The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1872-05-16
The Platform

The Platform.
We, the Liberal Republicans Of
the United States. in National Con
Yention assembled at Cincinnati,
proclaim the following principles as
essential to just government:
First.-We recognize the equality
of all men before the law, and hold
that it is the duty Of the Govern
ment in its dealings with the people
to meet out equal and exact justice
to all, Of whatever nativity, race,
color or persuasion, religious or po-
litical.
Second.-We pledge ourselves to
maintain the Union of these States,
emancipation and franchisement,
and to oppose any re-opening Of the
questions settled by the 18th, 14th
and 18th Amendments to the Con-
stitution.
Third.-We demand the iminedi-
ate and absolute removal of all disa-
biiities imposed on account Of the
rebellion, which was. finally subdaed
seven years ago, believing that uni
versal amnesty will result in com
plets pacificatiOn in all sections Of
the country.
/ Fourth Local selfgovernment,
with impartial suffrage, will guard
the rights Of citizens more securely
than any centralized power. The
people, the public welfare, requires
the supremacy of the civil over the
military authority and freedom of
persons under the protection of the
lIabeas corpus. We demand for the
individual the largest liberty con
sistent with public order for the
States self-gOvernment and for the
nations return to methods of peace
and the Constitutional limitations
Of power.
Fifth.-The civil service Of the
government has become a mere in
strument Of partisan chicanery and
personal ambition and an object of
self greed 1t is q scandal and re-
proach upon free institutions, and
breeds Generalization dangerous
to the perpetuity Of republican gov
erBment.
SiHth.-We therefore regard a
thorough reform In the civil service
as one of the most pressing necessi-
ties of the hour. That honesty, ca
pacity and fidelity constitute the
only valid claim to public employ
ment. That the offices OF the GOV
ernment cease to be q matter of ar
bitrary favOritism and that public
station become once more a post Of
honor, and it is imperatively re-
qHired that no President shall be
candidate for reelection.
Seventh.-We demand a system
of Federal taxation which shall not
unnecessarily interfere with the in
dustry of the people, and which shall
provide the means necessary to pay
the expenses ofthe government eco
nomically administered, the pen
sions, the interest on the public
debt and a moderate reduction of
the principal thereof; and reeogni-
zing that there ere in our midst
honest but irrseoncilablet differences
of opinion with regard to the respec-
tive system of protection and free
trade, we remit the discussion of the
subject to the people in their own
Congressional districts and the de
cisiOn of Congress thereon, wholly
free of executive interference or
dictation.
Eighth.-The public credit must
be saeredly maintained, and We de
nounce repudiation in every form |
and guise.
Ninth.-A speedy return to spe-
Gle payment is demanded alike by /
highest consideration of CONNER
cial morality and honest govern
ment.
Tenth.-We remember with graf
tude the herOism and sacrifices of
the soldiers and sailors of the Re |
public, and no act of ours shall ever I
detract from their justly earned |
fame or the full reward of their pa
triotism.
Eleventh.--We are opposed to all
further grants of land to railroad or
other corporations The public
domain should be held sacred to
actual settlers.
Twelfth.-We hold that it is the
duty of the government IN its in
tercourse with foreign nations to
cultivate friendship and peace, by
treating with all on fair and equal
terms, regarding it alike dishOnOra-
bic either to demand what is not
right or to submit to what is wrong.
Thirteenth.-In the promotion
and success of these vital princi-
pies, and the support of the candi-
dates dominated by this convention,
we invite and cordially welcome the
cooperation ofall patriotic citizens,
regard 10 previous political
HORACE WHITE,
Chairman of tue Commute. on
Resolutions.