Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-05-10

vice presidents from each State. During
Wednesday and Thursday nothing was
accomplished, except the preliminaries OF
the convention work and informal canvas
sing. Charles Francis Adams of Massa-
chusetts apparently being the favorite can
didate. On Friday morning they went TO
work on the legitimate business of the
Convention with results which were no
less surprise to the leaders of the move
ment than to outsiders, viz: the nomina-
ton of Horace Greeley Tor President and
b. Gratz Brown of Missouri for Vice Presi-
dent. The platform adopted we give be-
| low:
THE PLATFORM.
We, the liberal republicans of the United
States in national convention assembled,
proclaim the following principles as essen
tial to just government
LIST. We recognize the equally of all
men before the law, and hold that 1t is the
| duty of the government in its dealings TO
exact justice to all, of whatever nativity,
race, color or persuasion, religious or po-
litica.
ri. We pledge ourselves to maintain the
union of these states, emancipation and en-
franchisement, and TO oppose any reopen
ing of the questions settled by the 18th, 18th
and 10Th amendments of the constitution.
Cd. We demand the Immediate and alb
| solute removal of all the disabilities i'm
| posed on account of the rebellion which
was finally subdued seven years dgo, be-
lieving that amnesty will result in COM
| in al n a N
try.
4th. Local self-government, with impair
tial suffrage, will guard the rights of all
citizens more securely than any centralized
mower. 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
| demand for the individual the largest lib
erty consistent with public order; for the
state, self-government; and for the nation,
a return to the methods of peace and con-
stitutional limitations of power.
5th. The civil service of the government
has become mere instrument of partisan
tyranny and personal ambition, and an OBJ
iect of selfish greed. 1t is a scandal and
reproach upon free institutions, and breeds
n decentralization dangerous to the perpetu-
ity of republican government. We there
fore regard a thorough reform of the civil
ervice as one of the most pressing neces-
sites of the hour; that honesty, capacity
and fidelity constitute the only valid claims
to public employment; that the offices of
the government cease to be a matter of arb
itrary ia voritsm and patronage, and that
public station become again post of hon
or. To this end il is imperatively required
that no president shall be candidate for re-
election.
9th. We demand a system of federal
terfere 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 mod
crate reduction annually OF the principal
thereof; and, recognizing thai there are in
our midst honest but irreconcilable differ
ences of opinion with regard TO the respec-
tive systems of protection and free trade,
we remit the discussion of the subject to
the people in their congressional districts
and to the decision of Congress thereon,
wholly free of executive interference OF
dictation.
9TH. The public credit must be sacredly
maintained, and we denounce reputation
in every form and guse.
Sth. speedy return TO specie payments
is demanded alike by the highest consider
atoms of commercial morality and honest
government
9th. We remember with gratitude the
herosm and sacrifices of the soldiers and
sal Tors of the republic. No act of ours
shall ever detract from their justly earned
fla me, or the full rewards of their patriot
ism.
10th. We are opposed TO all further
grants of land TO railroads or other corpor-
atoms. The public domain should be held
sacred to actual settlers.
18th. We hold that it is the duty of the
government in its interc curse with foreign
nations to cultivate the friendship of peace
by treating with all on fair and equal terms,
regarding it alike dishonorable either TO
d emand what is not right or to submit TO
what Is wrong.
18th. For the promotion and success OF
these vital principles and the support OF
the candidates nominated by this conven-
ton, we invite and cordially welcome the
coo peration of al patriotic citizens, with
out regard to previous political affiliations.
ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE.
Tho administration now in power has
rendered itself guilty of wanton disregard
| of the laws. Has acted as If laws had q
binding force only for those who are gov.
erned and not for those who govern. II
has thus struck blow at the Fundamental
| principles of constitutional government
| and the liberties of 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 responsibility
to the detriment of the public interest. ii,
has used the public service of the govern
ment as a machinery of partisan and per
sonal influence, and interfered with tyran
meal arrogance in the political affairs o
states and municipalities. He has reward
} ed with influential and lucrative Office
men who had acquired his favor by valu
able presents, thus stimulating the demon
) alization of our political life by his con
spicuous example. He has shown himsel
deplorably unequal to the tasks impose,
upon him by the necessities of the country
and culpably careless Of the responsible
ties of his high office. The partisans q
the administrations, assuming to be the re
publican p arty, and controlling its organi
zation, have attempted to justify sue
wrongs and palliate such abuses, to the en-,