The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-11-02

ADDRESS ana Ueclafat1On OF TunclpleS
Adopted by the Convention Of Liberal
Republicans in Cincinnati, May 3rd,
1872.
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 MOTOR those
who govern. 1t has thus struck q 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
ends. He has Kept notoriously corrupt and
unworthy men in places of power and re-
sponsibility, to the detriment of the public
interest. He has used the public service of
the Government as machinery of partisan
and personal influence, and interfered with
tyramical 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 the administration, as
Stunning to be the Republican party and con-
trolling its organization, have attempted to
justify such wrongs and PALATE such abuses,
to the end Of maintaining party ascendancy.
They have stood in the way of necessary in
vestigatiens and Indispensable reforms, pre-
tending that no serious fault could be found
with the present administration OF public
affairs, thus seeking to blind the eyes of the
In bout
and resentments Of the late civil war to use
them for their own advantage. They have
resorted to arbitrary measures, in 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 a successful administration
of their local affairs, and would tend to move
a 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 sycO-
phancy to the dispenser of executive power
and patronage unworthy of Republican free
men. They sought to stife the voice of just
criticism, to stitie the moral sense of the peo-
pie, and to subjngate public opinion by
tyrannical party discipline. They are striv-
ing to maintain themselves in authority for
selfish ends by an INSCRIPTIONS use of the
power which rightfully belongs to the people,
and should be employed only in the service
of the country.
Believing that an organization thus led 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
%I,oI tod S%r&1
assembled at Cincinnati, proclaim the fol-
lowing principles as essential to just Govern
ment:
!. We recognize the equality of all men
before the law, and hold that it is the duty
Of Government III it's dealings with the peo-
pie to mete out equal and exact Justice to all,
ct whatever nativity, race, color, or persua-
sion, religious or political.
2. We pledge ourselves to maintain the
Union of these States emancipation, and en-
and to oppose any reopeuing
of the questions settled by the Thirteenth,
Fourteenth, and Fifteenth amendments to
the Constitution.
3. We demand the immediate and abso-
lutte removal Of all disabilitiesimposedo on ac-
count Of the rebellion which was finally sub
dued seven years ago, believing that uni
versal amnesty will result in complete paci-
fcation in all sections of the country
4. Local sclfgovernment, with impartial
suffrage, will guard the rights OF all citizens
more securely than any centralized power
The public welfare requires the supremacy
of the civil over the military authority, and
the habeas corpus We demand for the in
the largest liberty consistent with
public order, for the State selfgovernment,
and for the nation a return to the methods Of
peace and the constitutional limitations Of
power.
5. The civil service of the Government has
become Il mere instrument Of partisan tyr
amy and personal ambition, and an object
OF selfish greed. 1t is a scandal and reprOach
upon free institutions, and breeds democrat
lzation dangerous to the perpetuity of repub-
lican government. We therefore regard such
reforms Of civil service as are of
the most pressing necessities OF the hour;
that honesty, capacity, and fidelity consti-
tute the only valid claims to public employ
ment; that the offices Of the Government
cease to be 2 matter of arbitrary favoritism
and patronage, and that public station be-
come again post of honor. To this end it
is imperatively required that no President
shall be a candidate for reelection.
3. We demand a 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- |
nically administered; the pensions, the in
.erest 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 |
and free trade, we remit the dis
,ussion Of the subject to the people, in their
districts, and to the decision
# Congress thereon, wholly free of Execu-
i've interference OF dictation. |
7. The public credit must be sacredly |
and we denounce reputation in |
very form and guise.
8. \ steady return to specie payment is |
demanded alike by the highest considera-
ions Of 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 justly earned fame, OF the
ull 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
ctIll settlers.
IL. We hold that it is the duty of the Gov
i'll its intercourse with foreign nf-
ions, to cultivate the friendship of peace, by
reating with all on fair and equal terms, re
artling it alike dishonorable either to de-
aand what is not right, or to submit to what