The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1872-06-13
Star Spangled Banner"
THE PLATFORM.

SsateS, 0led In NatloDal convention
id the City of Philadelphia. on the 5th
and 9th days of June, 1872, again de
clares its faith, appealsto its history, and
announces its position upon the ques.-
tions before the country:
FIRST During eleven years Of supre.
macy it has accepted with grand courage
the solemn duties of the time 1t sup
pressed gigantic rebellion, emancipated
four millions of slaves, decreed the equal
citizenship of all, and established uni
versal suffrage. Exhibiting unparalleled
maguanimity, it crlminalIy punished no
man for political ofeuese, and warmly
welcomed all who proved their LOYALTY by
obeying the laws and dealing justly with
their neighbors. 1t has steadily decreas
ed, with firm had, the resultant disorders
of great war, and initiated a wise policy
toward the Indians. The Pacific Rail
road and similar vast enterprises have
been generally aided and successfully
conducted the public lands freely given
to actual settlers; immigration protected
and encouraged, and a full acknowledge
ment of the naturalized citizens rights
secured from European powers. A uni.
form 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 the annual large reductions Of
rates Of taxation, the public debt has been
reduced during Gen. Grant presidency at
the rate of 500, 900 900 year A great
financial crisis has been avoided, and
peace aud plenty prevail throughout the
land. MeDacing foreign difficulties have
been peacefully and honorably compromis
ed. and the honor and the power 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. We believe the people will not
intrust the Government to any party or
combination of men composed chiefly OF
those who have resisted every step of this
beneficial progress.
Second: Complete liberty and exact
equality in the enjoyment OF all civil,
political and public rights should be estab
llshed and effectually maintained through
out 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
citizen by reason of race, creed, color, or
previous condition of servitude.
Third: The recent amendments to the
National 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 en-
forcement of which can be safely trusted
only TO the party that secured those
amendments
Fourth: The National Govrnment
should seek to maintain an honorable
peace with all nations, protecting its
citizens everywhere, and sympathizing
with all peoples who strive for greater
liberty.
FVth: Any system Of the Civil Service
under which the subordinate positions OF |
the Governmentarec considered rewards for |
mere party zeal, is fatally demoralizing
and We, therefore, favor a reform of the
system by laws which shall abolish the
evils OF patronage, and make honesty.
efhciency and fidelity the essential quail |
fcations for public position, without
practical lily Creating life-tenure of Office.
Saith: We are opposed TO further
grants of the public lands to corporations
and monoplies, and demand that the pa
tional d pmain be set apart for free homes
for the people
SeUenth: The annual revenues. after
paying the current debts, should furnish
moderate balance for the reduction of the
and the revenue, except so
much as may be derived from a tax on
tobacco and liquors, be raised by duties
upon importations, the duties of which
should be so adjusted as to aid in secur.
ing remuneratiVe wages to labor, aud pro
mote the industries, growth, and pros
perlty of the whole country.
Et9hfh We hold in undyinc honor
the soldiers and sailors whose valor saved
Lne union; their pensions are a sacred
1eot OF the nation, aud the widows and
orphans OF those who died for their coun
Try are entitled to the care of generous
and grateful people. We favor such
additional Legislation as will extend the
,ounty OF the Government to all our sol.
ilers and sailors who were honorably di,
'harged and who in the line of duty be
'ame disabled, without regard to the
ength of service or the cause Of such I
discharge. a
NINTH: The doctrine of Great Britain c
nd other European Powers concerning
iiegiance-"Once a subject always q
uo)ect>- having at last through the efforts a
II the Republican part, been abandoned
nd the American idea of the individual, Q
ight to transfer his allegiance having
,een accepted by European nations, it is t
ne duty of our Government to guard e
nm jealous care the rights of adopted v