The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-08-03
Liberal Republican Platform.
Address and Declaration Of Principles
Adopted by the Convention of Liberal
Republicans in Cincinnati May 3rd
1872, 3ift IA3lE3aH
TIE ADDRESS.

1872. 81 'HaT
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, IL has
acted as If the laws had binding force only
for those who are governed, and mot 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 notorioIisly corrupt and
unworthy linen III pl;'ces of power and re-
sponsibiity. to Il 2 Z ;triment of the public
interest. He has used the public service of
the government as a machinery of partisan
and personal influence, and interfered with
tyraniiicai 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 deplorabIy unequal to
the tasks imposed upon him by the neeessi-
ties OF the country, and culpably careless eff
the responsibilities of his high Office.
The partisans OF the administration, as
Stunning to be the Republican party and con-
trolling its organization, have attempted to
justify such wrongs and palliate such abuses,
to the end OF maintaining party ascendancy.
They have stood in the way of necessary in
designations 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 uss,
them for their own advantage. They have
resorted to arbitrary measures. in direct con
fiiet 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
indispensab Bile for successful administration
OF their local affairs, and would tend to move
q 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 a base syco-
phancy to the dispenser of executive power
and patronage unworthy of Republican free
men. They sought to stife the voice of lust
criticism, TO stifie the moral sense of the peo-
pie, and to subjugate public opinion by
tyrannieal party discipline. They are striy-
ing to maintain themselves in authority for
selfish ends by an INSCRIPTIONS use Of the
power which rightfuliy belongs TO the people,
and should be employed only in the service
of the country. SAYS u si@s! $3.50
Believing that an organization thus led and
controlled can no longer be of service to the
best interests of the republic, We have re-
solved TO make an independent appeal to tho
sober Judgment, conscience, and patriotism
of the American people E @ Uta
THE DECLARATION OF PRISCIrLEs g
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: fisEkt s2f TI7t
i. We recognize the equality of all men
before the law, and hold that it ia the duty
of Government III its dealings with the peo-
pie to mete out equal and exact Justice to all.
of Whatever nativity, race, color, or pers.ia-
sion, religious or political Fsa8 - Us p
2. We pledge ourselves to maintain the
Union OF these States, emancipation, and en-
reimbursement, and to oppose any reopeaing
of the questions settled by the Thirteenth,
Fourteenth, and Fifteenth amendments to
the Constitution. tEsE .,E5zfE#F5s
3. We demand the immediate md abso-
lutte removal of all disabilities imposed on nc
count OF the rebellion which was finally sub
dned seven years ago, believing That uni
yersal amnesty will result in complete paci-
fication in 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 hdbeds c0S.pns. We demand for the in
dividual the largest liberty consistent with
public order, for the State self-goyernment,
and for the nation return TO the methods of
peace and the constitutional limitations of
power. 1851 ttt Et51
5. The civil service of the Government has
become a mere instrument of partisan tyr
amy and personal ambition, and an object
of selfish greed. 1t is a scandal and reproach
upon free institutions and breeds a deilioral-
izatiOn dangerous to the perpetuity of repub-
lican government. Wetherefore regard such
thorough reforms of civil service US are of
the most pressing necessities of the hour;
that honesty, capacity, and fidelity consti-
tute the only valid claims to public employ
ment; that the offices of the Government
cease to be a matter of arbitrary fayoritisnl
and patronage, and that public station be-
come again post of honor. To this end it
il imperatiyely required that no President
shall be u candidate for reelection.
:. We demand a 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, eeono-
lnicaily administered; the pensions, the in,
terest on the public debit and moderate re-
duetiOn annually OF the principal thereof
| and. recognizing that there are in eur midst
honest but irree0ncilable differences of opili-
ions with regard TO the respective systems OF
protection and free trade, we remit the dis
c,ssion of the subject to the people, in their
Congressional districts, and to the decision
of Congress thereon, wholly free of Exeeu-
|. tive interference or dietatioT
7, The public credit mnst be sacredly
maintained and We denounee Reputation in
| every form and guise. "a, sgt8s5I s ffs4s
g. A steady return to specie paymsrt is
demanded alike by the highest considers
tions of commercial morality and honest
! government. 3lH ftsfstsE
O. We remember with gratitude the hero
ism and sacrifices of the soldiers and sailors
of the republic, and no act of ours shall ever
| detraet from their justly-earned fame, or the
| full reward of their patriotism. asz
10. We are opposed to all further grantsof
| lands to railroads or other corporations,
| The public domain should be held Sacred to
actual settlers. a =
L.. We hold that it is the duty of the Gov
efnHlent, in its intercourse with foreign ma
tons, to cultivate the friendship of peace, By
treating with all on fair and equal terms, re
garding it alike dishonorable either To de.
| nand what is not right, or to submit to what
is wrong. ~ %
| IL. For the promotion and success of these
vital principles and the support of the can
didufsas ur9sliua faI 1.y THU fsn