The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-05-25
Liberal Republican Platform.
Address and Declaration of Principles
Adopted by the Convention of Liberal
Republicans in Cincinnati, May Bird,
o70
THE ADDRESS.

hepuDneans II Umclnnatl, May oTd
/ 1872.
THE ADDRESS
The administration now in power has rend-
cred itself guilty of wanton disregard of the
laws of the land, and has usnrped powers
not granted by the Constitution. 1t has
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 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 VIGOROUSLY 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
and personal influence, and interfered 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 neeessi-
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-
I IT'S nave attempted
justify such wrongs and palliate such abuses,
to the 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 the 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
resorted to arbitrary measures, in direct con-
| fiict 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 for successful administration
of their local affairs, and would tend to move
a 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 base syco-
phancy to the dispenser of executive power
and patronage unworthy of Republican free
men. They sought to stitie the voice of just
criticism, to stife the moral sense of the peo-
pie, and to subiugate public opinion by
tyrannical party discipline. They are striv-
ing to maintain themselves in authority for
selfish ends by an INSCRIPTIONS use of the
power which rightfully belongs to the people,
and should be employed only in the service
of the country. &aa
Believing that an organization thus led and
contributed cdn no longer De OF service TO the
best interests of the republic, we have re-
solved to make an 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
ment:
/. We recognize the equality of all men
before the law, and hold that it is the duty
of Government in its dealings with the peo-
pie to mete out equal aud exact Justice to ALL
of whatever nativity, race, color, or persua-
sion, religious or political.
2. We pledge ourselves to maintain the
Union of these States, emancipation, and en-
franehisement, and to oppose any reopening
of the questions settled by the Thirteenth,
Fourteenth, and Fifteenth amendments to
the Constitution.
3. We demand the immediate and abso-
lutte removal of all disabilities imposed on ac-
count of the rebellion which was finally sub
dued seven years ago, believing that uni
yersal amnesty will result in complete paei-
ficatiolin all sections of the country.
4. Local selfgovernment, with impartial
suffrage will 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
freedom of person under the protection of
the habeas corpus. We demand for the in
dividual the largest liberty consistent with
public order, for the State selfgovernment,
and for the nation return to the methods of
peace and the constitutional limitations of
power.
S. The civil service of the Government has
become mere instrument of partisan TYR
amy and personal ambition, and an object
of selfish greed 1t is scandal and reproach
upon free institutions, and breeds democrat
ization dangerous to the perpetuity of repub
liean government Wetherefore regard such
thorough reforms of civil service ms are of
the most pressing necessities of the hour;
that honesty, capacity, and fidelity constr
tute the only valid claims to public employ
nent: that the offices of the Government
cease to be n matter of arbitrary favoritism
and patronage, and that public station be-
come again post of honor. To this end it
is imperatiyely required that no President
shall be candidate for reelection.
6. We demand a system of Federal tax
alton which shall not unnecessarily inter-
fere with the industry of the people, aand
which shall provide the means necessary to
pay the expenses of the Government, econo-
mically administered; the pensions, the in
terest on the public debt, and moderate re-
duetion annually of the principal thereof
and, recognizing that there are in our midst
honest but irreconcilable differences of opin-
ions with regard to the respective systems of
protection and free trade, we remit the dis
cussion of the subject to the people, in their
Congressional districts, and to the decision
of Congress thereon, wholly free of Exeeu-
tive interference or dictation.
z. The public credit must be sacredly
maintained, and we denounee Reputation in
every form and guisc.
g. A steady return to specie payment is
demanded alike by the highest eonsidera-
government.
g. We remember with gratitude the hero
ism 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 reward of their patriotism.
TO- We are opposed to all further grants of
lands to railroads or other corporations.
The public domain should be held sacred to
actual settlers. Es.
H. We hold that it is the duty of the Gov