Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-08-10
THE BALTIMORE PLATFORM.

We, the Democratic electors of the United
States, in Convention assembled, do present The
following principles, already adopted at Cinein-
natl, as essential to just government:
l. We recognize the equality of all men before
the law, and hold that it is the duty of Govern
ment, in its dealings with the people, to mete out
equal and exact justice to all of whatever IA
tivity, race, color, or persuasion, religious po
litical.
2. We pledge ourselves to maintain the Union
Of these States, emancipation and enfra nchrse-
ment, and to oppose any reopening of the ques-
tons settled by the thirteenth. fourteenth and
fifteenth amendments OF the Constitution.
3. We demand the immediate and absolute re-
mOval of all disabilities imposed on account OF
the rebellion, which was finally subdued seven
years ago, believing that universal amnesty will
result in complete pa cifcatiOn in all sections OF
the country.
4. Local self-government with impartial suf-
frage will guard the rights of all citizens more
securely than any centralized power. The public
welfare requires the supremacy of the civil over
the military authority, and the freedom of per-
son under the protection of the habeas corpus.
We demand for the individual the largest Iiber-
ty consistent with public order for the State self
government, and for the nation a return TO the
methods of peace and the constitutional hmita-
lions of power.
8. The civil service of the Government has be-
come mere instrument of partisan tyranny and
personal AMBITION and an object of selfish greed.
1t is a scandal and repf0ach upon free institu-
tons, and breeds Generalization dangerous to
q. We therefore regard thorough reform of
the civil service as one of the most pressing ne
cessities of the hour; that honesty, capacity and
fidelity constitute the only valid claims 10 public
employment; that the offices OF the Government
cease TO be a matter of arbitrary favOritism and
patronage, and that public station shall become
again place of honor. To this end it Is impera-
lively required that no President shall be can
didate for reelection.
I. We demand a system Of Federal taxation
which shall not unnecessarily interfere with the
industry of the people, and which shall provide
the means necessary to pay the expenses OF the
Government; economically administered, the
pensions, the interest on the public debt, and 8
moderate annual reduction Of the principal
midst honest and irTeeoncilable differences of
opinion with regard to the respective systems Of
Protection and Free Trade, we remit the discus
sion of the subject to the peOple in their Con-
gressiOnal Districts, and the decision of Congress
thereon, wholly free from Executive interference
or dictatiOn.
8. The public credit must be sacredly main
tanned, and we denounce reputation in every
form and guise. .-..-.- e. .t-.a ..
0. A speedy return to specie payments is de-
manded alike by the highest Considerations of
commercial morality and honest government.
10. We remember with gratitude the herOism
and sacrifices of the soldiers and sailors of the
Republic, and no act of ours shall ever detract
from their justly earned fame or the full rewards
of their patriotism. rr ~. .
IL. We are opposed to all further grants of land
10 IdllTOduS OF OIneT corporations. Ine puDllC
domains should be held sacred to actual settlers.
II. We hold that it is the duty of the Govern
mentin its intercourse with foreign nations to
cultivate the friendship of peace, by treating
with all on fair and equal terms, regarding it alike
dishonorable either to demand what is not right
or submit to what is wrong. Il
10. For the promotion and success OF these
vital principles and the support of the
nominated by this convention, we invite and cor
daily welcome the corporation of all patr1ouc
citizens, without regard to previous politicai ami
iatiOns. 80