The semi-weekly Republican. (St. Francisville, La.) 1872-1872, 1872-09-17
Libreale republican Platform

ADDRESS AND DECLARATION OF PRINCE
PIES ADOPTED BY THE CONVENTION or
LIBERAL kEpUBl ANS IN CINClSNAI
MAY BIRD 1872.
THE ADDRESS.
The administration now in power
has rendered itself guilty of Nanton
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. It has thus struck
a blow at the fundamental principles
of constitutional government, and
the liberties of the citizens.
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 KEEP; 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
q machinery Of partisan and person.
al influence, and interfered with ty-
rannical arrogance in the political
affairs of States and municipalities.
lie has rewarded with influential and
lucrative offices nen who had &C.
quired his favor by valuable presents,
thus stimulating decentralization 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 culpably careless of
the responsibilities Of his high Of
fee.
The partisans Of the ad1nin:stra-
ton, assuming to be the Republican
party and controlling its organiza-
ton, have attempted to justify such
wrongs and pailiate 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
eyes 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 af-
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 a base sycophancy to the
dispenser of executive power and
patronage unworthy Of Republican
freemen. They sought to stiilc the
voice of just criticism, to stitle the
moral sense of the people, and to
subjugate public opinion by tyran-
nical party discipline. They are
striving to maintain themselves in
authority for selfish ends by an un-
scrupulous Use of the power which
rightfully belongs to the people, and
should he employed only in the scr
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 to
make an Independent appeal to the
sober judgment, conscience, and pa
triotism Of the American people.
THE 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
/. We recognize the equality OF
all men before the law, and hold
that it is the duty of Government in
its dealings with the people to mete
out eqaul and exact instice to all, OF
whatever nativity, race, color, or
persuation, religious Or political.
2. We pledge ourselves to main-
tain the Union of these States,
emancipation, and enfranchisement,
and to oppose any reopeniny of the
questions settled by the Thirteenth,
Fourteenth and Fifteenth amend
nents to Il Q Constitution.
3. We demand the immediate
and absolute removal Of all disabili-
ties imposed on account Of the re-
bellion which was finally subdued !
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