The Donaldsonville chief., 1872-12-21

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Adopted by the Convention Of Liberia
Republicans in Cincinnati, May 3rd
1872.
Ihe administration now in power has rent
cred itself guilty Of wanton disreg Of the
laws OF the land. and has us1lrped powers
not granted by the Constitution. 1t has
acted as if the laws had binding force only
for those who are governed, and not for those
who govern. 1t has thus struck o blow af
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
his high office for the promotion of personal
ends. He has kept notoriously corrupt and
unworthy men in places of power and re-
sponslbllity, to the detriment Of the public
interest. He has used the public service of
the Government as machinery of partisan
and personal influence, and interfered with
tyrannical arrogance in the political affairs
OF States and municipalities. He has re-
warded with influential and lucrative Offices
men who had acquired his favor by valuable
presents, thus stimulating decentralization of
our political life by his conspicuous example.
lie has shown himself deplorably UNEQUAL to
the tasks imposed upon him by the necessi-
ties OF the country, and culpably careless of
the responsibilities OF his high office.
The partisans Of the administration, as
slllnlng to be the Republican party and con-
trolling it's organization, have attempted to
justify such wrongs and paliate such abuses,
&C, to the end OF maintaining party ascendancy
Ihey have stood in the way of necessary in
vestlgatlons and Indispensable reforms, pre-
tending that no serious fault could be found
with the present administration Of public
atfairs, thus seeking to blind che eyes of the
people. They have kept alive the passions
and fesentments of the late civil war to use
them for their own advantage. They have
resorted to arbitrary measures. in direct con
fict with the organic law, instead of appeal
ing to the better instincts and latent patriot
ism OF the Southern people by restoring to
them those rights the enjoyment Of which is
indispensable for successful administration
OF their local affairs, and would tend to move
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 a base syco-
phaney to the dispenser of executive power
and patronage unworthy of Republican free
men. They sought to stiflc the voice of lust
criticism, to stitie the moral sense of the peo-
pie, and to suhjugate public opinion by
tyrannical party discipline. They are striv-
ing to maintain themselves in authority for
selfish ends by an unscrupulous use Of the
power which rightfully 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 the
sober judgment, conscience, and patriotism
ct the American people
THE DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
Therefore, we, the Liberal Republicans of
the United States, in National Convention
asscmbledAt Cincinnati. proclaim the fol
lowing principles as essential to just Govern
ment:
!. We recognize the equality of all men
before the law, and hold that It is the duty
u Government i'll its dealings with the peo-
pie to mete out equal and exact Justice toau
y whatever nativity. race, color, or persna-
sion, religious Or political.
q We pledge ourselves to maintain the |
Y union OF these States, emancipation, and en- |
and to oppose any reopening |
# the questions settled by the Thirteenth |
fourteenth, and Fifteenth amendments tn |
he Constitution
5. We demand the immediate and ALSO
ute removal of all disabilities imposed on ac-
'ount Of the rebellion which was finally snb-
lued seven years ago, believing that uni
'ersal amnesty will result in complete paci-
lcation IN all sections Of the country
4. Local seff-government, with impartial
uffrage, will guard the rights of all citizens
more securely than any centralized power.
he public welfare requires the supremacy
t the civil over the military authority. and
reedom of person under the protection of
he habeas corpus. We demand for the in
lvidual the largest liberty consistent with
ublic order for the State selEgovernmept.
nd for the nation return to the methods of
eace and the constitutional limitations of
over.
,. The civil service of the Government has
ecome a mere instrument Of partisan tyr
my and personal ambition, and an object
selfish greed. 1t is ascandal and rcproach
pom free institutions, and breeds demoral-
ation dangerous to the perpetuity of repub-
can government. We therefore regard such
borough reforms of civil service as are of
'e most pressing necessities Of the hour;
lat honesty, capacity, and fidelity consti-
lte the only valid claims to public employ
ent that the offices of the Govcrninent
Ease to he n matter Of arbitrary fayoritism
al patronage, and that public station be-
'me again post Of honor. To this end it
lmpe1Htively required that no President !.
lall be a candidate for reelection.
8. We demand q system of Federal tax
ION which shall not unnecessarily inter
re with the industry of the people, and
hlch shall provide the means necessary to
" the expenses Of the Government, econo
really administered; the pensions, the in
rest on the pubic debt, and d moderate re-
'ction annually Of the principal thereof:
ID, recognizing that there are in our midst
nest but irreconcilable differences of opin-
rs with regard to the respective systems OF 4
election and free trade, we remit the dis
ssion OF the subject to the people, in their s.
ngressional districts, and to the decision G
Congress thereon, wholly free of Execu
e interference or dictation. S
{. The public credit must be sacredlv c
lintained, and we denounce reputation In I
cry form and guisc. ii
5. A steady return to specie payment il
lnanded alike by the highest considera- II
us of commercial morality and honest in
rernment. n
J. We remember with gratitude the hero ST
! and sacrifices Of the soldiers and sailors n.
the republic, and no act of ours shall ever re
ract from their justly learned fame, or the II
reward of their patriotism. fir
y. We are opposed to all further grants Of N
DIS to railroads or other corporations.
9 public domain should be held sacred to +,
tlal settlers. ~
l. We hold that it is the duty Of the Gov "
ment, in its intercourse with foreign ma
Is, to cultivate the friendship Of peace, bv
.ting with all on fair and equal terms, re- pa
ding it alike dishonorable either to do
ID what is not right, or to submit to what en-
rong