Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-05-10

ing one OF the most imposing bodies IN In
tellect and numbers that ever assembled in
the Country. After but short delibera-
ton, it nominated its Candidates
For Presidem-HoRAcE GREELEY, of
New York
For Vice residemt-Gov. B. GRAFT
Brown, of Missouri.
The platform adopted is as follows:
First-We recognize the equality Of all
men before the law, and hold that it is the
duty of the Government in its dealings with
the people to mete out equal and exact JUS
tice TO all Of whatever nativity, race, color
or persuasion, religious or political.
Second-We pledge ourselves to maintain
the Union of these States, emancipation and
enfranchisement, and to oppose any reopen
ing of the questions settled by the Thir
tenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amend
ments of the Constitution.
Third-Wes demand the immediate and
absolute removal of all disabilities imposed
on account Of the rebellion, which was final
ly subdued seven years ago, believing. that
universal amnesty will result in the complete
pacifcation Of all sections Of the country.
Fourth-Local self government, with iln-
partial suffrage, will guard tho rights Of all
citizens more securely than any centralized
power. The public welfare requires the su-
premacy of the civil over the military author
ity, and the freedom Of person under the
protection Of the habeas corpus. We de-
mand for the individual the largest liberty
consistent with public order, for the States
selfgovernment, and for the nation return
to the methods of peace, and the constitu-
ton Limitation of power
Fifth-The civil service of the Govern
ment has become m"re instrument of par
tisan tyranny aud personal ambition, and
an object of selfish greed It is a scandal
and reproach upon our free Institutions, and
breeds a demoralz ti'n dangerous, to the
perpetuity of republican government. We,
therefore, regard thorough reform of the
civil service as one OF the most pressing ne
cessities of the hour that honesty, capacity
and fidelity constitute the ony valid claims
to public employment; that the officers of
the Government cease to be matter of ar
bitrary favoriteism and patronage, ana that
public stations become again posts of honor.
To this end it is imreratively required that
no President shall be a candidate for reelec
| ton.
Sixth--We demand system of Federal
| taxation which shall not unnecessarily inter.
fere with the industry of the people, and
which shall provide means necessary to pay
the expenses Of the Government, economi
cally administered, pensions. the interest on
the public debt, aud moderate reduction
annually of the principal thereof, and recog.
uizing that there are in our midst honest,
but irreconcilable differences Of opinion with
regard to the respective systems Of protection
and free trade, we remit discussion of the
subject to the people in their Congressional
districts, and to tie decision of Congress
thereon, wholly free of Executive interfer
ence or dictation.
Seventh-The public credit must be sa.
credly maintained, end we denounce repudi.
alton in every form and guse.
Eighth-A speedy return to specie pay
ments is demanded alike by the highest con.
siderations of commercial morality and hon.
est 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 earned
fame Or the full reward of their patriotism.
| grants Of lands to railroads OF other corpo
rations. The public domain should be held
sacred 70 actual settlers
| Eleventh-We hold that it is the duty OF
| the Government in its intercourse with for.
| eign nations to eslfgate the friendship oil
peace by treating with all Oh fair and equal
terms, regarding it alike dishonorable eth
er to demand what is not right, or to sub.
nit to what is wrong.
Twelfth-For the promotion ard success
of these vital principles, and the support of
the candidates nominated by this Conyen-
ton, We invite and cordially welcome the co.
operation Of all patriotic citizens without re-
gard to previous political affiliations.
There is a considerable difference Of opin.
ion in the Democratic press Of the Country
on this ticket. Some of the Northern Dem
ocratic journals are calling for Democrat
ic nation-others are in favor of not
making nomination, while the South ern
Democratic and Conservative press are
largely in favor Of supporting the Liberal
Republican nominees.
The whole country seems to be DESTROYS
of Riding itself Of the incubus which has
been and would be upon it by the contuu-
ance OF the present administration in power,
and, though we can not subscribe to the above
platform in detail, yet as republican plat
form it is fairer than any heretofore presen'-
ed by that party, aud much more accepta-
BILE to the whole country tl'an any platform
likely to be adopted at Philadelphia. We,
therefore. feel free to to say that. as between
Greeley and Brown, and Grant and Colfax,
if they be the nominees Of the Radical wing,
and no other ticket IL the field, we decided
ly prefer the former.
Whether there will be another ticket pre-
sented by the Democratic party is icing de-
bated. 1t is argued that experience in the
case of Walker, Brown and other Governors
counsels no nomination, and, as the Democ-
racy hold the balance of power, they can
utterly demolish the Radical wing of the
party with the Liberal Nominees and secure
great advantages to the whole country
1t is also urged that failure in the Democra-
CIV to bring out candidates will force the