The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1872-06-07
Address to the People.

out dissenting voice:
Address to the People
The Administration, now 10 power
has rendered itself guilty of wantor
! disregard Of the laws of the land, and OF
| powers not granted by the constitution.
1t has acted as if the laws bad binding
force only for these who are governed
I and not for those who govern 1t has
thus struck blow at the fundamental
| principles Of constitutional government
and the liberties Of the citizen The
/ President Of the United States has open
! ~ used the powers and opportunities of
his high Office for the promotion Of per
| sonHl ends. De has kept uotori-
Ously corrupt and unworthy men in
! places of power and responsibility to the
| detTimeut Of the public interest lie
! has used the public service of the govern
meEt as "A machinery Of partlZan aud
/ personal influence aud inuerGered with
| technical arrogance in the political Affairs
OF the States and municipalities. He has
rewarded, with influential and lucrative
Office, men who had acquired his favor
/ by valuable presents, thCs stimulating
the Decentralization OF our political lila
by his conspicuous example be has
/ shown himself deplorlbly unequal to tue
tasks imposed upon him by the necessi~
ties Of the country and cuipably careless
of the responsibilities Of his high Office
i he partlsans Of the administration, as
sumIng TO be the Republican parry a
controlling It's organization, have ate N ot
ed to Justify fuch wrongs and palliatB
such abuses 20 the end of maintaining
partisan usceudlucy. They have stood
III the way Of necessary investigation and
Indispensable reform that rs serious a
fault as could be found with the present
administration of public aflairs is the
seeking 10 blIud the eyes Of the people
by keeping alive the passions and resent
ments of the late cIvi! war for their own
adyanta &c; they have resorted TO arbit-
rary measures, in direct conflict With the
organic law, instead of appealing to the
letter instincts and latent patriotism Of
the Southern people by restoring those
rights the enjoyment of which is indies
pensible for a successful administration
Of local affairs and would tend to move 4
patriotic aud hopeful national feeling
They have degraded themselves and the
name of THAR part, and are justly ems
titled to the Confidence Of the nation by
a base sychOphancy to Executive power
and patronage unworthy of republican
freemen. They have sought to silence
the voice OF Just criticism, 10 stifle the
moral senee OF the p eple, and to subius
gate public opinion by tyrannical party
discipline. They are striving TO mala-.
tain themselves in authority, for selfish
ends by an unscrupulous use of the
power which rightfully belongs to the
people and should be employed only 10
the service Of the country Believing
that an organization thus led and con-
trolled can no longer be Of service to the
best interests Of the republic, we have
resolved to make an independent appeal
to the sober judgment conscience and
patriotism Of the American people .,
THE PLATFORM.
We, the Liberal Republicans Of the
United States, in national convention as
sembled at Cincinnati, proclaim the ful~
lowing principles az essential to Just gov
ernment:
First-We recognize the equality of all
men before the law, and hold that it is
the duty of the government, in its deal
ings with the people, to mete cut equal
and exact justice TO all, whatever nativi-
ty, race, color or persuasion. religious or
political.
Second We pledge ourselves to main
tain the union of these States, emauciUa
ton and acknowledgements. aud to oppose
any re opening Of the questions settled
by the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fiji
tcenth amendments of the constitution
Third--N demand the immediate
and absolute removal Of all disabilities
imposed on account Of the rebellion,
which was final y subdued seven years
ago, believing that universal amnesty
will result in complete pacihcation in all
sections of the country. .t
Fuurth-Local self government, with
impartial SUFFRAGE, wlIl guard tia rights
Of all citizens more secure than any
centrH liZed power. The pubic welfare
enquiries the supremacy ofthe civil over
the military authority. and freedom Of
perSon under the prot ctiun Of the hG6eas
corpus. We demand for the individual
the largest liberty consistent with public
order; for the State, self government, and
for the nation "A return to the methods
Of peace and tho constitutional limita>
tions of power. .
Fiith-The Civil service of the Gov
ernmont has become mere instrument
Of partisah chiancery and personal am
bitten, and an object OF seitshuC5s, greed
mess and scandal, and is repluach
upon our free institutions, and breeds u
decentralization, and Is dangerous TO the
perpetuity ola Republican Government.
Sixth-We therefore regard thorough
reform in the civil service as one Of the
most pressing necessities OF the hour,
and that honesty, capacity, and fidelity
constitute the only valid claim TO public
( employment, and that the Offices Of the
government cease to be a matter of az
bitrary iavoritiSm and patronage, and
that public stations cease to become mere
posts Of honor. To this end it is impera-
lively required that no President shall
/ be a candidate for re-elec ion We des
maDd system of Federal taxation. which
/ shall not unnecessarily interfere with the
( industry Of tue people, and which shall
/ provide the means necessary 10 pay the
/ expenses of the government, economical
/ ly administered, the pensions, tha inter,
I est on the public debt, and moderate
annual reduction of the principal thereof
and recognizing that there are in our
midst honest hut irreConcilable dilferen-
COS of opinion wi regard 70 the respec.
tive systems OF protection and free trade
We remit the discussion Of the subject to
the people IN their Congressional districts
anl the decision of Congress thereon
wholly free from Executive intcrferend0
or dictatiOn
Seventh-The public credit must BIZ
sacredly maintained, aud we denounee
Reputation IN every form and guise.
Eighth--A speedy return to specie
payments is demanded alike by the high
est considerations of commerce, morality
aud good government.
Niuth-We remember with gratitude
the heroism and sacrifices OF the soldiers
and sailors Of the republic, and no act Of
! nmra ahnII nEar datract from thai- imstlH