Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1872-06-12
The Platform Adopted by the Republican
National Convention Held at Philadei.
phia June 9th and 9Th, 1872.


The Republican party of the United
States assembled in National Convention
in the city of Philadelphia. on the 5tl
and 9Th days of June, 1872, again de
clares its faith, appeals to its history, anC
announces its position upon the question:
before the country
During eleven years of supremacy il
has accepted with grand courage the sol
emn duties of the times. 1t suppressed
a gigantic rebellion, emancipated foul
millions of slaves, decreed the equal cti
zenshp Of all, and established universal
suffrage Exhibiting unparalleled mag
nanimity, it criminally punished no man
for Political otlenses. and warmly wei
coined all who proved loyal by obeying
the laws and dealing justly with theil
neighbors. 1t has steadily decreased
with firm hand the resultant disorders oI
great war, and initiated wise and hu
Inaue policy towards the Indians. The
i Pacific Railroad, and similar vast enter
prises. have been generally aided and
sn..-~-1-tl,- ----.-s-.ss-a the pupiic lands
! freely given TO actual settlers immigra
ton protected and encouraged, ana full
acknowledgment Of the naturalized citi
zens' rights secured from European
powers. \ uniform national currency
has been provided, Reputation frowned
down, the national credit sustained under
most extraordinary burdens, and new
bonds negotiated at lower rates. The
revenues have been carefully collected
and honestly applied; despite annual
large reductions of the rates OF taxation
the public debt has been reduced during
General Grants Presidency at the rate
Of a hundred millions a year; great tinan
cial crises Lave been avoided, and peace
and plenty prevails throughout the
land. Menacing foreign dificultin, have
been peacefully and honorably composed
and the honor and pow er of the nation
kept in high respect throughout the
world
This glorious record Of the past is the
party's best pledge for the future ",
believe the people will not entrust the
Government to any party Or combination
Of men compnsad chiefly of thoec who
have resisted every step of this beneficial
progress.
l. Complete liberty aud exact equality
in the enjoyment Of all civil po itical
and public rights should be established
and effectually maintained throughout
the Union by efficient and appropriate
State and Federal Legislation. Neither
the law nor its administration should ad-
nit of any discrimination in respect OF
citizens, by reason of race, creed, color
or previous condition of servtude.
2. The recent amendments 90 the Ma.
tional Constitution should be cordially
sustained, because they are right, not
merely tolerated, because they are law,
and should be carried out according to
their spirit by appropriate Legislation,
the enforcement of which can safely be
entrusted only to the party that secured
| those amendments.
3 The National Government should
seek to maintain honorable peace with
all nations. protecting its citizens every
where, and sympathizing with all peoples
who strive for greater liberty.
A. Any system of the civil service
under which the subordiate positions of
the Government are considered, rewards
for mere party zeal is fatally dcmoral-
izing; and we therefore favor reform
Of the system by laws which shall abol
ish the evils Of patronage, and make hon
esty, efficiency, and fidelity the essential
qualifications for public positions, without
practically creating life tenure of office.
.. We are opposed to further grants of
public lands TO corporations and monop
olies. and demand that the national do
main be set apart for free homes for the
people.
6 The annual revenue, after paying
current expenditures, pensions, and the
interest on the public debt, should fur
ni-h moderate balance for the reduction
of the principal. and the revenue, except
so much as may be derived from tax
upon tobaccos and liquors, be raised by
duties upon importations, the duties of
which should be so adjusted as to aid in
securing remunerative wages for labor.
and promote the industries, growth, and
prosperity of the whole country.
7. We hold in nndying honor the sol
diers and sailors whose valor saved the
Union. Their pensions are sacred debt
of the nation and the widows and or
phans of those who died for their coun-
try are entitled to the care Of a generous
and grateful people. We favor such ad-
ditional legislation as will extend the
bounty of the Government TO all orr sol
diers and sailors who were honorably dis
charged, and who, in the line of duty.
became disabled, without regard to the
length Of service or the cause of such
discharge.
S. The doctrine Of Great Britain and