New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-11-01
THE CINCINNATI ADDRESS AND FLAT
FORM
THE ADDRESS.

itself guilty Of wanton disregard Of the laws Of the
land. and usurped powers not granted by the Con-
sttution. it has acted as If the laws had binding
force only for those who are governed and not for
those who govern. II has thus struck blow at the
fundamental principles of constitutional govern
ment and the liberty of the citizen. The President
Of the United States has openly used the powers and
opportunities of his high Office for the promotion Of
personal ends. He has kept VIGOROUSLY corrupt and
unworthy men in places of power and responsibility
TO the detriment Of the public interest. He
has used the public service of the Govern
ment as a machinery of partisan and per
sonal influence, and inteIfered with tyran-
meal arrogance 10 the political affairs of States and
municipalities. He has rewarded with Influential
and lucrative Offices who had acquitted his favor
by valuable presents thus stimulating demornliza-
tion of political life by his conspicuous example
he has shown himself deploxably unequal 10 the
tasks imposed upon him by the necessities of the
country and culpaby careless of the responsibilities
Of his high Office. The partisans of the Administer
tiOn assuming to be the Republican party, and con-
trolling its organization, have attempted to justify
such wrongs and paliate such abuses to the end Of
maintaining partisan ascendency. They have stood
in the way of necessary investigations and indis-
pensable reforms, pretending that 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 re-
sentiments Of the late civil war; TO them for their
own advantage.
They have resorted to arbitrary measures in direct
conflict with the organic law, instead of appealing
10 the better instincts and latent patriotism of the
Southern people by restoring to them those rights
the enjoyment of which is indispensable for a sue
cessful administration Of their local affairs, and
would tend to move patriotic and hopeful national
feeling They have degraded themselves and the
name Of their party justly entitled to the con-
fidence Of the nation, by base sycophancy TO the
dispenser of Executive power and patronage I'M
worthy of Republican freemen; they have sought to
stie the voice of just criticism, 10 stite the moral
sense of the people, and to subugate public opinion
by tyrannical party discipline. They are striving
to maintain themselves in authority for selfish ends
by an INSCRIPTIONS use of the power which right
fully belongs TO the people and should be employed
only in the service of the country Believing that
an organization thus led and controlled no
longer be of service to the best interests of the Re
public we have resolved to make an independent
appeal to the sober judgment, conscience. aed pat
riotism of the American people,
4 THE PLATFORM.
We the Liberal Republicans of the United States
in National Convention assembled at Cincinnati,
proclaim the following principles essential to Just
government
First: We recognize the equality of all men before
the law and hold that it is the duty Of Government
in it's dealings with the people, 10 mete out equal
and exact justice to ALL of whatever nativity. race
color or persuasion, religions or political.
Second: We pledge ourselves 70 msintsn the
Union Of these States emancipation and enfranchse-
nent, and to oppose any reopening of the questions
settled by the Thirteenth Fourteenth and Fifteenth
Amendments IN the Constitution.
Third We demand the immediate and absolute
removal Of all disabilities imposed en- account Of the
Rebellion. which finally subdued seven years
ago bAlaving that universal amnesty will result IN
complete pae1tcatia iss al ssst's..- 81 ~ :4;t
F5NT1 Local self-government, win lmpartlai
sufrage will guard the rights OF all citizens more
securely than any centralized power. The public
welfare requires the supremacy Ot the civil over the
military authority and freedom Of person under the
protectiOn of the habeas corpus We demand iOr
the individual the largest liberty consistent with
public order: for the State, self-govemmeut, aud
for the nation return to the methods of peace and
the constitutional limitations OF power
Fifth: The Civil Service Of the Government has
becomc a mere instrument of partisan tyranny and
personal ambition and an object of selfish greed IL
is scandal and reproach upon free Institutions and
breeds decentralization dangerous 10 the perpetuity
| of republican government. We therefore regard
snch thorough reforms Of the Civil Service one OF
the most pressing necessities of the hour that hon
esty capacity and fidelity constitute the only Wand
claim tn public employment that the offices OF the
Government cease 20 be matter Of arbitrary favor
itisu and patronage and that public station become
again post of honor To this end it is nperatyely
reouired that no President shall be candidate for
reelection
!siytL We demand a system of Federal taxation
| which shall not unnecessarily interfere with the
industry of the people. and which shall provide the
means necessary TO pay the expenses Of the Govern
| ment economically administered. the pensions, the
interest Oh the public debt, and moderate reduc-
ton annually Of the principal thereof and. recog-
nizing that there are in our midst honest out
irreconcilabe differences of opinion with regard 70
the respectiye systems Of Protection and Free Trade
we remit the discussion OF the subject to The people
in their Congress Districts and 20 the decision Of
Congress thereon. wholly Tree OF Executive hter-
ference OF dictatiOn.
Sepenth The public credit must be sacfediy maui
tan.d. and We dsuounoe Reputation in every form
and guse
EiohfL A speedy return TO specie PAYMENTS de-
manded alike by the highest considerations OF com
| mercial morality and honest government.
| Ninth We remember with gratitude the heroism
! and sacrifices of the soldiers and Sailors Of the
Republic and no act of ours shall ever detract from
their Justly eafnod fame the full reward OF their
/ patriotism.
! Tenth: We are opposed to all further grants Of
lands to railroads or other corporations The public
! domain should be held sacred 10 actual settlers.
! ElereRh We hold that il is the duty of the Gov
eminent IN its intercourse with foreign nations. 10
cultivate the friendship of peace by treating with
all fair and equal terms, regarding IL alike dis
honorable either TO demand what is not right or TO