The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-11-30

AAO0A taA 1sS0NOA4OuA A0eAOA -
Address and Declaration Of Principles
Adopted by the Convention Of Liberia
Republicans in Cincinnati, May 3rd
1872. s5.s s. $50 s.IEl
- THE ADDRESS. n s.s,8 IL.
The, decentralization now in power has rend
cred itself guilty Of wanton Disregard OF tho
laws of the lend, aud has usurped powers
not granted by the Constitution. 1t has
acted "a If tn laws had binding force only
for those who are governed, and not for those
who govern. It has thus struck blow at
the fundamental principles OF constitutional
government, and the liberties of the citizens
openly used the powers and opportunities Of
his high. Office for the promotion Of personal
ends. He Inns kept notoriously corrupt and
unworthy men in places Of power and re-
sponsibility, to the detriment of the public
interest. He has used the public service Of
the Government as a machinery OF partisan
end personal influence, and intertered with
Of States and municipalities. He has, re-
warded with influential and lucrative Offices
men who had acquired his favor by valuable
presents, thus stimulating Decentralization 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 high office.
The partisans Of the 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 III the way of necessary in
designations 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 Iesentments of the late civil war to use
them for their own advantage. They have
resOrtcd to arbitrary measures, in direct con-
hict 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 fora successful administration
Of their local affairs and weuld tend to move
3 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 a base syco-
phancy to the dispenser of executive power
and patronage unworthy of Republican free
men. They sought to stife the voice of just
criticism, to stitle the moral sense Of the peo-
tyrannical party discipline. They are striv-
ing to maintain themselves in authority for
selfish ends by ali INSCRIPTIONS 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 m 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, in National Convention
assembled at Cincinnati, proclaim the fol-
lowing principles as essential to just Govern
lnent:
!. We recognize the equality of ali men
before the law, and hold that it is the duty
of Government i'll its dealings with the pto-
pie to mete out equal and exact Justice toAlI,
Of whatever nativity. race, color, or pefsua-
sion, religious OF political
2. We pledge ourselves to maintain the
Union OF thes:s States, emancipa ton, and en-
and to oppose amy rfopeuing
of the questions settled by the Thirteenth,
Fourteenth, and Fifteenth amendments to
the Constitution. /
8. We demand the immediate and ALSO
lutte removal of all disabilities Imposed on ac-
count Of the rebellion which was finally sub
lued seven years ago, relieving that uni
versal amnesty will result i'll complete pac-
tication in all sections OF the country
4. Local self with impartial
suffrage, will guard the fights 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 hateas corpus. NNe demand for the in
the largest liberty consistent with
public order, for the State selI-government,
and for the nation a return to the methods Of
peace and the constitutional limitations Of
power. .
5. The civil Service of the Government has
become y mYre instrument OF partisan tyr
amy aud personal ambition, and an object
Of selfish greed. It is a scandal and re1noach
upon free institutions, and breeds demoral-
zation dangerous to the perpetuity of repub-
lean Coy ernment. We therefore regard such
thorough reforms of civil service as are of
The most pressing necessities Of the hour;
that honesty, capacity, and fidelity consti-
ute/the only valid claims to public employ
meht; that the Offices of the Government
sehse to be II matter Of arbitrary favoritis,n
tome again Il post Of honor. To this end it
. imperatively required that no President
shall be q candidate for reelection
%. we demand u system of Federal tax
ltion which shall not unnecessarily inter-
ere with the industry OF the people, and
Whlch snail provide the means necessary to
pay the expenses of the Government, ccono-
nically administered; the pensions, the i'll
crest on the public debt and moderate re-
luction annually Of the principal thereof;
nd recognizing that there are in our midst
lonest but irreconcilable differences Of opin-
ons with regard to the respective systems OF
and free trade, We remit the dis
'ussion OF the subject to the people, in their
congressional districts, and to the decision
# Congress thereon, wholly free of Execu-
i've interference or dictation.
z. The public credit must be sacredly |
and we leno,lncc reputation in
very form and .guise.
8. A steady return to specie payment is
demanded alike by the highest considera-
ions Of commercial morality and honest
government.
8. We remember with gratitude the hero
SIN and sacrifices Of the soldiers and sailors |
# the republic, and no act Of ours shall ever
etract from their justl y-earned fame, or the |
ull reward OF their patriotism.
10. We are opposed to all further grants of |
ands to railroads or other corporations.
he public domain should be held sacred to
ctual settlers.
IL: We hold that it is the duty of the Gov
in its intercourse with foreign na-