The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-05-18
Liberal Republican Platform.
Address and Declaration of Principles
Adopted By the Convention of Liberal
Republicans in Cincinnati, May 3rd,
THE Address.

Republicans in Cincinnati, May 3rd
1872.
THE ADbREss.
The administration now in power has rend-
cred itself guilty of wanton disregard of the
laws OF the land, and has usurped powers
not granted by the Constitution. 1t has
acted as If the laws had binding force only
for those who are governed, and not for those
who govern. 1t has thus struck blow at
the fundamental principles of 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
ends. He has kept VIGOROUSLY corrupt and
unworthy men i'll places of power and re-
sponslbllty, to the detriment of the public
interest. lie has used the public service of
the Government as machinery of partisan
and personal influence, and interfered with
tyrannical arrogance in the political affairs
OF States and municipalities. He has re-
warded with influential and lucrative Offices
men who had acquired his favor by valuable
presents, thus stimulating decentralization of
our political life by his conspicuous example
He has shown himself deplorably UNEQUAL to
the tasks imposed upon him by the necessi-
ties OF the country, and culpably careless of
the responsibilities of his high office.
The partisans of tine administration, as
Stunning to be the Republican party and con-
trolling It's organization, have attempted to
justify such wrongs and palliate such abuses,
70 the end 0f maintaining party ascendancy.
1hey have stood in the way of necessary in
designations and indispensable reforms, pre-
tending that no serious fault could be found
with the present administration of public
affairs, thus seeking to blind the ewes of the
people. They have kept alive the passions
and resentmeuts of the late civil war to use
them for their own advantage. They have
resorted to arbitrary measures, i'll direct con-
hict with the organic law, instead of appeal
ing to the better instincts and latent patriot
ism OF the Southern people by restoring to
them those rights the enjoyment of which is
indispensable for successful administration
of their local affairs, and would tend to move
patriotic and hopeful national feeling.
They have degraded themselves and the
name OF their party, once justly entitled to
the confidence of the nation, by base syeo-
phancy to the dispenser of executive power
and patronage unworthy of Republican free
men. They sought to stifle the voice of just
criticism, to stifie the moral sense of the peo-
pie, and to subjugate public opinion by
tyrannieal party discipline. They are striv-
ing to maintain themselves in authority for
selfish ends by all INSCRIPTIONS use of the
power which rightfully belongs to the people,
and should be employed only in the service
of the country.
DciloNliiS THAT all organization CnuS leu and
controlled can no longer be of 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.
THE DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
Therefore, We the Liberal Republicans of
the United States, in National Convention
assembled at Cincinnati. proclaim the fol-
lowing principles as essential to just Govern
ment:
/. We recognize the equality of all men
before tho law, and hold that it is the duty
of Government in it's dealings with the peo-
pie to mete out equal and exact Justice to all,
OF whatever nativity, race, color, or persua-
sion, religious or political.
=. We pledge ourselves to maintain the
Union of these States, emancipation, and ell
and to oppose any reopeuing
of the questions settled by the Thirteenth,
Fourteenth, and Fifteenth amendments to
the Constitution. t
8. We demand the immediate and ALSO
lutte removal of all disabilities imposed on &C
count of the rebellion which was finally sub
dued seven years ago, believing that uni
Versal amnesty will result in complete paei-
icationin all sections of the country.
4. Local selfgovernment, with impartial
suffrage, will guard the rights of all citizens
more securely than any centralized power.
A HO pADllC fClIdtc EcHulIcS tuc bupftulaCy
Of the civil over the military authority, and
freedom of person under the protection of
the habeas corpus. We demand for the in
1ividual the largest liberty consistent with
public order, for the State self-government,
md for the nation return to the methods of
peace and the constitutional limitations of
power.
become mere instrument of partisan tyr
lnny and personal ambition, and an object
If selfish greed. 1t is scandal and reproach
lpon free institutions, and breeds democrat
cation dangerous to the perpetuity of repub-
lean government. Wetherefore regard such
thorough reforms of civil service as are of
he most pressing necessities of the hour;
hat honesty, capacity, and fidelity consti-
ute the only valid claims to public employ
nent; that the offices of the Government
ease to be matter OF arbitrary favoritism
md patronage, and that public station be-
come again post of honor. To this end it
8 imperatively required that no President
,hall be q candidate for reelection.
6. We demand a system of Federal tax
ition which shall not unnecessarily inter-
ERE with the industry of the people, and
which shall provide the means necessary to
pay the expenses of the Government, econo-
nically administered; the pensions, the in
crest on the public debt, and moderate re-
iuction annually of the principal thereof;
md, recognizing that there are in our midst
honest but irreconcilable differences of opin-
ons with regard to the respective systems of
protection and free trade We remit the dis
,ussion of the subject to the people, in their
Congressional districts, and to the decision
If Congress thereon, wholly free of Execu-
i've interference or Gictation.
7. The public credit must be sacredly
and we Genounce reputation in
very form and guise.
8. A steady return to specie payment is
demanded alike by the highest considera-
ions of commercial morality and honest
government
9. 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 justly learned fame, or the
uIl reward of their patriotism.
10. We are opposed to all further grants of
ands to railroads or other corporations.
The public domain should be held sacred to
.etual settlers.
H. We hold that it il the duty of the Gov
in its intercourse with foreign ma
ions, to cultivate the friendship of peace, by
reating with all on fair and equal terms, re-
arding it alike dishonorable either to de-
nand what is not right, or to submit to what