The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1872-06-13
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL PLArToRM
Adopted At Philadolphia, Juno 9th,
1874.

@S0A VOAAVAN NAAAVNA4 AAACVnms
Adopted 1T Philadelphia, June eth,
1874.
The Republican party of the United
States, assembled in National Conven.
ton in the city of Philadelphia,
on the 5th and 9Th days Of June, 1872,
again declares its faith, appeals to its
history, and announces its position upon
the questions before the country.
l. During the eleven years of its
supremacy it has accepted with grand
courage the solemn duties of the time.
1t suppressed a gigantic rebellion,
emancipated 100000 slaves, decreed
the equal citizenship Ct all and estab.
lished universal suffrage, exhibiting
unparalleled magnan,mity. It crimi.
naly punished no man for political Of.
tense, AID warmly welcomed all wb ,
proved their loyalty by obeyiog the
laws and dealing justly with their neigh
bors. 1t has steadily decreased With
firm hand the resultant disorders of
the great war, add indicated wise
policy towards the Indians. The Pacific
railroad and similar vast enterprises
have been generally aided and saccess-
fully conducted. The public lands
have been freely given to actual set
tiers, immigration protected and en-.
Outraged, and foil acknowledgment
Of naturslized citizens rights secured
from European powers. A uniform ma.
tional currency has been provided, re.
pudiation frowned down, tho national
credit sustained under the most OK.
trsordinary burdens. and new bonds ne
gotiated at lower rates. The revenues
have been carefully collected and hon.
estly applied; despite the annual large
reductions of the rates of taxation, the
public debt has been reduced during
Gen. Grants Presidency st the rate Of
Que hundred millions of dollars year
q great financial crisis has been averted,
aud peace and plenty prevail through
out the land. Menaoing foreign diff.
ficulties have been peacefully and
honorably compromised, aud the
honor and power of the nation kept in
high respect throughout the world.
This glorious record OF the past is the
party's best pledges for the future.
We believe the people will not iutrust
the government to any party or COM
bination Of men composed chiefly of
those who have resisted every step Of
this beneficial progress.
2. Complete liberty and exact
equality in the enjoyment of all civil,
political and public rights should be
established and effsctually maintained
throughout the Union by efficient aud
appropriate State and federal legisla-
ton, Neither the law nor its admins
tration should admit Of any uiscrimin.
alton in respect to any citizen by reason
OF race, creed, color or previous con.
dition of scrvitude.
8. The recent amendments to the
National Constitution should be oordi-
ally sustained because they are right,
not merely liberated because they are
the law, and should be carried out,
according to their spirit, by appropri.
ate legislation, the enforcement Of
which can be safely trusted only to
the psrty that secured those amend
ments.
4. The national government should
seek to maintain an honorable peace
With all nations, protecting its citizens
every where, and sympathiz'ng with all
peoples who strive for greater liberty.
.. ANY system OF civil service un-
der which the subordinate positions of
the government are considered rewards
for mere party zeal is fifty demoralizipg,
and we therefore favor reform of the
system by laws Which shall abolish the
evils ofpatronage, and make honesty
efficiency and fidelity essential qunlifi-
cations for public positions, without
practically Creating life tenure Of Of,
fee.
6. We are opposed further
grants Of public lands to corporations
and mouopolies, and demand that ma.
tional domain be set apart for free
homes for the people.
Z. The annual revenues, after paying
current debts should furnish moderate
balance for the reduction of the prin-
ciFal, aud the revenue, except So much
as may be derived from tax on TO-.
bacco and liquors, should be raised by
duties on importations, the duties OF
which should be so adjusted as to
aid in securing remuneratlve wages to
labor, and promote tho industries,
growth and prosperity of tho whole
country.
8. We hold IN undying honor the SOL
diers and sailors whose valor saved the
Union. Their pensions are a sacred debt
OF tue nation, and the widows and Or
phans of those who died for their cum
try are entitled to the care OF a generous
and grateful people, and we favor such
additional legislation as will extend
the bounty Of the government to all
our soldiers and sailors who were hon
orably discharged, and who in the line
Of duty became disabled without regard
to the length of service OF cause of
SUCH discharge.
y. 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
an individuals ight to transfer his
allegiance having been accepted by
European nations, it is the duty of our
government to guard with jealous care
the rights Of adopted citizens against
the assumption Of unauthorized claims
by their former governments, and We
urge continual and careful encourage
ment and protection to voluntary i'm.
migration.
10. The frankiog privilege ought to
be abolished and the vay prepared for
speedy reduction in the rates of
postage.
IL. Among the questions which
press for attention is thai which con-
Germs the relations OF capital and labor,
and the Republican party recognize
the duty of SO shaping Legislation as to
secure full protection and the amplest
field for capital, and for labor, the