The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-12-28
Liberal Republican Platform.
dlUeIa1 06pUUl1Cdu : ldClUIIu.
Address and Declaration Of Principles
Adopted by the Convention Of Liberal
Republicans in Cincinnati, May Ord,
1879.

Adopted by the Convention Of Liberal
Republicans in Cincinnati, May Ord,
1872.
THE ADDRESS
The administration now in power has rend-
cred itself guilty Of wanton disregard of the
laws Of the land, and has usurped 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 a blow at
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 VIGOROUSLY corrupt and
unworthy men in places Of power and re-
interest. He has used the public service Of
the Government as a machinery Of partisan
and personal influence, and interfered with
tyrannical arrogance in the political affairs
OF States and municipalities. lie has re-
warded with influential and lucrative Offices
men who had acquired his favor by valuable
presents, thus stimulating Generalization of
our political life by his conspicuous example.
He 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 hi Oh Office
HC pbAGlSuuS OI luC administration. as
Stunning to be the Republican party and con-
trolling it's organization, have attempted to
justify such wrongs and palliate such abuses,
to the end OF maintaining party ascendancy.
They have stood in the way of necessary in
yestigations and indispensable reforms, pre-
tending that no serious fault could be found
with the present administration Of public
affairs, thus seeking to blind the eyes of the
people. They have kept alive the passions
and ppSGnf1nanfs nf t1ta of CIV IN,
them for their own advantage. They have
resorted to arbitrary measures, in direct con
ttict 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
2 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 base syco-
phancy to the dispenser of executive power
and patronage unworthy Of Republican free
men. They sought to stiae the voice of just
criticism, to stitle the moral sense of the peo-
pie, and to suhjugate public opinion by
tyrannical party discipline. They are striy-
ing to maintain themselves in authority for
selfish ends by an interruptions 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
OF the American people.
THE DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
Therefore, we, the Liberal Republicans of
the United States, i'll National Convention
assembled at 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
of Government in its dealings with the PEG
pie to mete out equal and exact Justice to all,
OF whatever nativity, race, color, OF persua-
sion, religious OF political.
z We pledge ourselves to maintain the
Union OF these States, emancipation, and en-
and to oppose any reopeuing
of the questions settled by the Thirteenth,
Fourteenth, and Fifteenth amendments to
the Constitution.
3. We demand the immediate and abso-
lutte removal OF oil disabilities imposed on ac-
count of the rebellion which was finally sub
dued seven years ago, believing that uni
versal amnesty will result in complete paci-
fication in all sections of the country.
4. Local selfgovernment, with impartial
suffrage, will guard the rights of all citizens
more securely than any centralized power
The public welfare requires the supremacy
Of the civil over the military authority, and
freedom OF person under the protection of
the haJeas corpus. We demand for the III
diyidual the largest liberty consistent with
public order, for the State self-government.
and for the nation return to the methods of
peace and the constitutional limitations of
power.
5. The civil service of the Government has
amy and personal ambition. and an object
of selfish greed. It is scandal and reproach
upon free Institutions, and breeds democrat |
zation dangerous to the perpetuity of repub- |
lean government. Wetherefore regard such |
thorough reforms of civil service as are Of !
he most pressing necessities of the hour;
hat honesty, capacity, and fidelity consti- |
ute the only valid claims to public employ
nent; that the offices of the Government !
ease to be a matter of arbitrary favoritism !
md patronage, and that public station be-
'ome again post OF honor: 70 this end it
g imperatively required that no President
hall be a candidate for reelection.
3. We demand system of Federal tax
ltion which shall not unnecessarily inter
ere with the industry of the people, and
which shall provide the means NECESSARY tn
Jay the expenses Of the Government. econo-
nlcaily administered; the pensions, the in
crest on the public debt, and moderate re-
|uction annually Of the principal thereof:
nd, recognizing that there are in our midst
onest but irreconcilable differences of opin-
ons with regard to the respective systems OF
protection and free trade, we remit the dis
ussion Of the subject to the people, in their
Congressional districts, and to the decision
t Congress thereon, wholly free of e. ecu-
i've interference or dictation
{. The public credit must be sacredly
and we denounce reputation in
very form and guse.
8. steady return to specie payment is
emanded alike by the highest considera-
ons Of commercial morality and honest
ovcrnment.
8. We remember with gratitude the hero
m and sacrifices Of the soldiers and sailors
the republic, and no act of ours shall ever
etract from their justly -carned fame, or the
III reward Of their patriotism. !
IT, We are opposed to all further grants of
!nds to railroads or other corporations.
he public domain should be held sacred to
,tual settlers.
IL. We hold that it is the duty of the Gov
'nment, in its intercourse with foreign ma
ons, to cultivate the friendship of peace, by
eating with all on fair and equal terms re- !
riding it alike dishonorable either to de-
and what is not right, or to submit to what