The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-05-14

base sycophancy to tie dispenser Of
Executive power and patronage unwor
thy Of Republican frecmen. They have
sought to silence the voice of just crit
icism, to sufe the moral sense of the
people, and to suhjugate public opinion
by tyrannical party discipline; they are
striving to maintain themselves in au.
thority for selfish ends by an unscrupu.
lous use of the epower which rightfully
belongs to the people, and should be
employed only in the service Of the
country.
Believing that 10 organization thus
led and controlled can longer be OF
service to the best interests Of the Re
public, we have resolved to make an in.
dependent appeal to the sober Judgment,
tconsciencc and patriotism Of the Amer
lean people
RESOLUTIONS.
We, the Liberal Republicans of the
United States, in National Convention
assembled at Cincinnati, proclaim the
following principles as essential to just
government.
l. We recognize the equality of all
before the law, and hold that it is the
duty Of Government in its dealings with
the people to mete out equal and exact
Justice to all of whatever nativity, race,
color or persuasion, religious or polite
al.
2 We pledge ourselves to maintain
the Union of the States, emancipation
and reimbursement, and oppose any
Ireopaning of the questions settled by
the Thirteenth Fourteenth and Fifteenth
Amendments to the Constitution.
8. We demand immediate aud abso-
lutte removal of all disabilities imposed
on account of the rebellion, which was
finally subdued seven years ago, believ.
ing that universal amnesty will result in
complete pacifeation in all sections OF
tie country.
T. Local self-government, with impair
tial suffrage, will guard the lights of all
citizens more securely than any central
lied power. The public welfare requires
the supremacy of the civil over the mil
itary authority, and the freedom Of per.
son under the protection of the hdbeaS
corpus. We demand for the individual
the largest liberty consistent with the
public order, for the State self fgovern-
meEt, and for the Nation to return to the
methods of peace and the constitutional
limitations of power o..
5. The civil service OF the Govern
ment has become mere instrument of
partisan tyranny and personal ambition,
and an object of selfish greed. 1t is a
scandal and reproach upon free insti-
tutions, and breeds a Generalization
dangerous to the prosperity of Repub-
lican Government.
6. We therefore regard thorough
reform Of the civil service as one of the
most pressing necessities Of the hour
that honesty, capacity and fidelity con
stitute the only valid claims to public
employment !. that the offices. of the
Government cease to be matter Of ar,
hitrary favortism and patronage, and
that public stations become again post
of honor. To this end it is imperative
ly required that no President shall he a
candidate for re election. vas.
Z. We demand a system of Federal
taxation which shall not unnecessarily
interfere with the industry of the peo-
pie, and shall provide sufficient means
to pay the expenses Of the Government,
economically administered, pensions,
and the interest on the public debt, and
a moderate annual reduction Of the
principal thereof; but recognizing the
existence in our midst Of honest but ir.
rcconciliable differences of opinion up
on the merits of the respective systems
of protection and free trade, we remit
the discussion of the subject to the
people in their Congressional districts,
and to the decision of Congress there
on, wholly free from Executive interfe-
renee or dictstion. -'s,
s. The public credit must be sacredly
maintained, and we denounce repudia-
ton in every form and guise.
8. A speedy return to specie payment
is demanded alike by the highest con-
siderations of commercial morality and
honest government.
10 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 rewards of
their patriotism.
IL. We are opposed to all further
grants to railroads or other corpora
tions. The public domain should be
held sacred to actual settlers.
u. We hold that it is the duty OF the
Government in its intercourse with for
.eign nations to cultivate the friendship
Of peace by treating with all on fair and
equal terms, regarding it alike dishonor-
able either to demand what is not right
or to submit to what is wrong
13 For the promotion and success Of
these vital principles. and the support Of
the candidate nominated by this Conven.
tion,we invite and cordially welcome the
cooperation of all patriotic citizens,
without regard to previous political af
tlIiations. HORACE WHITE,
Chairman Committee on Resolutions.
G.. 2. THRUsroN, Secretary
General Burnett, Of Ohio--Mr. Presi
dent, l move that this second Dec,ara
ton of Independence be adopted as q
whole by aCclamatiOn
The motion was unanimously agreed
to amid the widest applause, which con-
tinucd for several minutes. After quiet
was restored the President said:
The Chair announces with Cratiiica
ton and pride that the resolutions are
adopted by Il unanimous vote. Renew
ed applause
The President announced, amid great
excitement and deafening confusion, that
the States would now be called,an each
State was requested to name its candi-
date for President Of the United States.
The Secretary then proceeded to call
the roll, with the following result:
FIRST BALLOT.
Whole number Of votes, TIA number
n cesSarV tD q choice 35S