Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1872-07-24
The National Republican Platform.

The RepuDl1can party OF bne united
States, assembled in National Conven-
tion in the city of Philadelphia, onthe
5th and 9th days of June, 1872, again
declares its faith, appeals to its his
tory, and denounces its position upon
the questions before the country.
First-During eleven years of supre-
macy it has accepted, with grand cour-
age. the solemn issues of the time.
It suppressed q gigantic rebellion,
emancipated four millions of slaves,
decreed the equal citizenship of all,
and established universal suferage.
Exhibiting unparalleled magnanimi
ty, it criminally punished no man for
political offenses, aud warmly welcom-
ed all who proved their loyalty by
obeying the laws and dealing justly
with their neighbors.
It has steadily decreased, with firm
hand the resultant disorders of the
great wal, and initiated q wise policy
toward the Indians.
The Pacific Railroad and similar vast
enterprises have been generously aid
ed and successfully conducted.
The public lands have ueen freely
given to actual settlers, Immigration
has been protected and encouraged,
and full acknowledgement to natural
lied citizens of their rights have been
secured from European powers;
A uniform national currency has
been provided, reputation frowned
down, the national credit has been sus-
tained under the most extraordinary
burdens, and new bonds negotiated
under 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 Gen. Grants
Presidency at the rate of one hundred
million dollars yearly;
A great financial cries has been
avoided, and peace and plenty prevail
throughout;
Menacing foreign difficulties have
been peacefully and honorably com
promised, and the honor and power of
the nation have been 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 entrust
the Government to any party or COM
binatiOn Of men composed of those
who chiefly have resisted every step of
this beneficial progress.
Second-Completed liberty and ex-
act equality IN the enjoyment of all
civil, political, and public rights should
be established and effectually maintain
ed throughout the Union by efficient
and appropriate State and Federal leg
1c1o hn low re n
ministration should admit of any dis
elimination in respect to citizens by
reason of race, creed, color, or prev1-
Gus condition of servltude.
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 enforcement of which
can be safely trusted only to the party
| that secured these amendments.
Fourth-The National Government
should seek to maintain honorable
peace with all nations, protecting It's
citizens everywhere, and sympath1zine
with all people who strive for greater
| liberty.
Fifth-Any system of civil service
under which the subordinate positions
of the Government are considered re
wards for mere party zeal, is fatally
demoralizing, and we therefore favor q
reform of the system by laws which
shall abolish the evils of patronage and
make honesty, efficiency and fidelity
essential qualification for public posi-
tion without practically creating life
| tenure of Office.
Sixth-We are opposed to further
grants of public lands to corporations
and monopolies, and demand that the
national domain be set apart for free
homes for the people.
| Seventh-The annual revenue, after
paying the current debt, should fur
nish moderate balance for the reduc
tion of the principal, and the revenue
except so much as may be derived from
a tax on tobacco and liquors, should
/ be raised by duties on impOrtatlOns
the duties of which should be so ad
| iusted as to aid in securing remunera
tive wages to laborers, and promote
the industries, growth, and prosperity
of the whole country.
El9hth-We hold IN undying honor
the soldiers and sailors whose valol
saved the Union. Their pensions are
a sacred debt of the nation, and the
widows and orphans of those who dice
for their country are entitled to the
care OF a generous and grateful people
We favor such additional legislation as
will extend the bounty of the Govern
ment to all our soldiers and sailors who
were honorably discharged, and whom
III time of duty became disabled, with
out regard to the length of service OF
cause OF such discharge.
Ninth-Ihe doctrine of Great Britain