The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-05-31
THE CINCINNATI PLATFORM.


Greeley and Brown at Cincinnati:
We, the Liberal Republicans of the
United States, in the National Con
vention assembled at Cincinnati, pro-
claim the following principles as es-
sential to a just government:
1st. We recognize the equality of
all men before the law, and hold that
it is the duty of the government in its
dealings with the people to mete out
equal and exact justice to all, of what
ever nationality, race. color or per-
suasion, religious or political.
I'd. We pledge ourselves to main
tain the union of these States, eman-
cipation and enfranehisement, and to
oppose any reopening of the questions
settled by the 18Th, 14th and 10Th
amendments of the Constitution.
81. We demand the immediate and
absolute removal of all disabilities i'm
posed on account of the rebellion,
which was finally subdued seven years
ago, believing that universal amnesty
will result in a complete pacitication
in all sections of the country.
18th. Local seli-government with
impartial suffrage viii guard the
rights of all citizens more securely
than any centralized power. The
public welfare requires the supremacy
of the civil over The military authori-
ty, and freedom, of person under the
protection of the habeas corpus. We
demand for the individuals the largest
liberty consistent with public order
for State sell. government, and Tor the
nation q return to the methods of
peace and the constitutional limitation
of power.
5tt. The civil service of the Gov
ernment has become mere instru-
ment of partisan tyranny and personal
ambition, an object OF selfishness. Ii
is scandal aud reproach upon free
institutions, and breathes demorali-
zation dangerous TO the perpetuity of
a Republican Government We
therefore regard a thorough reform of
the civil service as one OF the most
pressing necessities of the hour; that
honesty, capacity and fidelity consti-
tute the only valid claims To public
employment; that the officers OF the
gov oSerument cease 10 be matter of
arbitrary tavoritisn and patronage
aud that a public station may again
become q post of honor, aud it is i'm
pera;iyely required that no President
shall be candidate ior reelection.
9th. We demand 4 system Of Fed
eral taxation which shall not unneces-
sarily interfere with the industry OF
the people. and which shall provide
the means necessary 10 pay the ex-
penses of the government economical
ly administered. the pensions, the in
terest on the public debt, and mod
crate reduction annually OF the princi-
pal thereof And recognizing that
there are in our midst honest but ire
conciIabie differences OF opinion with
regard TO the respective systems of
protection and free trade, We remit
the discussion of the subject to the
people in their Congressional districts
and to the decision OF Congress there
on, wholly free from executive interior
ence OF dictation.
9TH. The public credit must be
sacredIy maintained, and we denouncc
reputation III every form.
Sth. A speedy return to specie
payments is demanded alike by the
highest consideration of commercial
morality and honest government.
9Th. We remember with gratitude
the heroism and sacrifices OF the sol
dieEs and of the Republic, and no act
of ours shall ever detract from their
justly earned fame or the full records
of their patriotism.
10th. We are opposed to all further
grants OF lands to railroads or other
corporations. The public domain
should be held sacred TO actual set
tiers.
11th. We hold that it is the duty
of the Government III its intercourse
with foreign nations to cultivate their
friendship by treating them on fair
aud equal terms; regarding il alike
dishonorable either TO demand what
is not right or to submit to what is
wrong.
II. For the promotion and success
of these vital principles and the sup
port of the candidates nominated by
Convention, we invite and cordially
welcome the cooperation Of all patri-
otic citizens without regard To pre,i-
Gus political affiliations.
THE ADDRESS.
The Administration now in power
has rendered itself guilty of a wanton
disregard of the laws. 1t has acted
as if laws had binding force only for
those who govern. 1t has thus struck
a blow at the fundamental principles
Of constitutional government and the
liberties OF the citizens. The Presi-
dent Of the United States has openly
used the powers and opportunities Of
his high Office for the promotion of
personal ends. He has kept notori-
ously corrupt and unworthy men in
places of power and responsibility, to
the detriment of the public interest.
He has used the public service of the
Government as machinery for parti
san and personal influence, and inter-
1efed, with tyfannical arrogance, IN
the political affairs of States and mu-
inequalities. He has rewarded, with
influential and lucrative Offices, men
who had acquired his favor by yalua-
BILE presents, thus stimulating the de-
morallzation of our political life by his
conspicuous example. He has shown
himself deplorably unequal to the
tasks imposed upon him by the neces-
sites OF the country, and culpably