Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-07-17
POLITICAL.
The BxLTIMOKE PLATFORM.

E We the Democratic electors OF the United
States, in Convention assembled, do present the /
following principles, already adopted at Cinein-
matt, as essential to just governments
l. We recognize the equality of all men before
the law and hold that it is the duty of Govern
lnent, in its dealings with the people, to mete out
equal and exact justice TO all OF whatever ma
tivity race, color, or persuasion, religious POI
litical. este.
2 We pledge ourselves to maintain the Union
of these States, emancipation and enfrlnchise-
Inent, and to oppose any reopening of the ques-
tons settled by the thirteenth. fourteenth and
fifteenth amendments of the Constitution. =
8. We demand the immediate and absolute re-
Inoyal of all disabilities imposed on account of
the rebellion, which was finally subdued seven
years ago believing that universal amnesty viii
result in complete pa cification in all sections of
the country. III L.
4. Local self-government with impartial suf-
frage win 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 the freedom of per-
son under the protection of the habeas corpus.
We demand for the individual the largest Iiber-
ty consistent with public order for the State self
government, and for the nation return to the
methods of peace and the constitutional Hmita-
tons of power.
8. The civil service of the Government has be-
come mere instrument OF partisan tyranny and
personal ambition, and an object of selfish greed.
1t is a scandal and reproach upon free institu-
tions and breeds Generalization dangerous to
the perpetuity of republican government.
6. We therefore regard thorough reform of
the civil service as one of the most pressing ne
ceSsities of the hour; that honesty, capacity and
fidelity constitute the only valid claims to public
employment; that the Offices OF the Government
cease TO be a matter of arbitrary favoritism and
patronage, and that public station shall become
again place of honor. To this end it is impera-
lively required that no President shall be can
didate for reelection.
7. We demand system of Federal taxation
which shall not unnecessarily interfere with The
~ hall
the means necessary to pay the expenses Of the
Government, economically administered, the
| pensions, the interest on the public debt and a
moderate annual reduction of the principal
| thereof; and recognizing that there are in our
midst honest and irrecOncilable differences Of
opinion with regard to the respective systems of
| Protection and Free Trade, we remit the discus
sion of the subject to the people in their Con-
gressional Districts and the decision of Congress
| thereon, wholly free from Executive interference
| or dictatiOn.
| s. The public credit must be sacredly main
| tanned, and we denounce Reputation in every
| form and guise.
9. A speedy return to specie payments is de-
| manded alike by the highest considerations of
commercial morality and honest government.
| 10. We remember with gratitude the herOism
and sacrifices of the soldiers and sailors of the
| Republic, and no act of ours shall ever detract
from their justly earned fame or the full rewards
II. We are opposed to AL further grants of land
to railroads or other corporations. The public
domains should be held sacred to actual settlers.
II. We hold that it is the duty of tie Govern
ment in its intercourse with foreign nations to
| cultivate the friendship of peace, by treati ng
with all on fair and equal terms regarding it alike
dishonOrable either to demand what is not right
or submit to what is wrong.
10. For the promotion and success of these
vital principles, and the support of the candidates
nominated by this convention, we invite and COR
citizens, without regard to previous political afl-
| iations.