The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-09-07
PLATFORM OF THE NATIONAL REPUB-
LICAN PARTY.

Philadelphia, June and Q, 1872:
The Republican party of the United States
assembled in National Convention, in the city o.
Philadelphia, on the 9th ana 9th days or June
iS72 again declares its faith, appeals to its
history, and announces its position upon the
questions before the country.
FtrSt.-During eleven years Of supremacy II
has accepted, with grand courage, the solemn
duties of the times; 1t suppressed a gigantic re
bellion; emancipated 4000 900 of slaves; decreed
the equal citizenship of all and established univer
sal suffrage exhibiting unparalleled magma
nimity, 1T criminally punished no man for polit
calofiences, and warmly welcomed all who proved
their loyalty by obeying the laws and dealing
justly with their neghbors. 1t has steadily de
creased, with firm hand the result and disorders
of great war, and initiated wise policy toward
the Indians. The Pacific railroad and similar
vast enterprises have been generously aided and
successfully conducted; the public land freely
given to actual settlers; immigration protected
and encouraged, and a full acknowledgement Of
the naturalized citizens right secured from Euro
pean powers; a uniform national currency has
been provided; reputation frowned down, the
national credit sustained under most extraordi.
nary burdens, and new bonds negotiated at lower
rates. The revenues have been carefully col
lected and honestly applied, despite annual
large reductions CT rates OF taxation, the
public debt has been reduced, during Gen
eral Grants Presidency, at the rate Of a
hundred millions year; great financial crisis
have been avoided, and peace and plenty pre-
vail throughout the land; menacing foreign diff
culties have been peacefully and honoraby COM
posed, and the honor and the power of the ma.
ton kept in high respect throughout the
world This glorious record iof the past, is
the party's best pledge for the future. We be-
lieve the people will not entrust the government
to any party, or combination of men, composed
chiefly of those who resisted every step ben
eficial progress.
Second.-Complete liberty and exact equali-
ty in the enjoyment OF all civil, political
and public rights should be established and
etlectually maintained throughout the Union, by
efficient and appropriate State and Federal legs-
lation neither the law nor the administration
should admit of any discrimination in respect of
citizens by reason of race, creed, colored or pre-
vious condition of seryitude.
Third.-The recent amendments to the Natio-
nal Constitution, should be cordially sustained,
because they are right, not merely tolerated be-
cause they are law and should be carried out ac-
cording to the spirit by appropriate legislation the
enforcement of which can safely be entrusted only
to the party that secured those amendmer ts
Fourth.-The National Government should
seek to maintain honorable peace with all ma
tions, protecting its citizens everywhere, and
sympathizing with all peoples who strive
for greater liberty.
which the subordinate positions of the Gov
eminent are considered reward for mere
party zeal, is fatally demoralizing, and we,
therefore, favor reform of the system, by laws
which shall abolish the evils of patronage, and
make honesty, efficiency, and fidelity the essen
tial qualifications for public position, without
practically creating life tenure OF office.
Sirth-We are opposed to further grants Of the
public lands to corporations and monopolies, and
demand that the national demain be set apart
for free homes.for the people. The annual rev.
enue, after paying current debt, should furnish
a moderate balance.
SeUenH.-The annua revenues, after paying
the current debt, should furnish Il moderate
balance for the reduction of the principal,
and The revenue, except so much as may be
derived from tax tobacco and
liquors, be raised by duties upon importation /;
the duties Of which should be SO adjusted as to
aid in securing remunerative wages, to labor,
and promote the growth. industries and
perity of the whole country.
Eighth.-We hold in undying honor the soldiers
and sailors whose valor saved the Union. Their
pensions are sacred debt OF the nation, and the
widows and orphans of those who died for their
country are entitled to the care Of an additional
legislation as will extend the bounty Of the Gov
ernmeut to all our soldiers and sailors who were
honoraby discharged, and who,i N the time of
duty, became disabled, without regard to the
length of service or the cause OF such discharge
NnM-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 Redublican party, been
abandoned, and the American idea of the right
to transfer allegiance having been accepted by
European nations, it is the duty of our Govern
ment to guard with jealous care the right of
adopted citizens against the assumption of unau-
thorized claims by their former Government,
and we urge continual careful encouragement
and protection of voluntary immigration.
Tenth.-The franlting privilege ought to be abol-
ished and the way prepared for a speedy reduc.
ton in the rate of postage.
EleUenh-Among the questions which press
for attention is that which concerns the relations
of capital and labor, and the Republican party
recognize the duty of shaping legislation as to
secure full protection and the amplest field for
capital and for labor, the creator Of capital, the
largest opportunities and just share of the mu-
tua profits of these two great servants of civilian
ton.
TOeltA-We hold that Congress and the Pres
dent have only fulfilled an imperative duty in
their measures for the suppression of violent and
treas enable ORGANIZATIONS cartniu lately rebel
lous regions, and for the protection of the ballot
box, and therefore they are entitled to the thanks
of the nation.
7hirteenth-We denounce the Reputation of
the public debt in any form or disguise as n ma
tional crime. We witness with pride the reduc-
ton of the principal of the debt and of the rates
of interest upon the balance, and confidently ex-
peet that our excellent national currency will be
perfected by speedy resumption of specie pay
ments.
Fourteenth.-The Republican party is mindful
fits obligations TO the loyal women of America
for their noble donationt to the cause of freedom,
their admission to the wider fields of usefulness
mands of any class of citizens for additional
rights should betreated with respectful considera-
ton
FyyeenM-We heartily approve the action Of
Congress in extending amnesty to those lately in
rebellion and rejoice in the growth of peace and
fraternal feeling throughout the land.
Siateenth.-The Republican party propose to
respect the rights reserved by the people to
themselves as carefully as the powers delegated
by them to the State and to the Federal Govern
ment. 1t disapproves OF the resort to unconsti-
tutional laws for the purpose Of removing evils
by interference with rights not surrendered by
the people to either the State or National Gov
eminent.
SeceateenM-It is the duty of the General
Government to adopt such measures as will tend
to encourage American commerce and ship
building.
Eighteenth.-We believe that the modest pat
riotsm, the earnest purpose, the sound judg-
ment, the practical wisdom, the ncorruptible in
tegrty and the illustrious services of Ulysses S,
Grant, have commended him to the heart of the
American people, and with him at our head we
stand to-day upon new march to victory.
PRINCIPLES ENUNCIATED BY THE RE-
PUBLICANS OF VIRGINIA.
The Republicans of Virginia, in Convention
assembled, about to enter upon the canvass for
the election of President and Vice-President
oil the United States, now formally announce
their principles to the voters of this Common
wealth.
From 1865 to 1872 they have continually and
unwaveringly held and proclaimed the same
principles and they hereby reiterate and re-
affirm the resolutions OF their State Conventions
held in 1866, 1867, 1885, 1869, 1870, and 1871.
These principles have been embodied in the
18th, l4th, and 10th amendments of the national
constitution and in the civil rights act of April
8, 1866, the enforcement act of May 80, 1870 and