Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1872-06-13
The Republican, Platform.

& The following is the text of the admi-
rable platform adopted by the Republi-
cans at Philadelphia: /;
The Republican party of the United
States assembled in National convention
in the city of Philadelphia on the 9Th and
9th day Of June, 1872, again declares its
faith and appeals to its history, and an
nounces its position upon questions before
the country.
First-duriEg eleven years supremacy
it has accepted with grand courage the
solemn duties of. the time. 1t has sup
pressed a gigantic rebellion. emancipated
four million of slaves, decreed the equal
citizenship of all, and established univer-
sal suffrage. Exhibiting unparalleled mag
nanimity, it criminally punished no man
for political .~offenses, and warmly welcome
all who proved their loyalty by obeying
the laws and dealing justly with their
neighbors. 1t has steadily decreased with
a firm hand the resultant disorders of the
great war, and intimated. a wise policy
toward the Indians. The Pacific railroad
and similar vast enterprises have been.
generally aided and successfully conduct
ed, the public lands freely given to actual
settlers. immigration protected and en-
couraged, and a full acknowledgment of
the rights of naturalized citizens secured
from European powers. A uniform ma
tional currency has been provided, repu-
diation frowned down, the national credit
sustained under the most extraordinary
burdens and new bonds negotiated at low
er rates. The revenues have been care
fully collected and honestly applied. De-
spite the annual large reductions of rates
of taxation. the public debt has been re-
duced during Gen, Grants Presidency at
the rate of one hundred million dollars a
year. a great financial crisis has been
averteo, and peace aud plenty prevcil
throughout the land. Menacing foreign
difficulties have been peacefully and hon.
orally compromised, and the honor and
power of the nation kept in high respect
throughout the world. This glorious rec
ord of the past is the party's best pledge
of the future. We believe that the PEE
pie will not intrust the Government. to
any party or combination of men compos-
ed chiefly of those who have resisted every
step of this beneficial progress.
Second-Complete liberty and exact
equality in the enjoyment of all civil, po-
litical and public rights should be estab-
lished and effectually maintained through
out the Union by efficient and appropriate
State and Federal legislation. Neither
the law nor ITS administration should ad-
nit of any discrimination in respect to
citizens by reason of race, creed, color, or
previous condition of servitude.
Third-The recent amendments to the
National Constitution shonld be cordially
sustained because they are right. not
merely tolerated because they are law
and should be carried out according to the
spirit, by appropriate legislation, the en-
forcement of which can be safely trusted
only to the party that secured those
amendments. g
Fourth-The National Government
should seek to maintain an honorable
peace with all nations. protecting its citi-
zens everywhere. and sympathize with all
peoples who are striving for greater lib
erty. 1851
Fifth-Any system Of civil service un-
der which the subordinate positions of the
Government are considered rewards for
mere party zeal is fatally demoralizing :
and we therefore favor a reform of the
system by laws which shall abolish the
evils of patronage, and make honesty, eff
cheney and fidelity essential quali6ca-
tions for public position, without praeti-
cally creating a life tenure of office.
Sixth-We are opposed to further
grants of public lands to public corpora
tons and ~monopolies. and demand that
the national domain be set apart for free
homes for the people.
Seventh-The annual revenues, after
paying current debts, should furnish a
moderate balance for the reduction of the
principal of the public debt and the
revenue, except so much as may be de-
rived from a tax on tobacco and liquors,
should be raised by duties on importa
tons, the duties of which should be so
adjusted as to aid in securing remunera-
tive wages to labor and promote the in
dustries. growth, and prosperity of the
whole country. aasS
Eighth-Wc-hold in u%ndying honor
the soldiers and sailors whose valor saved
the Union. Their pensions are a sacred
debt of the nation; and the widows and
orphans of those who died for their coun-
try are entitled to the care of a grateful
and generous people. We favor such adj
ditional legislation as will extend the
bounty of the Government to all our SOL
diers and sailors who were honorably dis
charged, and who, in the lire of duty,
became disabled, without regard to the
length of service or the cause of such dis
charge. i
.Ninth-The doctrine Of Great Britain
and other European powers concerning at
legiance, .'once a subject always a sub
iect," having, at last through the efforts
of the Republican party, been abandoned,
and the American idea of an individuals
right 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 Government and
we urge the continued and careful en-
enlargement and protection of voluntary
immigration.
Tenth-The franking privilege ought
to be abolished. and the way prepared for
a speedy reduction in the rates of postage.
Eleyenth-Amnng the questions which
press for attention is that which concerns
the relations of capital and labor; and
the Republican party recognize the duty
of so shaping legislation as to secure the
full protection and amplest field for CAPT
tai, and for labor, the creator of capital,
the largest opportunities and a just share
of the mutual profits of these two great
SCI wants of civilization.
Twelfth-We hold that Congress and
IL DID, I---1- c-1ElloI 90 --I