The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-08-07
PLATFORM OF THE NATIONAL REPUB-
LICAN PARTY

Phlladelphia, on the 9th and Gth days or June,
! 1872, again declares its faith, appeals TO its
history, and announces its position upon the
| questions before the country.
First.--During eleven years of supremacy it
| has accepted, with grand courage, the solemn
duties of the times It suppressed a gigantic re-
bellion emancipated 1000 900 of slaves; decreed
the equal citizenship ofa and established univer
sal suffrage; exhibiting unparalleled magma
nimity, it criminally punished no man for poti-
calofences, and warmly welcomed all who proved
their loyalty by obeying the laws and dealing
| creased, with firm hand the result and disorders
of great war, and initiated wise policy toward
the Indians. The Pacific railroad and similar
vast enterprises have been generously aided and
| successfully conducted; the public land freely
given to actual settlers; immigration protected
and encouraged, and q full Acknowledgement of
the naturalized citizens right secured from Euro
pean powers uniform national currency has
been provided; Repatriation frowned down, the
national credit sustained under most extraordi-
nary burdens, and new bonds negotiated at lower
rates. The revenues have been carefully col
lected and honestly applied, despite annual
large reductions Of rates of taxation, the
public debt has been reduced, during Gen
eral Grants Presidency, at the rate of a
hundred millions year; great financial crisis
have been avoided and peace and plenty pre-
vail throughout the land; menacng foreign diff
posed, and the honor and the power of the ma.
tion kept in high respect throughout the
world. This glorious record of the past, is
the party's best pledge for the future. We be-
to any party, or combination of men. composed
chiefly of those who resisted every step of this benz
eficial progress.
Second-Complete liberty and exact equali-
ty in the enjoyment of all civil, political
and public rights should be established and
effectually maintained throughout the Union, by
efficient and appropriate State and Federal legis-
lation neither the law nor the administration
should admit OF any discrimination in respect of
citizens by reason of race, creed, colored or pre-
yious condition of servitude 30 al.fs.a 7lr8
bi,T- The amendments the Nntlo-
nal Constitution, should be cordially sustained,
because they are right, not merely tolerated be-
cause they are law, and should be carried out ac-
cordng to the spirit by appropriate Legislation, the
enforcement of which can safely be entrusted only
to the party that secured those amendmer is.
Fom3h.--The National Government should
seek to maintain honorable peace with all ma
tions, protecting its citizens everywhere, and
sympathizing with all peoples who strive
for greater liberty.
FVsh-Any system of the civil service under
which the subordinate positions of the Gov
eminent are considered reward 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, efficiency, and fidelity the essen
tial qualifications for public position, without
practically creating life tenure of office. ~
Siath.-We are opposed to further grants of the
public lands to corporations and monopoes, and
demand that the national demain be set apart
for free homes.for the people, The annual rev
enue, after paying current debt. should furnish
4 moderate balance. ..t...4 co.
Sepenth.-The annual revenues, after paying
the current debt, should furnish moderate
balance for the reduction of the principal,
and the revenue, except so much as may be
derived from a tax on tobacco and
liquors, be raised by duties upon importation;
the duties of which should be SO adjusted as to
aid in securing remunerative wages, TO labor,
and promote the growth, industries, and pross'
periiy of the whole country. .let..l s..ta
Eighth.--We hold in undying honor the soldiers
and sailors whose valor saved the Union. Their
pensions are u sacred debt of the nation, and he
widows and orphans of those who died for their
country are entitled to the care of an additional
legislation as will extend the bounty Of the Gov
ernment to all our soldiers and sailors who were
honorably discharged, and whoi n the time of
duty, became disabled, without regard to the
length of service or the cause of such discharge.
Mnth.-The doctrine of Great Britain and other
European Powers concerning allegiance. sOnee
n subject always subject" having at last,
through the efforts of the Republican party, been
abandoned, and the American idea of the right
to transfer allegiance having been accepted by
European nations, 1t is the duty of our Govern
ment to guard with jealous care the right of
adopted citizens against the assumption Of unau-
thorized claims by their former Government,
and we urge continual careful encouragement
and protection of voluntary immigration.
Tenth.--The franking privilege ought to be abol-
ished and the way prepared for speedy reduc-
ton in the rate of postage. oti
MISUNDERSTANDING 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 to
secure full protection and the amplest field for
capital and for labor, the creator of capital, the
largest opportunities and just share of the mn
tual profits OF these two great servants of ciVlZa-
ton. a++
Ttoelf1h--we hold that Congress and the Pres
dent have only fulfilled imperative duty in
their measures for the suppression of violent and
reasonable organizations IN certain lately rebel
iious regions and for the protection of the ballot
box, and therefore they are entitled to the thanks
of the nation. nc fN'' y a
Inirteeath-We denounce the Reputation Of
the public debt in any form or disguise as ma
tional crime. We witness with pride the reduce
ton of the principal of the debt and of the rates
of interest upon tho balance, and confidently
peet that orr excellent national currency will be
perfected by speedy resumption of specie pay
ments. .,,-l.,
Fou,teenth.--The Republican party Is mindful
fits obligations 10 the loyal women of America
for their noble donation 10 the cause of freedom,
their admission to the wider fields of usefulness
is viewed with satisfaction, and the honest de
mands of any class of citizens for additional
rights should betreated with respectful considera
ton
Fitee,th.-We heartily approve the action of
Congress in extending amnesty to those lately in
rebellion, and rejoice in the growth of peace and
fraternal feeling throughout the land.
Sirteenth.-The Republican party propose to
respect the rights reserved by the people to
themselves as carefully us the powers delegated
by them to the State and to the Federal Govern
ment. 1t dsapproyes of the resort to unconsti-
tutional laws for the purpose of removing evils
by interference with rights not surrendered by
the people to either the State or National Gov
eminent. r. tt-f
Seversteenth.- 1t is the. duty of the General
Government to adopt sneh measures will tend
to encourage American commerce and ship
building ft"ttf H3'
EighteenH.--We believe that the modest pat
riotism, the earnest purpose, the sound judg--
ment, the practical wisdom, the lncorruptiblein-
tegrity aud the ilustrious services of ULYSSES s.
Grant, have commended him to the heart of the
American people, and with him at our head we
stand to-day upon new march to victory.