The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-08-10
PLATFORM OF THE NATIONAL REPUB-
LICAN PARTY

Philadelphia, June and 6, 1872:
The Republican party of the United States
assembled In National Convention, in the city OF
Philadelphia, on the 9th and 9Th days or June,
1879, again declares its faith, appeals to its
history, and announces its position upon the
questions before the country.
Frst-During eleven years of supremacy IL
has accepted, with grand courage, the solemn
duties of the times it suppressed a gigantic re-
bellion emancipated 900 900 of slaves decreed
the equal citizenship of all and established univer
sal suffrage; exhibiting unparalleled magma
nimity, 1t criminally punished no man for politi-
calofences,and warmly welcomed all who proved
their loyalty by obeying the laws and dealing
justly with their neighbors. 1t has steadily de-
creased, with firm hand, the result and disorders
of a great war, and initiated n wise policy toward
the Indians. The Pacific railroad and similar
vast enterprises have been generously aided and
successfully conducted; the public land freely
given to actual settlels;G Immigration protected
and encouraged, and full ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Of
the naturalZed citizens right secured from Euro
pean powers; a uniform national currency has
been provided; Repatriation frowned down, the
national credit sustained under most extraordi-
nary burdens, and new bonds negotiated at lower
rates. The revenues have been carefully col
lected and honestly applied, despite annual
large reductions CT rates of taxation, the
public debt has been reduced, during Gen
eral Grants Presidency, at the rate of a
hundred millions year; great financial crisis
have been avoided, and peace and plenty pre-
vail throughout the land menacing foreign diff
culties have been peacefully and honorably COM
pOSeu, anu Lle nOnOF ana the power OF the ma
ton kept in high respect throughout the
world This glorious record of the past, is
the party's best pledge for the future. We be-
lieve the people will not entrust the government
to any party, or combination of men, composed
chiefly of those who resisted every step of this ben
eticial progress.
Second Complete liberty and exact equali-
ty in the enjoyment of all civil, political
and public rights should be established and
effectually maintained throughout the Union, by
efficient and appropriate State and Federal legis-
lation neither the law nor the administration
should admit of any discrimination in respect of
citizens by reason of race, creed colored or pre-
yious condition of servitude.
1hird-The recent amendments to the Natio-
nal Constitution, should be cordially sustained
because they are right, not merely tolerated be.
cause they are law, and should be carried out ac-
cording to the spirit by appropriate Legislation, the
enforcement of which can safely be entrusted only
to the party that secured those amendmer ts. :
F0uth-The National Government should
seek to maintain honorable peace with all ma
tions, protecting its citizens everywhere, and
sympathizing with all peoples who strive
for greater liberty.
Fifh.-Any system of the civil service under
which the subordinate positions of the Gov
eminent are considered reward for mere
party zeal, is fatally demoralizing, and we,
therefore, favor . reform of the system, by laws
which shall abolish the evils of patronage, and
make honesty, efficiency, and fidelity the essen
tial qualifications for public position, without
practically creating a life tenure of office.
SiIth.-We are opposed to further grants of the
public lands to corporations and monop0lies, and
demand that the national domain be set apart
for free homes.for the people. The annual rev.
enue, after paying current debt. should furnish
a moderate balance. ..-t
Sepenth-The annua revenues after paying
the current debt, should furnish moderate
balance for the reduction of the principal,
and the revenue, except so much as may be
derived from tax on tobacco and
the duties of which should be so adjusted rs to
adm securing remuneratiye wages, TO labor,
and promote the growth, industries, and pros
pe1'ity of the whole country. ''''4
Eiqhth.--We hold in undying honor the soldiers
and sailors whose valor saved the Union. Their
pensions are sacred debt of the nation, and the
widows and orphans of those who died for their
country are entitled to the care Of an additional
legislation as will extend the bounty Of the Gov
ernmeut to all our soldiers and sailors who were
honorably discharged, and who,i the time of
duty, became disabled, without regard to the
length Of service or the cause of such discharge.
Mnu.-The doctrine of Great Britain and other
European Powers concerning allegiance. "Once
a subject always subject" having at last,
through the efforts of the Republican party, been
abandoned, and the American idea Of the right
to transfer allegiance having been accepted by
European nations, it is the duty of our Govern
ment to guard with Jealous care the right of
adopted citizens against the assumption of unau-
thoriZed claims by their former Government,
and we urge continual careful encouragement
and protection of voluntary immigration
Tenth.-The franlcing privilege ought to be abol-
ished and the way prepared for a speedy reduc-
ton in the rate of postage.
Eleuenh.-Among the questions which press
for attention is that which concerns the relations
of capital and labor, and the Republican party
recognize tho duty of SO shaping legislation as to
secure full protection and the simplest field for
capital and for labor, the creator # capital the
largest opportunities and just share of the nlu-
tua profits of these two CREST servants of ciyiliza
ton. ~
TioeJfh-We hold that Congress and the Pres
dent have only fulfilled an imperative duty in
hpir 1paS Of vi n nd
reasonable organizations in certain lately rebel
lions regions and for the protection of the ballot
box and therefore they are entitled to the thanks
7nirteenth.--We denounce the Reputation of
the public debt in any form or disguise as n ma
tional crime. We witness with pride the reduc.
tion of the principal of the debt and of the rates
of interest upon the balance, and confidently ex.
peet that our excellent national currency will be
perfected by a speedy resumption of specie pay
ments
F0.rteenth.-The Republican party is mindful
of its obligations TO the loyal women of America
for their noble donation to the cause of freedom,
their admission to the wider fields of usefulness
is viewed with satisfaction, and the honest de
mands of any class OF citizens for additional
rights should betreated with respectful considera
ton y A i4-2 ~ hiat IT = -art-S -ajtkF
Fifteenth We heartily approve the action of
Congress in extending amnesty to those lately in
rebellion, and rejoice in the growth of peace and
fraternal feeling throughout the land. n III
Sfrteenth-Th Republican party propose to
~
themselves as carefully as the powers delegated
by them to the State and to the Federal Govern
ment. 1t disapproves of the resort to unconsti-
tutional laws for the purpose of removing evils
by interference with rights not surrendered by
the people to either the State or National Gov
ernment
Serenteenth.-It is the dnty of the General
Government to adopt such measures az will tend
to encourage American commerce and ship
building. 4 a ..lgirG4 .lG G,s.sss,lf
Eightee,lth.--We believe that the modest pat
riotism, the earnest purpose, the sound judg.
nent, the practical wisdom, the rncorruptiblei in
tegrity and the iliustrious services of Ulysses s.
Grant, have commended him to the heart of the
American people, and with him at our head we
stand to-day upon a new march to victory.
PRINCIPLES ENUNCIATED BY THE RE-
FUBLICANS OF VIRGINIA.
The Republicans of Virginia, In Convention
assembled, about to enter upon the canvass for
the election of President and Vice-President
oil the United States, now formally announce
their principles to the voters of this Common
wealth. 80 'tA = ~
From 1865 to 1872 they have continually and
unwaveringly held and proclaimed the same
principles and, they hereby reiterats and re-
affirm the resolutions of their State Conventions
held IN 1856, 1867, 1868, 1859, 1870. and 1871. =
These principles have been embodied in the
18th, l4th, and 10th amendments OF the national
constitution and in the civil rights act, of April
Q, 1865, the enforcement act of May 80 ism, and
the amended enforcement act Of AnriI Do 1871