Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-05-07
Liberal Republican Platform.
. AppREss OF ooMM1rnrr

;dered itself guilty of wanton disregard of the
laws OF the land. and of usurpation of powers
not granted by the Constitution. Ithas 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 fun.
damental principles of constitutional govern,
ment and the liberties of citizens The Presi
dent of the United States has openly used the
powers and opportunities of his high Office
Tor the promotion OF personal ends he has
kept VIGOROUSLY corrupt and unworthy men in
places OF power and responsibility to the det-
riment of the public interests.
He has used the public service of the Gov.
eminent as machinery of partisan and personal
influence, and interfered with tyrsnnical ar
rogance in the political affairs of States and mu-
inequalities. He has rewarded with Influential
and lucrative Offices men who had acquired
his favor by valuable presents, thus stimulat-
ing Generalization of our political life By his
conspicuous example He has shown himself
deplorably unequal to the tasks imposed upon
him by the necessities of the country. and
culpably careless of the responsibilities of his
high Office.
The partisans ofthe Administration, assum-
ing to be the Republican party. and controls
ing its organization, have ATTEMPTED to iusti-
fy such wrongs, and palliate such abuses, to
the end of maintaining partisan ascendency.
They have stood in the way Of necessary
investigations and indispensable reforms pre-
tending that no serious fault could be found
with the present administration of public af-
fairs, thus seeking to blind the eyes of the
people. They have kept alive the passions
and resentnents of the late civil war, to use
them to their own advantage. They have
resorted to arbitrary measures, in direct con-
fict 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 to successful administration
OF their local affairs. and would tend to pro-
mote patriotic and hopeful natioua feeling.
They have degraded themselves and the name
OF their party, once justly entitled to the con-
hdence of the nation, by base sycophancy
to the dispenser of executive power and pa
tronaee, unworthy of Republican freemen.-
They have sought to stife the moral sense of
the people and to subjugate public opinion by
tyranncacal party discipline. They are striv>
ing to maintain themselves in authority for
selfish ends by au INSCRIPTIONS use of 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
best interests of the Republic, we have re-
solved to make an independent appeal to the
suber Judgment, conscience and patriotism of
the American people.
The following are the resolutions in full
We, the Liberal Republicans of. the United
States, in National Convention assembled at
Cincinnati, proclaim the following principles
as ESSENTIAL to a just Government,
EErSt-Wa h.
men before the law, and hold that it is the
duty of the Government in its dealings with
the people to mete out equal and exact justice
to all OF whatever nativity, race, color or per.
suasion, religious POLITICAL.
Sccond-We pledge ourselves to maintain
the Union of these States, emancipation and
eniranchlsement, aud to oppose any reopening
of the questions settled By the Thirteenth
Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments of the
Constitution.
Third-We demand the immediate and alb
so'ute removal of all disabilities in nosed on ac-
count of the rebellion, which was finally spb.
dued seven years ago, believing that uni-
versai amnesty will result .in the COMPLETE
pac.fcation OF all sections of the country.
Fourth-Local self government. with i'm.
partial suffrage, will guard the rights of all
citizens more securely than any centralized
power The public welfare requires the SUI.
premacy OF the civil over the military authors
lty, and the freedom of person under the pro-
lection OF the habeas corpus. We demand
for the individual the largest liberty consists
ent with public order, for the States selfyov-
eminent, and for the nation a return to tho
methods of peace and the constitutional linn
itation of power.
Fifth-The civil service of the Government
has become mere instrument of partisan tv>
ranny and personal ambition, and an object
OF selfish greed. 1t is scandal and renroocb
upon our free institutions, aud breeds dc.
morallzatlon dangerous to the perpetuity Of
republican government. We. therefore re>
gard thorough reform of the civil service az
one OF the most pressing necessities of tbe
hour; that honesty, capacity and fidelity cons
stitute the only valid claims to public emnlov.
ment; that the officers OF the Governments
case to be matter of arbitrary favori,ism and
patronage, and that public stations become
again posts of honor. To this end it is i'm,
peratlvely required that no President shall be
candidate for reelection
Slxth-We demand a system of Federal
taxation which shall not unnecessarily inter.
fere with the industry of the people. and
which snail provide means necessary to paw
the expenses of the Government. economicallv
administered, pensions, the iuseres. on thu
public debt, and moderate reduction annu-
ally of the principal thereof. and recognizing
that there are in our midst honest. but ire
conciable differences ofopnion with regard to
the respective systems of protection and free
trade, We remit discussion of the subject to
the people in their Congressional districts. and
to the decision of Congress thereon. wholly
free OF Executive interference or dictation.
Seventh-The public credit must be sacred
~ maintained, and we denounce reputation
in every form and guise.
Eishth-A speedy return to specie pay
ments is demanded alike by the highest con-
slderations of commercial morality aud honest
government.
Ninth-We remember with gratitude the