The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1872-05-10
THE LIBERAL" PLATFORM.

We. the liberal republicans of the
United States in national convention
assembled at Cincinnati, proclaim the
following principles as essential to just
government
/. We recognize the equality of al
men before the law. and hold thatit is
the duty of the government in its deal
ings with the people to mete out equal
and exact justice to all of whatever ma
tionality, race. color or persuasion. re-
ligious or political.
2. We pledge ourselves to maintain
the union of these states, emancipation
and reimbursement, and to oppose any
rcopening of the questions settled by
/ the 18th, 14th and 18th amendments to
the constitution.
3. We demand the immediate and alb
solute removal of all disabilities i'm
posed on account of the rebellion which
was finally subdued seven years ago,
believing that universal amnesty viii
result i'll the complete pacificatiOn Of
| all sections of the country.
4. Local self-government, with i'm
partial suffrage, will guard the rights
Of all citizens more securely than any
centralized power. The people and
the public welfare require the suprem-
acy of the civil over the military au-
tliority, and freedom of person under
the protection of the habeas corpus
We demand for the individual the larg-
est liberty consistent with public or
der, for the state self-government. and
for the nation a return to the methods
of peace and the constitutional limita-
tons of power.
5. The civil service of the govern
ment has become Il mere instrument of
partisan tyranny and personal ambi-
ton, and an object of selfish greed: 1t
is a scandal and reproach upon free in
situations, and breeds decentralization
dangerous to the perpetuity Of repub-
lican government.
6. We therefore regard thorough
reform of the civil service as one of the
most pressing necessities of the hour:
that honesty, capacity and fidelity con-
stitute the only valid claims to public
employment; that the offices of gov
ernment cease to be a matter of arbi-
trary favoritism and patronage, and
that public station become again the
post of honor. To this end it is imper-
atively required that nc president shall
be candidate for reelection.
Z. We demand a system of federal
taxation which shall not unnecessarily
interfere with the industry of the peo-
pie. which shall provide the means nee
essary to pay the expense OF the gov
eminent economically administered,
the pensions. the interest on the pub
lie debt, and moderate annual reduc-
ton of the principal thereof; and, re-
honest and irreconcilable differences
of opinions with regard to the respec-
tive systems of protection and free
trade, we remit.the discussion of the
subject to the people i'll their congress
sional districts and the decision of con-
gress thereon, wholly free of executive
interference or dictation.
s. The public credit must be sacred
ly maintained, and we denounce repu-
diation in every form and guise.
9. \ speedy return of specie pay
mcnts is demanded alike by the high
est considerations of commercial NOR
ality and honest government.
10. We remember with gratitude
the heroism and sacrifices of the sol
diers and sailors of the republic, and
no act of ours shall detract from their
justly earned fame, or the full rewards
of their patriotism.
II. We are opposed to all further
grants of lands to railroads or other
corporations. The public domain
should be held sacred to actual settlers.
II. We hold that it is the duty of the
government in its intercourse with
foreign nations to cultivate friendships
of peace by dealing with all on fair and
equal terms, regarding it alike dishon-
orable either to demand what is not
right or submit to what is wrong.
-. For the promotion and success
of these vital principles, and the sup
this convention, we invite and cordial
ly welcome the co-opperation of all
patriotic citizens, without regard to
previous political affiliations.
HORACE WHITE, Chairman.