The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-08-24
Liberal Republican Platform.
Address and Declaration of Principles
Adopted by the Convention of Liberal
Republicans IN Cincinnati, May 3rd
1872.
THE ADDRESS.

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
who govern. 1t has thus struck blow at
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
his high office for the promotion of personal
ends. He has Kept notOri0usly corrupt and
| unworthy men IN places of power and re-
| sponsibli1ty, to the detriment of the public
interest. lie has used the public service of
the Government as machinery of partisan
ana personal influence, and interfered with
tyfanneal arrogance i'll the political affairs
OF States and municipalities. He has re-
Warded with influential and lucrative offices
inen who had acquired his favor by valuable
presents, thus stimulating decentralization of
our political life by his conspicuous example.
lie has shown himself deplorably UNEQUAL to
the tasks imposed upon him by the neeessi-
ties OF the country, and culpably careless of
the responsibilities of his high Office
Inc pafhsans of the administration, as
Stunning to be the Republican party and con-
trolling Its organization, have ATTEMPTED 20
Justify such wrongs and palliate such abuses,
10 the end OF maintaining party ascendaney
Ihey nave stood IN the way of necessary in
Vestlgations 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 the
people they have kept alive the passions
anu resentments of the late civil war to use
them Tor their own advantage. They have
resorted to arbitrary measures, in direct con-
met 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 a successful administration
OF their local affairs, and would tend to move
" 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 Il base syco-
phancy to the dispenser of executive power
anu patronage unworthy of Republican free
men. They sought to stifle the, voice of inst,
criticism, TO stlfie the moral sense of the peo-
pie, and to subiugate public opinion by
tyrannical party discipline. They are striv-
ing to maintain themselves in authority for
selfish ends by an unserupulors 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.
HE DECLAkAI1ON OF PRINCIPLES.
Therefore, We, the Liberal Republicans of
the United States, i'll National Convention
assembled at Cincinnati. proclaim the fol-
lowing principles as essential to lust Govern
ment:
|. We recognize the equality of all men
before the law, and hold that it is the duty
OF Government i'll its dealings with the peo
pie to inete out equal and exact Justice to all,
OF whatever nativity, race, color, or persua-
sion, religious or political.
2. We pledge ourselves to maintain the
Union of these States emancipation. and en-
and to oppose any reopenin~
OF the questions settled by the Thirteenth,
and Fifteenth amendments to
the Constitution
3. We demand the immediate and ALSO
lutte removal of all disabilities imposed ON ac-
count of the rebellion which was finally sub
dued seven years ago, believing that uni
yersai amnesty will result in complete paei-
hcatien i'll all sections of the country
q. Local seIf-goyefnment, with impartial
suffrage, will guard the rights of all citizens
more securely than amy centralized power
The public welfare requires the supremacy
Of the civil over the military authority. and
freedom of person under the protection of
the hdbeeS corpus. We demand for the in
liyidual the largest liberty consistent with
public order, for the State selEgOyernment.
and for the nation a return to the methods of
peace and the constitutional limitations of
power.
s. The civil service of the Government has
become mere instrument of partisan tyr
amy and personal ambition, and an object
1t selfish greed. 1t Is Il scandal and reprouch
upon free institutions, and breeds deInoral-
zatlon dangerous to the perpetuity OF repub-
lean government. Wetlerefore regard srch
thorough reforms of civil service as are of
The most pressing necessities Of the hour:
-t1sgf nDGfN it,
ute the only valid claims to public employ
nent. that the offices of the Government
ease to be Il matter of arbitrary flyoritism
md patronage, and that public station be-
come again post OF honor. To this end il
S ilnperatively required that no President
shall be a candidate for reelection.
.. We demand system of Federal tax
ltlon which shall not unnecessarily inter-
ere with the industry of the people, and
which shall provide the means necessary to
1ay the expenses of the Government, econo-
nically administered; the pensions the in
crest on the public debt, and a moderate re-
luction annually of the principal thereof:
ma, recognizing that there are in our midst
honest but lrreeoncilable differences of opin-
ons with regard to the respective systems OF
protection and free trade, we remit the dis
'ussion of the subject TO tho people, in their
Congressional districts, and to the decision
II Congress thereon, wholly free of Execii-
I've interference or dietltiOn.
Z. The public credit must be sacredly
maintained, and we denounce repudiation in
very form and guise.
y. A steady return to specie payment is
demanded alike by the highest considera
ions of commercial morality and honest
government.
9. We remember with gratitude tlie hero
SIN and sacrifices of the soldiers and sailors
# the republic, and no act of ours shall ever.
Ietract from their .justly-earned fame, or the
ull reward of their patriotism.
TO- We are opposed to all further grants of
ands to railroads or other corporations.
The public domain should be held sacred to
ctual settlers.
IL. We hold that it is the duty of the Gov
Ill its intercourse with foreign ma
ions, to cultivate the friendship of peace. bv
reating with all ON fair and equal terms, re-
arding it alike dishonorable either to de-
aand what is not right, or to submit to what
wrong.
II. For the promotion and success of these
ital principles and the support of the can
idates nominated by this Convention, we
lyite and cordially welcome the co-opera
ion of all patriotic citizens, without regard
0 previous affiliations