The semi-weekly Republican. (St. Francisville, La.) 1872-1872, 1872-10-08
liberal Republican, Platform.
.nnprss AND DECLARATION or PRINCE
PIES ADOPTED By THE CONVENTION OF
LIBERAL REPUBLICANS IN CINCINNATI
MAY BID 1872.
THE ADDRESS.

80 Lie NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. liz" - E"S~
has rendered itself guilty of wanton
disregard of the law 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 for
those who govern. 1t has thus struck
1, blow at the fundamental principles
of constitutional government, aud
the liberties Of the citizens.
81, The President Of the United States
has openly used the powers and OPP
portunities Of his high office. for the
promotion Of personal ends. He
has kept VIGOROUSLY corrupt and I'm,
worthy men in places of power and
responsibility, to the detriment OF
the public interest He has used the
public service Of the Government as
a machinery Of partisan and person
al influence, and interfered with IT,
rannical arrogance in the political
affairs of States and municipalities.
He has rewarded with influential and
lucrative offices men who had ac-
CURED his favor by valuable presents,
thus stimulating generalization OF
our political life by his conspicuous
example. He has shown himself
deplorably unequal to the tasks i'm.
posed upon him by the necessities OF
the country, and culpnbly careless OF
d the responsibilities Of his high Of
] fee.
The partisans Of the administra-
ton, assuming to be the Republican
party and controlling its organiza-
ton, have attempted to justify such
wrongs and palliate such abuses, to
the end Of maintaining party ascen-
dancy. They have stood in the way
of necessary Investigations and in
.dispensable reforms, pretending 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 resentments
OF the late civil war to use them for
their own advantage. They have
-, resorted to arbitrary measures, in
-. direct conflict with the organize law,
instead OF appealing to the better
instincts and latent patriotism OF the
Southern people by restoring to
them those rights the enjoyment OF
which is indispensable for a success
full administration Of their local at
fairs, and would tend to move a pa
triotic and hopeful national feeling:
They have degraded themselves and
the name Of their party, once justly
entitled to the confidence Of the ma
ton, by base sycophancy to the
dispenser of executive power and
patronage unworthy of Republican
freemen. They sought to stitle the
voice of just criticism, to stifle the
moral sense of the people, and to
subiugate public opinion by tyran-
meal party discipline. They are
striving to maintain themselves in
authority for selfish ends by an un.
scrupnlous use Of the power which
rightfully belongs to the people, and
should be employed only in the ser.
vice of the country.
Believing that an organization
thus led and controlled can no long.
er be of service to the best interests
of the republic, we have resolved tc
make an independent appeal to the
sober Judgment, conscience, and pa
triotism of the American people.
TIE DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
Therefore, we, the Liberal Repub
licans of the United States, in Ma
tional Convention assembled at Gin
cinnati, proclaim the following prin
ciples as essential to just Govern
ment
l. We recognize the equality 0
all men before the law, and hol(
that it is the dutv Of Government il
its dealings with the people to met
out eqaul and exact instice to all, o
whatever nativity, race, color, O.
persuation, religious or political.
z. we piedpe ourselves W iAaiu
tain the Union Of these States
emancipation, and Acknowledgement
and to oppose any reopening of thu
questions settled by the Thirteenth
Fourteenth and Fifteenth amend
ments to the Constitution.
3. We demand the immediate
and absolute removal Of all disabili
ties imposed on account of the re
bellion which was finally subduet
seven years ago, believing that uni
versal amnesty will result in com
plete paci6cation in all sections Q
the country.
4. Local self-government, wit
impartial suffrage. will guard tn
rights Of all citizens more securel
than any centralized power. Th
,,ub1io xvn1foro ro1,,1;roc tho e,l1nroyn