The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-12-07
Liberal Republican Platform.
Address and Declaration Of Principles
Adopted by the Convention Of Liberal
Republicans in Cincinnati, May 3rd,
1879. 5s# y

Adopted by the Convention Of Liberal
Republicans in Cincinnati, May 3rd,
1879.
THE ADDRESS. 51@
The administration now in power has rend-
cred itself guilty OF wanton disregard Of the
laws Of the land, and llas usurped powers
not granted by the Constitution. 1t has
acted as il the laws had binding force only
TOR those who arc governed, and not for those
who govern. 1t has thus struck a 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 VIGOROUSLY corrupt and
unworthy men in places of power and re-
sponsibility, to the detrilnent OF the public
interest. He has used the public service OF
the Government as a machinery Of partisan
and personal influence, and intertered with
tyrannical arrogance in the political affairs
Of States and municipalities. He has re
wartled with influential and lucrative Offices
men who had acquired his favor by valuable
presents, thus stimulating Decentralization of
our political life by his conspicuous example.
He has shown himself deplorably unequal to
the tasks imposed upon him by the nrcessi-
ties OF the country, and culpably careless of
the responsibilities OF his high office.
The partisans Of the administration, as.
Stunning to he the Republican party and con-
trolling its organization, have attempted to
justify such wrongs and palliate such abuses.
to the end OF maintaining party ascendaney.
They have stood III the way Of necessary in
designations and Indispensable reforms, pre-
tending that serious fault could he found
with the present administration Of public
affairs, thus seeking to blind the ewes of the
people. They have kept alive the passions
and rescntments Of the late civil war to use
them for their own advantage. They have
resOrted to arbitrary measures, in direct con
flict wit, 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 tor successful administration
OF their local affairs, and would tend to move
II patriotic and hopeful national feeling
They have degraded themselves and the
name Of their party. once justly entitled to
the confidence ct the nation, by a base syco-
phancy to the dispenser of executive power
and patronage unworthy of Republican free
men. They sought to sthe the voice Of lust
criticism, to stitie the moral sense of the peo-
pie, and to suhjugate public opinion by
tyrannical party discipline. They are striv-
ing to maintain themselves in authority for
selfish ends by an INSCRIPTIONS 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
ct the American people. ..--
THE DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
Therefore. we, the Liberal Republicans of
the United States. III National Convention
assembled at Cincinnati, proclaim the fol-
lowing principles as essential to just Govern
mcnt:
|. 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 ont equal and exact Justice to all.
OF whatever nativity, race, color, or persu;l-
sion, religious or political.
,. We pledge ourselves to maintain the
Union Of these States. emancipation, and en-
and to oppose any reopening
Of the questions settled by tie Thirteenth.
Fourteenth, 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
versal amnesty will result i'll complete paci-
tication i'll all sections of the country.
=. Local self-government. with impartial
suffrage, will guard the rights Of all citizens
more securely than any centralized power
OF the civil over the military authority, and
freedom Of person under the protection Of
the hdbens corpus. We demand for the in
tlivitiual the largest liberty consistent with
public order, for the State selEgoyernment,
and Tor the nation IL return to the me thotls of
peace and the constitutional limitations of
power
5. The civil service of the Government has
become mere instrument Of partisan tyr
amy and personal ambition, and an object
OF selfish greed. 1t is ascandal and lpproach
upon free Institutions, and breeds democrat
lzation dangerous to the perpetuity 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 consti- |
tute the only valid claims to public employ
,nent: that the offices of the Government |
cease to be i matter of arbitrary t;lvoritissn |
and patronage, and that public station be !
come again 4 post Of honor. To this end il |!
is imperatively required that no President T
shall be !; candidate for reelection.
6. We demand a system of Federal tax
alton which shall not unnecessarily inter
fere with the industry Of the people. and |
which shall provide the means necessary to
pay the expenses OF the Government econo-
alically administered; the pensions. the in
ferest on the public debt, and a moderate re-
luction annually Of the principal thereof;
tAtA. llitl tHtIe IFt Ill our nIttSt
honest but irreconcilable differences of opin-
ons with regard to the respective systems OF
protection and free trade, We remit the dis
'lssion Of the subject to the people, in their
Congressional districts and to the decision
i Congress thereon, wholly free of Execu-
i've interference or dictation.
Z. The public credit must be sacredly
and we lenounce reputation in
very form and gnisc.
4. a steady return to specie payment is
demanded alike ~ the highest consitlera-
ions OF commercial morality and honest
government.
9. We remember with gratitude the hero
SIN and sacrifices of the soldiers and sailors
+ the republic, and no act Of ours shall ever
etract from their justly learned fame, or the
ull reward Of their patriotism
10. We are opposed tn all further grants of
ands to railroads or other corporations.
he public domain should be held sacred to
ctual settlers.
IL. We hold that it is the duty Of the Gov
lnment, in its intercourse with foreign ma
ions, to cultivate the friendship of peace, by
selting with all on fair and equal terms. re-
arding it alike dishonorilble either to de-
land what is not right, or to submit to what {
wrong.