The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1872-02-07
LIBERAL REPUBLICANISM

Whatever others may say or think !
the proceedings of the liberal Republi-
can convention, of Missouri, seem to
US to be full Of hopeful comfort and
encouragement to the people of the
whole country, some ef the sentiments
there uttered by men who are among
the most eminent in the nation, sound
like those of the old patriots, and
would have been endorsed by Clay
and Webster themselves if promulga-
tel in their day. And whatever may
be said or thought Of the Missouri
policy, the platform adopted by the
liberal republican convention breathes
forth the true spirit of patriotic reform,
and one which must surely prevail, il
the country is to DO relieved from its
present embarrassment.
The following platform was adopted;
Resolued, That we, the liberal re-
publicans of Missouri, faithful now,
as we we're in the dark days of civil
war, to the principles of true republi,
canism, by no act or word will eudan,
ger the rightful sovereignty Of the
union, the emancipation, equality OF
civil rights or enfranchisem2nt. To
these established facts now imbedded
in the constitution, we claim the loyalty
of all good citizens.
Resolrel, That n true and lasting
peace can come only from such
profound Cancellation as entranchise-
ment has wrought in this state, nor
can those governments be pure or
great in which taxpayers have no
active part; we therefore demand, with
equal suffrage for all, complete amnesty
for all; that the intellect and experience
of every state may be welcomed to
active service for common welfare:
that no form Of taxation is Just or
wise which puts a needless burden
upon the people. We demand
genuine reform Of the tariff, So thai,
those duties shall be removed, which
in addition to the revenue yielded to
the treasury, will involve an increase
in the prices Of domestic products,
and a consequent tax for the benefit
Of the favored interests.
Re'oiced, That the shameless abuse
of the government patronage for the
control of conventions and elections,
whether in the interest Of an individual,
a faction or a party, with the conse'
quent corruption and Generalization
Of political life, demands thorough
and genuine reform Of the public
service Of those who would suppress
the investigation and forget that they
owe a higher duty to their country
than TO any party. We honor those
senators whose courageous course has
compelled the disclosure Of grave mis-
deeds, and they deserve the thanks
and hearty support Of all good citizens.
Resolcei, That local self government,
with impartial suffrage, will guard the
rights Of all our citizens more securely
than any centralized authority. 1t is
time to stop the growing encroach>
mcnts Of the executive power. The
use Of coercion or bribery to ratify
treaty; the packing Of a supreme court
to relieve rich corporations; the seating
of members of congress not elected by
the people; the resort to unconstitu-
tional laws to cure ku-klux disorder;
investigation or interference, and the
surrender of individual freedom to
those who ask that the practice or
creed of some shall be the law of all.
We demand for the individual the
largest liberty consistent with public
order, for the states self-government,
and for the nations the return to the
methods of peace, and constitutional
of power.
Resolrcd, That true republicanism
makes it not the less our duty to
expose corruption, denounce usurpation
of power and work for reforms ncces-
sary for the public welfare; the times
demand an uprising Of honest citizens
to sweep from power the men who pross
titute tho name Of an honored party
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