Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-06-20
g9Ii5fellameuns &tadiua.

Wistellauepns &eading.
THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.
The Republican party of the United States
assembled in National Convention in the city
Of Philadelphia, on the 9th and 9th days Of
June, 1872, again declares its faith, appeals
to its history, and announces its position upon
the questions before the country. '
l. During eleven years Of supremacy it has
accepted with grand courage the solemn du-
ties of the time. It suppressed agigantic re-
bellion, emancipated four millions Of slaves,
decreed the equal citizenship of all, and estab-
lished universal suffrage. Exhibiting unpar.
alleled magnanimity, it criminally punished
no man for political offenses, and warmly well
coined all who proved loyalty by obeying the
laws and dealing Justly with their neighbors.
It has steadily decreased with firm hand the
resultant disorders of great war, and initia-
ted wise and humane policy toward the In
dians The Pacific Railroad, and similar
vast enterprises, have been generally aided
and successfully conducted the public lands
freely given to actual settlers; immigration
protected and encouraged, and full acknowl-
edgment of the naturalized citizens rights Sc
cured from European powers. A uniform
national currency has been provided, repudi-
alton frowned down, the national credit sus-
tained under most extraordinary burdens,
and new bonds negotiated at lower rates.
The revenues have been carefully collected
and honestly applied; despite annual large
reductions Of the rates of taxation, the public
debt has been reduced during Gen. Grants
Presidency at the rate Of hundred millions
a year great financial crises have been avoid.
ed, and peace and plenty prevail throughout
the land. Menacing foreign difficulties have
been peaceably and honorably composed, and
the honor and power of the nation kept in
high respect throughout the world. .''Esl $50
This glorious record of the past is the par
tys best pledge for the future. iWesbelieve
the people will not entrust the Government to
any party or combination of men composed
chiefly Of those who have resisted every step
of this beneficial progress. 'Gss.5 l,.'
2. Complete liberty and exact equality in
the enjoyment of all civil, political and public
rights should be established and eAsotually
maintained throughout the Union by efficient
and appropriate State and Federal legislation.
Neither the law nor its administration should
admit of any discrimination in respect of cit
liens, by reason Of race, creed, color, or pre-
vious condition of servitude. ,, ,.4 ff...
8. The recent amendments to the National
Constitution should be cordially sustained,
because they are right; not merely tolerated,
because they are law, and should be carried
outaccording to their spirit by appropriate
legislation, the enforcement Of which can
safely be entrusted only to the party that So
cured those amendments. .,.,..... IT,.
4. The National Government should seek to
maintain honorable peace with all nations, pro-
tect its citizens everywhere, and sympathise
with all people who strive for greater liberty.
8. Any system of the civil service under
which the subordinate positions Of the Gov
ernment are considered rewards for mere par
ty zeal is fatally demoralizing and we there
fore favor reform of the system by laws which
shall abolish the evils Of patronage, and make
honesty, efficiency, and fidelity the essential
qualifications for public positions, without
practically creating life.tenure Of Office.
g., We are opposed to further grants of
public lands to corporations and monopolies,
and demand that the national domain be set
apart for free homes for the people.
Z. The annual revenue, after paying cur
rent expenditures, pensions, and the interest
on the public debt, should furnish moderate
balance for the reduction Of the principal,
and the revenue, except so much as may be
derived from tax upon tobacco and liquors,
be raised by duties upon importations, the
duties of which should be so adjusted as to aid
in securing remunerative wages for labor, and
promote the industries, prosperity, growth,
and progress of the whole county.
8. We hold in undying honor the soldiers
and sailors whose valor saved the Union.
Their pensions are sacred debt Of the na-
ton; and the widows and orphans of those
who died for their country are entitled to the
care of generous and grateful people. We
favor such additional legislation as will ex-
tend the bounty of the Government to all our
soldiers and sailors who were honorably dis
charged, and when in the line Of duty became
disabled, without regard to the length Of SER
vice or the cause of such discharge.
The doctrine Of Great Britain and other
European powers concerning allegiance
"Once subject, always subject" having
at last, through the efforts Of the Republican
party, been abandoned, and the American idea
ofthe individuals rights to transfer 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 claim
Of their former Governments and we urge con-
tinual careful protection and encouragement
and protection Of voluntary immigration.
10. The franking privilege ought to be
abolished and the way prepared for a speedy
reduction of the rates Of postage.
II. Among the questions which press for
attention is that which concerns the relations
of capital and labor, and the Republican par
ty recognize the duty of so shaping legislation
as to secure full protection and the amplest
field for capital and for labor, the creator of
capital, the largest opportunities and a just
share of mutual profits of these two great SER
wants of civilization. .....
12 We hold that Congress and the Presi.
dent have only fulfilled an imperative duty
in their measures for the suppression of violent
and reasonable organizations in certain lately
rebellious regions, and for the protection of
the ballot-box, and therefore they are entitled
to the thanks Of the nation.
13. We denounce reputation Of the public
debt in any form or disguise, as national
crime We witness with pride the reduction
of the principal of the debt and the rates of in
crest upon the balance and confidently expect
that our national currency will be perfected
by speedy resumption of specie payment.
IA. The Republican party is mindful fits obli-
cations to the loyal women of America for their