The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-06-17
PLATFORM OF THE NATIONAL RFpUR.
LICAN PARTY

Inc Republlcan party OF the United States
assembled IN National Convention, in the city OF
Philadelphia, on the 9th and 9th DAYS or lime.
1877, again declares its faith, appeals to its
history, and announces its position upon the
questions before the country.
FtrSt.-Durng eleven years of supremacy il
mas accepted, with grand courage, the solemn
duties OF the times it suppressed gigantic re-
belion emancipated 1000, 900 of slaves decreed
the equal citizenship ofal and established univer
sal suffrage; exhibiting unparalleled magma
nimity, 1t criminally punished no man for politi-
caloffenees and warmly welcomed all who proved
their loyalty by obeying the laws and dealing
justly with their neighbors. 1t has steadily de.
creased, with firm hand, the result and disorders
OF great war, and initiated a 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 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 Of rates of taxation, the
public debt has been reduced, during Gen
eral Grants Presidency, at the rate of a
hundred millions a year; great financial crisis
have been avoided, and peace and plenty pre-
vail throughout the land; menacing foreign diff
culties have been peacefully and honorably COM
posed, and the honor and the power of the ma.
tion kept in high respect throughout the
world. This glorious record of 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 this ben
eficial progress.
Second Complete liberty and exact equali-
ty in the enjoyment of all civil, political
and public rights should be established and
effectually maintained throughout the Union, by
efficient and appropriate State and Federal legis-
lation neither the law nor the administration
should admit of any discrimination in respect of
citizens by reason of race, creed, colored pre-
yious condition of servitude,
Thtrd.-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-
cordng to the spirit by appropriate Legislation, the
enforcement OF which can safely be entrusted only
to the party that secured those amendments
Fosrth.-'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.
Flfh-Any system of the civil service under
which the subordinate positions of the Gov
eminent are considered reward for mere
party zeal, is fatally demoralzing, 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 q 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.
enus, after paying current debt. should furnish
moderate balance. . e4
SeDenth.-The annual revenues, after paying
the current debt, should furnish moderate
balance for the reduction Of the principal,
and the revenue, except much as may bs
derived from tax on tobacco and
liquors, be raised by duties upoa importation |;
the duties of which should be so adjusted rs to
aid in securing remunerative wages to labor,
and promote the growth, industries, and pros.
periiy of the whole country
Etghtb.--We hold in undying honor the soldiers
and sailors whose valor saved the Union Their
pensions are a 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 We're
honorably discharged, and who, in the time of
duty, became disabled, without regard to the
length of service or the cause of such discharge
Htnth.-The doctrine of Great Britain and other
European Powers concerning allegiance. .'Onee
a subject always q subject" having at last,
through the efforts of the Republican party, been
abandoned, and the American tdea 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 encoura cement
and protection of voluntary immigration.
Tsath.-The franlring privilege ought to be abol-
isheu and the way prepared for speedy reduc-
tion in the rate of postage.
MISUNDERSTANDING the questions which press
for attention is thai which concerns the relations
of capital and labor, and the Republican party
recognize the duty of so 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-
tual profits OF these two great servants of cyiiza
ton.
Tteelfh-We hold that Congress and the Pres,
dent have only fulfilled an imperative duty in
their measures for the suppression of violent and
reasonable organizations in certain lately rebel
Ious regions, and for the protection of the ballot
box, and therefore they are entitled to the thanks
of the nation.
Ihtrteenth.-We denounee the reputation of
the public debt in any form or disguise as 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-
pect that our excellent national currency will be
perfected by a speedy resumption of specie pay
ments. Hr
Fourteenh-The Republican party is mindful
of its obligations TO the loyal women of America
for their noble donation to the cause of freedom,
their admission to the wider fields OF usefulness
is viewed with satisfaction, and the honest de
mands of any class OF citizens for additional
rights should betreated with respectful considers
ton
FTf9eenM.-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.
,Strteenth--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.
Seeesteeath-It is the duty of the General
Government to adopt such measures as win tend
to encourage American commerce and ship
building.
EfGhteeath.-We believe that the modest pat
riotism, the earnest purpose, the sound iudg.
ment the practical wisdom, the 1ncorruptible in-
tegrity and the ilustrious services of Ulysses S.
Grant have commended him 10 the heart of the
American people, and with him at our head we
stand today upon new march to victory.