The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1872-05-17

/
dealings with the people to meet ou
equal and exact justice to all, of whai
ever nativity, race color or persuasion
/ religious or political.
Second = We pledge ourselves t
maintain the UniOn of these States
emancipation and franchisement, an,
to oppose any re-opening Of the quee
tions settled by the Thirteenth, -Four
teenth and Fifteenth Amendments t
the Constitution.
Third I'VE demand the immediat
and absolute removal of all disabilitie
imposed on account of the rebellion
which was finally subdued seven year
| ago, believing that universal amnesty
| will result in complete paeification il
all sections of the country.
Fourth-Local self-government, will
impartial suffrage, will guard the right,
of all citizens, more securely than any
centralized power. The people, the pub
lie welfare requires the supremacy o.
the civil over the military authority
and freedom of person under the pro.
lection of the habeas corpus. We de-
mand for the individual the largest
liberty consistent with public order for
the States self-gczernment and for the
nations return to methods OF peace
and the Constitutional limitations OF
power.
Fifth--1he civil service of the gov
ernment hos become mere instrument
of partisan cbicanery and personal am
bitiOn and an object of sefish greed.
1t is scandal and reproach upon free
institutions, and breeds q demOraiizs-
ton dangerous to the perpetuity of re-
publican government.
sixth We therefore regasd q
thorough reform in the civil service as
one of the most pressing necessities of
the hour. That honest capacity and
fidelity constitute the only valid claims
to public employment. That the offices
of the government cease to be . matter
of arbitrary avoritism and patronage,
and that public station become once
more q post of honor, and it Is inn
peratively required. that no President
shall be candi,lated for reelection.
Seventh-We demand 3 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 ex-
penses of the government economically
the pensions, tho interest
ON the public debt, and q moderate an;
nual reduction Of the principal thereof;
and recognizing that there are in our
midst honest, but irreconcilable differ
enccs7 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 Con.
grressional districts and the decision of
Congress thereon, wholly free Of ex.
interference or dictation.
Eighth-the public credit must be
maintained, and We dencunce
In every form and guise.
Ninth-A speedy return to specie
payment is demanded alike by the
highest considerations Of commercial
and honest government.
Tenth-We remember with gratitude
the heroism and sacrifices of the soldiers
Of the Republic, and no act OF ours
shall ever detract from their justly
earned fame or the full rewards of their
patriotism.
Eleventh-we are opposed to all
further grants OF lands to. railroads or
other corporations. The public domain
should be held sacred 70 actual settlers.
Twelftb-We bold that it is the duty
nf the government in its intercourse
with foreign nations to cultivate friend.
ship and peace, by treating with ali ON
fair and equal terms, regarding it alike
either to demand what is
not right or 20 submit 10 what Is
ThIrteenth-In the promotion and
success of these vital principles, and
The support of the candidates nOmi-
mated by this Convention, we invite
aud cordially welcome the cooperation
,f all patriotic citizens, without regard
to previous political affiliations.
HORACE WHITE,
Chin Of the Com. on Resolutions.