Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-07-18
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We, the Democratic electors OF the United
States. in Convention assembled, do present the
following principles, already adopted at Qincin-
natl; as essential to a just government =
l. We recognize the equality of all men before
the law and hold that &c Is the duty OF Govern
ment in its dealings with the people, to mete out
equal and exact justice to al of whatever ma
tivity race, color, persuasion, religious or po
litical.
2. We pledge ourselves to maintain the Union
of these Statee emancipation and enfra nchise-
ment, and to oppose any reopening of the ques-
lions settled by the thirteenth. fourteenth and
fifteenth amendments Of the Constitution s
3. Wedemand the immediate and absolute re
movai of an disabilities imposed on account of
the rebellion, which was finally subdued seven
years ago, believing that universal amnesty win
result in complete pa cieation Ia all sections Of
"A 4. Local government with impartial suf-
frage 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 freedom OF per-
son under the protection of the habeas corpus
We demand for the Individual the largest liber-
ty consistent with public order for the State self
| government, and for the nation a return to the
| methods of peace and the constitutional limita.
g. The civil service of the Government has be-
| come mere instrument of partisan tyranny and
personal ambition, and an object of selfish greed.
| II is scandal and reproech upon free institu-
tions, and breeds decentralization dangerous to
| the perpetuty of republican government
g. We therefore regard thorough reform of
the civil service as one of the most pressing me-
cessities of the hour; that honesty, capacity and
fidelity constitute the only valid claims to public
| employment; that the offices of the Government
4 cease TO be matter of arbitrary favoritism and
patronage, and that public station shall become
again a place of honor To this end it rs impera-
lively required that no President shall be a can
| ciidate for reelection.
4. We demand a system of Federal taxation
which shall not unnecessarily interfere with the
Il e III Ios1 -
| the means necessary to pay the expenses Of the
| Government, economically administered, the
pensions, the interest on the public debt, and a
moderate annual reduction of the principal
Thereof; and recognizing that there are in our
| midst honest and irrecOncilable differences of
opinion with regard to the respective systems of
Protection and Free Trade, we remit the discus
i sion of the subject to the people in their Con
gresSional Districts and the decision of Congress
thereon, wholly free from Executive interference
| or dictation. t --' .l.4 - 80 -
8. The public credit must be sacredly main
tanned, and we denounee reputation in every
1 9. A speedy return to specie payments is de-
manded alike by the highest considerations o.
commercial morality and honest government
| 10. We remember with gratitude the heroisn
| and sacrifices of the soldiers and sailors of the
/ Republic, and no act of ours shall ever detract
from their justly earned fame or the full reward
| of their patriotism eg.-+ - 49,
1 H. We are opposed to all further grants of lanC
| to railroads or other corporations. The public
| domains should be held sacred to actual settlers
| r. We hold that it is the duty of the Govern
| ment In its Intercourse with foreign nations II
cultivate the friendship of peace, by ueat1 nl
with all ON fair and equal terms regarding it alikt
| dishonorable either TO demand what's not rig b
| or submit to what is wrong ..-- ---..
| 10. For the promotion and success OF these
vital principles, and the support of the candldate
nominated by this convention, we invite and cor
citizens, without regard to previous political anil
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