The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-11-09


Address and Declaration of Principles
Adopted by the Convention Of Liberal
Republicans in Cincinnati, May Bird,
1872. ,-.r.- ,.-- ii
THE ADDRESS.
The administration now in power has rcntl-
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 tlrose who are governed, and not for those
who govern. 1t has thus struck II blow ut
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 notoriously corrupt. and
unworthy men in places OF power and re-
sllonsibility, to the detriMent of the public
interest. He has used the public service of
the Government az u machinery of partisan.
and personal influence, and intertered with
tyrannical arrogance in the political affairs
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 its organization have attempted to
justify such wrongs and palliate such abuses,
to tire end OF maintaining party ascendancy.
They have stood in the way of necessary in
vestigations and Indispensable reforms, pre-
tending that no serious fault could be found
with the present administration OF public
affairs, thus seeking to blind tho eyes Of the
people. They have kept alive the passions
and resentments of the late civil war to use
them for their own advantage. They have
resortel to arbitrary measures, in direct con-
Hict with the organic law, instead Of appeal
ing to the better instincts aud latent patriot
ism Of the Southern people by restoring to
them those rights the enjoyment of which is
Indispensable for a successful administration
OF their local affairs, and would tend to move
u 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 Il base syco-
pllancy to the dispenser Of executive power
and patronage unworthy Of Republican free
men. They sought to stife the voice of Just
criticism, to stifie the moral sense of the peol
pie, and to subjugate public opinion by
tyrannical party discipline. They are striv-
ing to maintain themselves in authority for
selfish ends by an unscrupulous 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 independents appeal to the
sober judgment. conscience, and patriotism
OF the American people ..-.-
THE DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES,
7
the United States, in National Convention
at Cincinnati. proclaim the fol- \
lowing principles as essential to just Govern
ment: .--=.-. az
/. We recognize the equality of all men
before the law, and hold that it is the duty
Of Government i'll its dealings with the PEG
pie to mete out equal and exact Justice to all,
Of whatever nativity, race. color, or pcrsua-
sion religious or political.
:. We pledge ourselves to maintain the
Union Of these States, emancipation and ell
and to oppose any reupeuing
IF the questions settled by the Thirteenth.
Fourteenth, and Fifteenth amendments to
The Constitution.
). We demand the immediate and abso-
ute removal Of all disabilities imposed on ac-
count OF the rebellion which was finally sub
lued seven years ago, believing that uni
versal amnesty will result i'll complete paci- |
ication in all sections OF the country
4. Local seifgOvernment,. with impartial
suffrage, will guard the rights of all citizens
more securely than any centralized power
The public welfare requires the supremacy
IF the civil over the military authority, and
freedom Of person under the protection OF |
the habeas corpus. We demand for the in
Gvidual the largest liberty consistent with |
public order, for the State selfgovernmcnt.
md for the nation return to the methods Of !
peace and the constitutional limitations Of |
Dower.
5. The civil service of the Government has |
Become II mere instrument of partisan tyr |
,nny and personal ambition. and an object |
II selfish greed. 1t is scandal and leprcach |
llOn free institutions and breeds democrat |
cation dangerous to the perlctuity Of repub-
lean government. We thcrefore 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 l.
ease to be matter Of arbitrary favoritisln
md patronage, and that public station be-
olne again a post Of honor. 70 this end it
$ imperatively required that no President |
hall be Il candidate for reelection.
3. We demand a system OF Federal tax
tion which shall not unnecessarily inter-
ere with the industry of the people, and
which shall provide the means necessary to
aically administered; the pensions, the in
crest Oh 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-
,ns with regard to the respective systems OF
and free trade, we remit the dis
ussion Of the subject to the people, i'll their
districts, and to the decision
t Congress thereon, wholly free of Execu-
i've interference or dictatiOn,
7. The public credit must be sacredly
and we denounce Reputation in
very form and guise.
8. A steady return to specie payment is
emanded alike by the highest consi,lera-
ons of commercial morality and honest
overnment. III
9. We remember with gratitude the hero
IN and sacrifices OF the soldiers and sailors
the republic, and no act OF ours shall ever
etract from their justly-earncd fame, or the
Ill reward of their patriotism.
10. We are opposed to all further grants of
lrds to railroads OF other corporations.
he public domain should be held sacred to
ctual settlers.
IL. We hold that it is the duty of the Gov