is wrong.
Twuliih-For the promotion and success of
these vital principles, and the support OF the
candidates nominated by this Convention, we
invite and cordially welcome the cooperation
OF all patriotic citizens without regard to pre-
vious political affiliations.
The Voice Of the Press.
We publish, to-day, number OF ex