The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-05-11
Liberal Republican Platform.
Address and Declaration of Principles
Adopted BY the Convention of Liberal
Republicans IN Cincinnati, May Ord,
1872.

Pooiioons Ia CinC1uHatd, May ofuI
1872.
| THE ADDRESS
The administration now in power has rend-
| cred itself guilty of wanton disregard of the
| laws OF the land, and has usurped powers
not granted by the Constitution 1t has
acted as if the laws had binding force only
Tor those who are governed and not for those
VINO govern 1t has thus struck a blow Mt
the fundamental principles of constitutional
government, and the liberties of the citizens.
The President of the United States has
openly used the powers and opportunities of
ms hlgn once for the promotion of personal
unworthy men in places Of power and re-
sponsiolllty, to the detriment of the public
interest. He has used the public service of
the Government as machinery of partisan
and personal influence, and interfered with
tyrailiical arrogance in the political affairs
OF States and municipalities. He has re-
warded with influential and lucrative offices
men who had acquired lis favor BIZ valuable
presents, thus stimulating generalization of
our pol1leal hfe by his conspicuous example.
He has shown himself deplorab bly, UNEQUAL to
the tasks imposed upon him by the neeessi-
tles OF the country, and oulpably careless of
the responsibilities of his high Office
Inc partlsans OF the administration, as
Stunning to be the Republican party and con
trolling its organization have attempted to
justify such wrongs and palliate such abuses,
to the end OF maintaining party ascendancy
1hey nave stood in the way of necessary in
designations and Indispensable reforms, pre-
tending that no serious fault could be found
with the present administration of public
affairs, thus seeking to blind the eyes of tho
people They have kept alive the passions
and resentments of the late civil war to use
them for their own advantage. They have
resorted to arbitrary measures, in direct con-
Hict with the organic law, instead of appeal
ing to the better instincts and latent patriot
ism OF the Southern people by restoring to
them those rights the enjoyment of which is
indispensable for successful administration
OF their local affairs, and would tend to move
q patriotic and hopeful national feeling.
They have degraded themselves and the
name OF Their party, once justly entitled to
the confidence of the nation, by q base syco-
phancy to the dispenser of executive power
and patronage unworthy of Republican free
men. They sought to stihe the voice of Just
criticism, to stif1e the moral sense of the PEG,
pie, and to subjugate public opinion by
tyrannieal party discipline. They are striy-
ing to maintain themselves in authority for
selfish ends by an unscrupulous use OF the
power which rightfully belongs to the people,
and should be employed only in the service
of the country.
Believing that an organization thus led and
controlled can no longer be of service to the
best interests of the republic, we have re-
solved to make an independent appeal to the
sober judgment, conscience, and patriotism
OF the American people
TIE DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
Therefore. We, the Liberal Republicans of
the United States, in National Convention
assembled at Cincinnati, proclaim the fol-
lowing principles as essential to just Govern
ment:
l. We recognize the equality of all men
before the law, and hold that it is the duty
OF Government in its dealings with the peo
pie to mete out equal and exact Justice to all,
of whatever nativity, race, color, or persua-
sion, religious OF political.
2. We pledge ourselves to maintain the
Union of these States, emancipation, and en-
and to oppose any reopening
of the questions settled by the Thirteenth,
Fourteenth, and Fifteenth amendments to
the Constitution.
3. We demand the immediate and abso-
lutte removal of all disabilities supposed on ac-
count of the rebellion which was finally sub
dued seven years ago, believing that uni
yersal amnesty will result in complete paei-
iication in all sections of the country
4. Local selfgoyernmcnt, with impartial
suffrage, will guard the rights of all citizens
more securely than any centralized power.
The public welfare requires the supremacy
w
freedom of person under the protection of
the habcas corpus. We demand for the in
dividual the largest liberty consistent with
public order, for the State selfgoyernment,
and for the nation a return to the methods of
peace and the constitutional limitations of
power.
s. The civil serviee of the Government has
become a mere instrument of partisan tyr
amy and personal ambition, and an object
Of selfish greed. It is scandal and reproaeh
upon free institutions and breeds demoral-
ization dangerous TO the perpetuityo of repub-
lican government. Wetherefore regard such
thorough reforms of civil service as are of
the most pressing necessities of the hour;
that honesty, capacity, and fidelity eensti-
tute the only valid claims to public employ
ment; that the Offices of the Government
cease to be a matter of arbitrary fayoritism
and patronage, and that public station be-
come again a post of honor. 70 this end it
is imperatively required that no President
shall be a candidate for reelection.
3. We demand system of Federal tag
alton which shall not unnecessarily inter
fcre with the industry of the people, and
which shall provide the means necessary to
pay the expenses of the Government, econo-
mically administered the pensions, the in
terest on the public debt, and moderate re-
inetion annually of the principal thereof;
md, recognizing that there are in our midst
iUHSSA pub QllltftuCcS OI OD1Il-
ons with regard to the respective systems of
protection and free trade, We remit the dis
mission of the subject TO the people, in their
districts, and to the decision
Of Congress thereon, wholly free of Execu-
i've interference or dietati0n.
Z. The public credit must be saeredlv
maintained, and we denounee reputation in
every form and guise.
8. A steady return to specie payment is
demanded alike by che highest considera-
ions of commercial morality and honest
9. We remember with gratitude the hero
SIN and sacrifices of the soldiers and sailors
II the repNblie, and no act of ours shall ever
letraet from their justly earned fame, or the
ull reward of their patriotism.
10. We are opposed to all further grants of
ands TO railroads or other corporations.
fhe public domain should be held sacred to
lctuai settlers.
IL. We hold that it is the duty of the Gov
in it's intercourse with foreion no