The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-07-13
Liberal Republican Platform.
Address and Declaration of Principles
Adopted by the Convention of Liberal
Republicans in Cincinnati, May Ord
1879.

ing administration now III power has rend~
ered Itself guilty Of wanton disregard of the
laws OF the land, and has usurped powers
not granted by the Constitution. 1t has
acted as 1t the laws had binding force only
Tor those who are governed and not for those
who govern. 1t 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 opportunities of
ms nigh Office for the promotion of personal
ends. He has kept VIGOROUSLY corrupt and
unworthy men Ill places of power and re-
spohslollIty, to the detriment of the public
interest. He has used the public service OF
the government rs machinery of partisan
and personal influence. and interfcred with
tyrannleai arrogance in the political affairs
OF States and municipalities. He has re-
warded with influential and lucrative offices
lnen who had acquired his favor by valuable
presents, thus stimulating decentralization of
our polltie;I life by his conspicuous example.
He has shown himself deplorably uneouaI to
the tasks imposed upon him by the necessi-
Iies OF The country, and eulpably careless of
the responsibilities of his high office.
The partisans of the administration. as
Stunning to be the Republican party and con
trolilng Its organization, have attempted to
justify such wrongs and palliate such abuses.
to the end of maintaining party ascendancy.
They have stood in the way of necessary in
Yestigations and Indispensable reforms. pre-
Lending that no serious fault could be found
WITH the present administration of public
affairs, thus seeking to blind the ewes of fhe,
people. They have kept alive the passions
anu resentments of the late civil war to use,
them Tor their own advantage. They have.
resorted to arbitrary measures, in direct con-
fiict with the organic law, instead of appeal
ing TO the better instincts and latent patriot
! - OF the Southern people by restoring to
them those rights the enjoyment of which is
indispensable for successful administrator
OF their local affairs, and would tend to move
u patriotic and hopeful national feeling.
They have degraded themselves and the
name OF their party, once justly entitled to
the confidence of the nation, by d base syco
phancy to the dispenser of executive power
and patronage unworthy of Republican free,
men. They sought TO stitie the voice of just
criticism, to stlfie the moral sense of the peo-'
pie, and to subjugate public opinion by
tyrannical party discipline They are striy-
ing To maintain themselves in authority for
sel1lsh ends by an INSCRIPTIONS use of the
power which rightfuily belongs to the people,
and should be employed only in the service
of the country.
Believing that an organization thus led and
controlled can no longer be of service to the
best interests of the republic, we have re-
solved to make an independent appeal to tho
sober Judgment, conscience, and patriotism
OF the American people
THE DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
Therefore. We, the Liberal Republicans of
the United States, i'll National Convention
assembled at Cincinnati proclaim the fol-
towing principles 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 De.
0tp IN lnnfa OlIt nul1nI nd Ill
Of whatever nativity, race, color, or persua-
sion, religious or political.
= We pledge ourselves to maintain the
Union OF these States, emancipation, and en-
and to oppose any reopeuing
9f the questions settled by the Thirteenth.
tourteenth, and Fifteenth amendments to
lie Constitution.
B. We demand the immediate and ALSO
ute removal of all disabilities imposed ON ac-
count of the rebellion which was fin;tlIy snb-
tued seven years ago, believing that uni
iersal amnesty will result in complete paci.
ication in all sections of the country.
4. Local self-gOvernment, with impartial
suffrage, will guard the rights of all citizens
more securely than any centralized power
he public welfare requires the supremacy
II the civil over the military authority, and
reedom of person under the protection of
he habeas corpus. We demand for the in
iividual the largest liberty consistent with
public order, for the State selEgovernmenf.
md for the nation a return to the methods of
,caee and the constitutional limitations of
J0wer.
3. The civil service of the Government bas
,ecolne a mere instrument of partisan tyr
nny and personal ambition. and an object
It selfish greed. 1t is scandal and reproach
lpon free institutions, and breeds democrat
cation dangerous to the perpetuity of fepub-
lean government. Wetllerefore regard sueb
ICrh lnf nf sttrII
he most pressing necessities of the hour;
hat honesty, capacity, and fidelity eonsti-
ute the only valid claims to public employ
nent; that the offices of the Government
ease to be Il matter of arbitrary favoritism
nd patronage, and that public station be-
ONE again u post of honor. TO this end It
; imperatiyely required that no President
hall be u candidate for reelection.
o. We demand system of Federal fax
tiOn which shall not unnecessarily inter-
ere with the industry of the people, and
which shall provide the means necessary to
ay the expenses OF the Government, econo-
nically administered; the pensions, the in
crest ON the public debt, and u moderate re-
uctl0n annually OF the principal thereof:
nd recognizing that there are in orr midst,
onest but irreconcilable differences of opii-
Dns with regard to the respective systems of
rejection and free trade, we remit the dis
ussion OF the subject to the people. in their
congressional districts, and to the decision
t Congress thereon, wholly free of Execu-
i've interference or dictati0n
Z. The public credit must be sacresIK
and we denounee Reputation in
very form and guise.
3. A steady return to specie payment il
emanded alike by the highest considera-
ions OF commercial morality and honest
OycInmcnt.
3. We remember with gratitude the hero
M and sacrifices of the soldiers and sailors
the republic, and no act of ours shall ever
etract FROM their justly-earned fame, or the
Ill reward of their patriotism.
10. We are opposed to all further grants of
lnds to railroads or other corporations.
he public domain should be held sacred to
etual settlers.
IL. We hold that it is the duty of the Gov
III its intercourse with foreign ma
ons, to cultivate the friendship of peace, by
eating with all Oh fair and equal terms. re-
arding it alike dishonor;lhle either to de-
and what is not right, or to submit to what
wrong.
IL. For the promotion and success of these
ital principles aud the support of the can
idates nominated by this Convention, We
lvite and cordially welcome the eo-opera-
on of all patriotic citizens, without regard
, previous affiliations