The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-10-12
Liberal Republican Platform.

Address and Declaration Of Principles
Adopted by the Convention Of Liberal
Republicans in Cincinnati, May 3rd,
1872.
THE ADDRESS.
The administration now in power has re1ld
cred itself guilty of waut0n disregard of the
laws of the land, and has ,lsllrpel powers
not granted by the Constitution. lit has
acted us II tie laws had binding force only
for those who are governed, aud notfUr those
who govern. 1t has thus struck d blow ut
the fundamental principles Ut 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
cilds. He has kept notoliously corrupt and
unworthy men III places OF power and re-
sponsibility, to the detri1ne1,t Of the public
interest He has used the public service of
the Government as II machinery Of partisan
and personal influence, and illterfered will,
tyrallnical arrogance i'll the political affairs
Of States aud municipalities. He has re-
w;lrtled with influential and lucrative offices
men who htsd acquired his favor by valuable
presents. thus stimulating Generalization of
Onr political life by his conspicuous example.
He las shown himself tlepl0rably unequal to
the tasks Imposed upon him by the neeessi-
tics Of the country, and e1llpablv careless Of
the responsibilities OF his high office:
The partisaas Of the administration, as
Stunning to be the Republican party and con-
trolling its organization have attempted to
justify such wrongs and palliata s,ieh abuses,
to the end oi maintaining party ascendancy.
They have stood in the way OF necessary ill-
vcstigations and Indispensable reforms pre-
tending that no serious f,tut could he found
with the present administration of public
affaifs, thus seeking to blind the eyes of the
people. They have kept alive the passions
and resentments Of the late civil war to use
them for their own advantage. They have
resortea to arbitrary measures, in direct con-
tlict with the organic law, instead of appeal
ing to the better instincts and latent patriot
ism Of the Southern eople by restoring to
them those rights the enjoyment Of which is
Indispensable for Il successful administration
Of their local affairs, and would tend to move
/, patriotic and hopeful national feeling.
They have degraded themselves and tile
mime of their party. once justly entitled to
the confidence of the nation, by a base syco-
pEhncy to the dispenser Of executive power
and patronage unworthy Of Republican free
men. They sought to stifle the voice of just
criticism, to stiHe the moral sense OF the peo
pie, and to- slthjughte public opinion by
tyrallnieal Party discipline. They are stTiv-
ing to maintain themselves i'll authority for
selfish ends by an nnscfupulous use of the
power which riglitf1llly belongs to the people,
and should be employed only i'll the service
Of the country.
believing TINT an6rganization thus led and
controlled can no longer be Ut 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 us essential to just Govern
mellt:
]. We recognize the equality of all men
before the law, and hold that it is the duty
OF Government if its dealings with the pep
pie to ncte out equal and exact Justice to ALL
Of whatever nativity. race, color, or persua-
sion, religious On political.
2. We pledge ourselves to maintain the
Union Of these States emancipation, and en-
reimbursement, and to oppose any reopcri1lg
OF the questions settled by the Thirteenth.
Fourteenth, and Fifteenth amendments to
the Constitution.
g. We demand the immediate and ALSO
lutte removal Of all disabilities imposed on ac-
count ut the rebellion which was finaly sub
ducd seven years ago, believing that uni
versnl amnesty will result iii complete ,,,,ci-
tication in all sections Of the country
4. Local sefgovernlAellt, with impartial
suffrage, will guard tIefrights of all citizens
more securely than any centralized poYcr.
The public welfare requires the supremacy
of the civil over the military authority, and
freedom Of person under the protection Of
the habe0s corpus. We demand for the i'll
dividual the largest liberty consistent with
public order, for the State selfgoyernnent,
and for the nation a return to the methods OF
peace and the constitutional limitations Of
power.
). The civil service Of the Government has
become 1. mere instrument Of partisan tyr
amy and personal ambition, and an object
of selfish greed. 1t il s. scandal and rel,roach
upon free institutions. and breeds ,lemoral-
lzittion dangerous to the perpetuity OF repul-
lican government. Wetllcrefore regard such
thorough reforms of civil service lis arc of
the most pressing necessities of the hour;
that honesty, capacity, and fidelity eonsti-
tutc the only valid claims to public employ
lnent; that the offices of the Government
cease to he 4 matter Of arbitrary flyoritisin
and patronage, and that public station be
come again post Of honor. TO this end it
is inprrativcly required that no President
shall he a candidate for reelection
q. We demand Ii 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-
'nieally administered; the pensions. the i'll
terest on the public debt, and IL moderate re-
lnction annually of the principal thereof;
and. recognizing that thege are in our midst
honest but irreconcilablc differences Of opin-
ions with regard to the respective systems of
protection and free trade, we remit tile dis
.llssion Of the subject to the people, in their
Congressional districts, and to the decision
If Congress thereon, Wildly free of Exec,-
i've interference Or dictation.
T. The public credit must be sacrc,lly |
and We lenounce reputation in I
very form and guisc.
3. A steady return to specie payment is |
demanded alike by the highest consi,era- |
ions ut commercial morality and honest |
government.
8. We remember with gratitude the hero
SIN and sacrifices Of the soldiers and sailors
# the republic and no act OF ours shall ever
letract' from their nstly-earncd fame. or the
I'LL reward OF their patriotism.
10. We are opposed to I'll further grants of |
anas to railroads or other corporations.
The public domain should be held sacred to
Gtual settlers.
H. We hold that it is tue duty of the Gov.
i'll its intercourse with foreign na-
ions, to cultivate the friendship of peace. bv
rcating with all on fair and equal terms, re-
II allie a. oh, 1I., ,;+