Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-05-16
The Cincinnati Platform.

give below the platform of principles
adopted by the Greeley and Brown
Convention, at Cincinnati. Most Of
the planks are Democratic and sound
to the core. They real thus.
Fa'St.' We recognize the equality Of
all men before the law, and hold that
it is the duty Of Government in its
dealings with the people to mete out
equal and exact justice to all Of what
ever nativity, race, color or persua-
sion, religious or political.
Secoad!' We pledge ourselves to
maintain the union of these States,
emancipation and cnfranchisement,
and to oppose any reopening Of the
questions settled by the Thirteenth,
Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amend
ments to the Constitution.
Wrd.' We demand the immediate
and absolute removal of all disabili-
ties imposed on account of the Rebel
lion, which was finally subducd seven
years ago, believing that universal
amnesty will result in complete paci.
fication in all sections Of the country,
FdmM' Local sefgovemment, 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 authori
ty, and freedom OF person under the
protection Of the habes corpus We
demand for the individual the largest
liberty consistent with public order ;
for the State, selt-government, and TO-
the nation q return to the methods Of
peace and the constitutional limita-
tons Of power
fVM. The Civil Service Of the
Government has become Il mere in
strument Of partisan tyranny and per
sonal ambition and an object Of sci
fish greed. 1t is a scandal and re-
breach upon free institutions and
breeds demoraliaztlon dangerous to
the perpetuity Of republican govern
ment We therefore regard such
thorough reforms Of the Civil crvice
as one Of the most pressing necessi-
ties Of the hour; that honesty, capaci-
ty and fidelity constitute the only val
id claim to public employment; that
the offices ofthe Government cease to
be matter of arbitrary fuyoritism
and patronage, and that public station
become again Il post of honor-To
this end it is imperatively required
that no President shall be candidate
for reflections
Sirh: We demand n system of
Federal taxation which shall not un
necessarily interfere with the industry
OF the people, and which shall provide
the means necessary to pay the expcn
ses Of the Government economically
administered, the pensions, the inter
est on the public dept, and moder.
ate reduction annually of the princi
pal thereof; AMI. recognizing that
there are in out midst honest but IT.
reconcilable differences of opinion with
regard to the respective systems Of
Protection and Free Trade, we remit
the discussion Of the subject to the
people in their Congress Districts, and
to the decision of Congress thereon,
wholly free Of Executive interference
Or dictation
Secentt: The public credit must be
sacredly maintained, and we denOunce
regulations in every form and guisc.
Eighth: a speedy return to specie
payment is demanded alike by the
highest considerations of commercial
and honest government
Ninth: We remember with graft
tude 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 reward Of their patriotism.
7enth: we are opposed to all fur
Their grants of lands to railroads or
other corporations The public DO
main should be held sacred to actual
settlers.
Wece0M: We hold that it is the
duty OF the Government, in its inter
course with foreign nations, to cult
vate the friendship of peace, by treat
ing with all on fair and equal terms,
'egarding it alike dishonorable either
10 demand what is not right, or to
submit to what is wrong.
Twelfth: For the promotion and
success of these vital principles and
the support of the candidates nomina
ed by this Convention. we invite and
welcome the co operation of
al patriotic citizens without regard to
previous affiliations.
HORACE WHITE,
Chairman OF the Com. on Resolutions.
&. II, THuRsroN, Secretary.