The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-07-23
PLATFORM
Of che National Liberal Repub,ican ond
Democratic Rsformers, adopted at Gin
cinnotss May g. and at Baltimore July

We. the Democratic electors. OF the United
Sthtes. in Convention assembled, do proclaim
ktbe following principles already adopted at
Cincinnati. as essential tojnst goVsrnment:
| l. We recognizes the equality OF all men
before the law. and hold that it is the duty
of the Government. in its dealings. with the
| iieople..o mete ont equal aud exact justica to
all. OF whatever NATIVITY. race color or per-
suasfcn, religious -orpoltical.
q. We pledge ourselves, to maintain the
Union of therStates, emancipation AMI en-
franchissment, and to oppose any reopening
of the questions settled by tie 18th. l4th aud
18th arnendm snts of the Constitution.
8 We demand the imm edaie and absolute
removal of all disabilities imposed OF account
of the rebellion which was finatiy subdued
seven years ago believing that universal am
uesty will result in complete pacificstion in
all sections of the country -
a Local selfgovernment with impartial
suffrage will gRard the rights nf all citizens
more securely than any centralized power;
| the public welfare requires the supremacy Of
the civil over the military authority, and
freedom Of person under the protection OF
/ the habeas corpus, we demand7for the indi-
vitiual the largest liberty consistent with
public ORDER. for the State self government,
| and for th. nation a return to the methods Of
4 peace and the constitutional limitations of
power -Hg's3
S. The civil service of the government has,
become mere Instrument of partisan ty-i
ranny and personal ambition and an object of
4 selfish greed;it is a scandal and,rsproach upon
d free institutions. and bresdS a decentralization
4 DANGEROUS to the perpetuity of Republican
4 COVE nmsnt. IaoI fcI
H 6,FWe, therefore regard a thorough reform
\ of the civil service as one of the most pres
\ sing necessities of the hour that honesty. Ca.
I pacity and fleity. constitute the Fouly valid
claims TO. public efhirloymsnt; that the officers
4 of the Government ceass TO bs a matter of
i arbitrary favoritism and patronage, and that
4 public station become again post of honor
H To this end it is imperatively required that
\ nc Pre- sident shall be candidate for re elec-
y ton.
i Il The pgbtig credit, must be saorealyi
4 maintains6s,ssHi we eidencnnne repudia,ion i'm
II inevery form ana guses Z sisfss .zJT sGirl
4 S. A speedy retufu toe specie payment is
lldeman,ied alike by the hig hsst considerations
: of, cvnimercial morality and honest govern
/ n,ent, res ytLea a1.ti1iG1a .8v- a3rz. 10
q
hism and stcriices of the soldiers and sailors
of the republic and no act of ours shall ever
adetraat from their Justly earsed fame or .tha
:, Ia reward of their patrio1is1.au ste. Ias5l
10. We are opp0 ed to all further grants
of lands TO railroads or other corporations.
The public domain. should be held sacred TO
&C nal settlers, a l .-r 80 r4. b .;aa.
IL We hold that tits. s.the duty OF ths gov
ernmetit. iu its jutercourse with foreign Ia.
+ tions, to cultivate the eR4ship of peace by
treating with all on fair and equal terms, re.
garding i. alike dishoLorabfe either to de-
inand what is not .right or 70 submit to what
/ is wrong.$s q LllJbijoiLiisibi-
4 l2.rFor the promotion apd success OF these
vital principles, and the support of the can
didates nominated by this Convention, we in
vite and cordially iwsle5ns thsF Gb.sparatio n
Fof an patriotic eitizsns, Without regardIto
previous political affiliations. $
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