The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-07-27
Liberal Republican Platform.
Address and Declaration of Principles
Adopted by the Convention Of Liberal
Republicans IN Cincinnati, May 3rd
1872.

Au0pG60 Dy tne U0nT6nuon OF 4l06ral
| Republicans IN Cincinnati, May Bird
| 1872.
THE ADDRESS
The administration now in power has rend,
cred itself guilty of wanton disregard of the
laws of the land, and has usurped powers
not granted by the Consultation. 1t has
acted as II the laws had binding force only
for those who are governed, and not for those
VINO govern. 1t has thus struck 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 defriment of the publie
interest He has used the public service of
the Government as a machinery of partisan
and personal influence, and interfered with
tyrinnical 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 eulpably 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 attemnted 10
justify such wrongs and palliate such abuses,
to the end OF maintaining party aseendaney.
lhey nave stood in the way of necessary in
| designations and indispensable reforms pre-
tending that no serious fault could DO found
with the present administration of public
| affairs, thus seeking to blind the eyes of the
people They have kept alive the passions
ana resenfments of the late civil war to use
| them for their own advantage. They have
resorted to arbitrary measures in direct con-
met 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
| patriotic and hopeful national feeling
They have degraded themselves and tho
name OF their party, once Justly entitled to
the confidence of the nation, by a base syeo-
phancy to the dispenser of executive power
and patronage unworthy of Republican free
men Ihey sought to stifie the voice of just
criticism, to stiffe the moral sense of the Deo-
pie, and to suhiugate public opinion by
tyrannical party discipline. They are striv-
ing To maintain themselves in authority for
selfish ends by an interruptions use of the
power which rightfully belongs to the people.
and should be employed only in the service
OF the country.
controlled can no longer be 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 rs essential to just Govern
ment: .4.-- =
/. We recognize the equality of all men
before the law, and hold that It is the duty
OF Government in its dealings with the pco-
pie to mete out equal aud exact Justice to all.
OF whatever nativity, race, color, or persua-
sion, religious or political
=. We pledge ourselves to maintain the
Union OF these States, emancipation, and en-
franchisenent, and to oppose any reopening
of the questions settled by the Thirteenth.
Fourteenth, and Fifteenth amendments to
the Constitution
g. We demand the immediate and abs,,-
lutte removal OF all disabilitiesimposed ON ac-
count of the rebellion which was finally sub
dued seven years ago, believing that uni
versal amnesty will result in complete paci-
hcation IN all sections OF the country.
4. Local self-government, 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 i.,-
dividual the largest liberty consistent with
public order, for the State self government,
and for the nation return to the methods of
pence and the constitutional limitations Of
power.
5. 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 u scandal and reproach
upon free Institutions, and breeds democrat
izatiOn dangerous to the perpetuity of repub.
hcan government. We therefore regard such
thorough reforms of civil service us are of
the most pressing necessities of the hour;
that honesty, capacity, aud fidelity censti-
tute the only valid claims to public employ
ment; that the offices of the Government
cease to be o matter of arbitrary favoritism
and patronage, and that public station be-
come again q post of honor. To this end il
is imperatively required that no President
shall he candidate for reelection.
g. We demand system of Federal tax
alton which shall not unnecessarily inter-
fere with the industry of the people, and
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 q moderate re-
duction annually of the principal thereof;
and recognizing that there are in cur midst
honest but irrec0ncilable 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, aud to the decision
of Congress thereon, wholly free of Execu-
tive interference or dictati0n.
2. The public credit must be sacredly
maintained, and we denounce reputation in
every form and gaise.
). A steady return to specie payment ia
demanded alike by the highest considera-
tions of commercial morality and honest
government.
9. 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.
10. We are opposed to all further grants of
lands TO railroads or other corporations.
The public domain should be held sacred to
actual settlers.
IL. We hold that it is the duty of the Gov
ernment, III its intercourse with foreign ma
tons, to cultivate the friendship of peace, by
treating with all ON fair and equal terms, re-
garding 1t alike dishonorlble either to de-
mand what is net right, or to submit to what
is wrong.
II. For the promotion and success of these
aA.H H. u - n