Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1872-06-14
The Republican Platform.

june, 1872 again declares It's faith. appeals TO
lis history, aud hnBo unces its position upon
the questions before the country
First. During eleven years Of supremacy it
has accepted, with grand courage, The solemn
dates Of the time II suppressed gigantic
rebellion, emanclpnted four million OF slaves,
decretd the equal citizenship of nIl and esiab-
lished universal suffrage Exhibiting unpar-
. alleed masnenimiiy it crminally punished
no man for political oiiensrs and warmly well
coined all who proved loyalty by oheyng the
llws and de ding justly with their neighhors.
II has steadily decreased, with q firm hand,
the resultant disorders OF n great war, and
initiated wise and humane policy towards
the Indians. The Pacific railroad and similar
vssl enterprises have been generously aided
and successfully conducted The public lands
have ! cen freely given TO actual settlers, i'm
migration protected and encouraged, and n
full acknowledgment of natnraztd citizens
rights secured from European powers. uni
form national currency has been oyided, re-
pudaion frowncd down, the national credit
sustained under the most extraordinary bur-
ders aud new bonds negotiated at lower rates.
The revenue has been carefully collected and
honestly applied. Despite the annual large
reduction OF the rates Of taxation, the public
debt has beer reduced during General Grants
administration at the rate of one hundred
millions year. Great financial crises have
! been avoided, and peace aud plenty prevail
| throughout the land. menaciDg foreign diff
culties peaceahly aud honornhly compromised,
and the honor and power Of The nation Kept in
high respcct throughout the world This re-
cord of the past is the party best pledge for
the future. We believe that the people will
not entrust the government 10 any party or
combination Of men composed partly Of ihose
who have resisted every step Of this beneficial
progress.
| Second Complete liberty and exact cquali-
| ~ auin ,,f .,f
public rights should he established and eiiec-
TALLY maintained throughout the Union by
| efficient and appropriate State and federal leg
islation. Neither the law nor It's administers
ton should admit of any discrimination in
respect Of citizens by reason Of rare, creed,
color or precious condition OF servitudc
| Third. The recent amendments to the ma
| iiona constitution should he cordially sus-
tanned, because they are right, not merely toll
Grated because they arc law, and should bo
| carried out according TO their spirit by nppro-
pirate legislation, the enforcement Of which
can safely be trusted only so the pnrty that
| secured those amendments.
| Fourth. The national government should
seek to maintain an honorable peace with all
nations protecting its citizens everywhere,
and sympathzing with all people who strive
| for greater liberty.
Fifth. A system Of civil service under
which the subordinate positions Of The govern
ment are considered rewards for mere party
zeal, is fatally demoralizing, and we therefore
favor n reform OF the system BY laws which
shall abolish the evils Of patronage, aud make
honesty, efficiency aud fidelity the essential
qualifications for public positions, without
practically creating life tenure of office.
Sixth, We are opposed 10 further grants of
the public lapds TO corporations and mnnopo-
lies aud demand thoi the national domain be
set apart for free homes for the people.
Savantb Tho ynVa ftfr Inn
the current debt, should furnish moderate
balance for the reduction Of the principal, and
the revenues, except so much as may be deri-
we'd from tax on tobacco aud liquor, he rnis-
ed by duties upon importatons. the duties of
which should be so adjusted rs 10 aid in secur-
ing remuneratiye wages 10 labor and promote
the industries, prosperity and growth OF the
whole country.
Eighth. We hold in undy wing honor The SOL
diers and sailors " hose valor saved the Union
Their pensions are n sacred debt Of the nation.
| and the widows and orphans Of those who died
for their country are entitled to the care of u
generous aud grateful people. We favor such
| additional legislation rs viii extend the boun-
| ty Of the government to all our soldiers and
sailors who were honorahly discharged, and
| who in the line of duty became disabled, with
out regard 10 the length Of service or the cause
OF such discharge.
| Ninth. The doctrine of Great Britain and
other European powers concerning allegiance
| ''once n subject always a subject +" having at
last, through the efforts Of the republican par
ty, been abandoned, and the American idea Of
the individual s right TO transfer allegiance
having been accepted by European nations, it
is the duty Of our government 10 guard with
jealous care the right OF adorted citizens
against the assumption OF unauthorized claims
by their former governments, aud we urge
continued careful encouragement and protec-
ton OF voluntary emigration.
Tenth. The franking privilege ought 10 be
abolished, and the way prepared for speedy
reduction Of the rate of postage.
Eleventh. Among the questions which press
for attention is that which concerns the fcla-
ton Of capital aud abor. and the republican
party, recognize the duty Of so shaping legs-
lation as to secure protection and the amplest
field for capital, aud for labor, the creator of
capital, the largest opportunities and just
share Of the mutual profits Of these two great
elements Of civilization.
Twelfth We hold that Congress and tho
President have only fulfilled an imperative
duty in their measures for the suppression OF
violent and reasonable organizations in GER
tain lately rcbellous regions, and for the pro-
lection Of The ballot box, and therefore they
are entitled to the thanks Of the nation
Thirseenth. We denounce repudiaiion of
the public debt in any form or disguise as a
national crime We witness with pride the
| reduction OF the pflnclpll % lne utUtauu ratpS
| of interest on the balance, and confidently ex-
| pect our excellent national currency will be
| perfected By II speedy resumption OF specie
| payment.
Fourteenth. The republican party is mind
| ful Of its obligations TO the loyal women of
America for their noble devotion to the cause
Of freedom. Their Admission to wide field
Of usefulness Is viewed with satisfaction, and
the honest demands of anY class Of citizens for
additional rights should be treated with res
pectful consideration
Fifteenth. We heartily approve the action
OF Congress in extending amnesty TO those late
ly in rebellion, and rejoice ia the growth Of
peace and fraternal feelings thro out the land
Sixteenth. The republican party propose
TO respect the rights reserved by the people to
themselves az carefully MS the powers delegated
by them 10 the States and 10 the federal gov
eminent. II disapproyes Of the resort to I'M
constitutional laws for the purpose Of remov-
ing evils by interference with rights not sur
rendered By the people to either the States or
national government.
Seventeenth. II is the duty Of the general
government TO adopt such measures as will
tend 10 encourage American commerce and
shpbuiIding.
Eighteenth We believe that the modest
patriotism, the earnest purpose. the sound
Judgment, the practical wisdom, the ineorrup-
tible integrity and the ilusfrious services OF
Ulysses S. Grant have commended him 20 the
hearts Of the people. sai with him ~ our
bead We start to-day upon a neN march TO
victory.