The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1872-07-19
THE PLATFORM.

The following is the Platform adopted by
the Liberal Republicans at Cincinnati, and
with the preamble re-affirmcd and presented
to the Democratic party by the National
Democratic Convention:
1--WE, the democratic electors of the United
States, in convention assembled, do present
the following principles, already adopted at
Cincinnati, as essential TO just government
First-We recognize the equality of all
men before the law, and hold that it is the
| duty OF the government, in its dealings with
| the people, TO mete out equal and exact ins.
tice 10 all, of whatever nativity, race, color,
persuasion, religious or political
! Second-We pledge ourselves TO maintain
the unisn of these States, emancipation and
| Embarrassment, and to oppose any reopen
| ing of the questions settled by the thirteenth,
fourteenth and fifteenth amendments of the
constitution.
| Third-Wc demand the immediate and alb
solute removal Of all disabilities imposed ON
account of the rebellion, which was finally
subdued seven years ago, believing that uni
versal amnesty will result in the complete
pacification of all sections of the country
Fouth-Local selfgovernment, with inn
partial suffrage, will guard the rights of all
citizens more securely than any centralized
power. The public welfare requires the su-
premacy of the civil over the military author
ity, and the freedom of persons under the
protection ofthe habeas corpus. We demand
for the individual the largest liberty consist
ent with public order for the States selfgov.
eminent, and for the nation a return to the
methods of peace and the constitutional lin.
ilations of power.
| Fifth-The civil service of the government
has become mere instrument Of partisan
tyranny and personal ambition, and an OBJ
ject of selfish greed. 1t is q scandal and re-
proach upon our free institutions, and breeds
decentralization dangerous to the pcrpetuity
of republican government. We therefore re-
gard thorough reform of the civil service
as one of the most pressing necessities of the
hour; that honor, capacity and fidelity con-
stitute the only valid claims to public en-
ployment; that the offices of the government
cease to be matter of arbitrary favoritsm
and patronage and that public stations be-
come again posts of honor. To this end it is
imperatively required that no President shall
be n candidate for reelection.
SiXth-We demand system of federal
taxation which shall not unnecessarily inter-
ferc with the industry of the people, and
which shall provide means necessary to paw
the expenses of the government, economically
administered, pensions, the interest on the
public debt, and moderate reduction, annu.
ally, of the principal thereof, and recognizing
that there are in our midst honest, but ire.
concllable differences of opinion with regard
| to the respective systems of protection and
| free trade, we remit discussion of the subiec,
to the people in their congressional districts
and TO the decision of Congress thereon
wholly free OF executive interference or die.
tation.
Seventh-Thc public credit must be sacred.
ly maintained, and we denounce Reputation
in every form and guise.
Eighth-A speedy return to specie pay
ments is demanded alike by the highest con.
siderations of commercial morally and hon.
est government.
Ninth-We remember with gratitude the
heroism and sacrifice of the soldiers and sail
ors of the republic, and no act of ours shall
ever dctract from their justly earned fame OF
the full reward of their patriotism.
Tenth-We are opposed to all further
| grants of lands to railroads or other corpora.
tons. The public domain should be held
sacred to actual sttlers.
Eleventh-We hold that it is the duty oil
the government, in its intercourse with for.
eign nations, to cultivate the friendship OF
peace by treating with all on fair and equal
terms, regarding it alike dishonorabe either
to demand what is not right or to submit tc
what is wrong.
Twelfth-For the promotion and success oil
these vital principles, and the support of the
candidates nominated by this convention, We
invite and cordially welcome the co-opera
ton of all patriotic citizens, without regard
to previous political utilization.