The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1872-05-11
Opelousas, Parish Of st. Landry, La, May, IL 1872.
Resolutions of the Cincinnati
GOmven tiOn.

The following is q full text of resolutions
We, the Liberal Republicans Of the United
States. in National Convention assembled at
Cincinnati. proclaim the following principles aG
essential TO Il Just government
|. We recognize the equality of all men before
the law and hold that it is the duty OF the Gov
ernmcnt i'll its dealings with the people to meet
out equal and exact Justice to all, OF whatever
nativity, race, color OF persuasion, religious OF
political.
;. We pledge ourselves to maintain the union
Of these States, emancipation and cntranchise
ment. and to oppose any reopeninG Of the Ques
tions settled by the Thirteenth and FOurtechth b
Amendments of the Constitution
/ 3, We demand the Immediate and absolute
removal OF all disabilities impUS.d on account OF
rebellion, which T7as finally Suhdutd seven years
ago, believing that universal amnesty will result
in complete pacltcatiOn i'll all sections Of the
country.
f. Local self lfgovernment with impartial suf.
frage will guard the rights of all citizens more
securely than any centralized power. The pub
lie welfare requires the supremacy OF the civil
over tile military authority and freedom "t person
under the protection of the habt;ls corpus. We
demand for the individual the largest liberty
consistent with public order for the State self
government, and for the nation return TO the
methods OF peace and the constitutional limita
ton OF power.
D The civil service of the government has be-
come mare instrument of partisan tyranny and
personal ambition. and an object of selfish greed.
and is 4 scandal and reproach upon free nstitu-
tlOnS and brands Il decentralization dangerous to
the perpetuity OF the Republican government.
We therefore regard a thorough reform OF the
civil service one of the most pressing neccS-
sites of sthe hour. That honesty. capacity and
fidelity constitute the only valid claims to pub
lie employment. That the offices of the govern
ment cease to be matter of arbitrary t.ayOritism
and patronage. and that public station shall
become again the post of honor. TO this end it is
l1nperatlyely required that no President shall be
a candidate for reelection.
We demand Federal taxation which shall not
unnecessarily interfere with the industry of the
people. and which shall provide the means ne
cessary to pay the expenses of the Government.
economically administered. pensions, the inter
est on the public ebs. and am0dcrate reduction
annually of the principal thereof. and recog-
nlZlng that there are in our midst honest though
irrecuneiabe differences Of opinion with regard
to the respective systems of protection and free
trade. We remit the discussion of the subject
to the people i'll their Congressional districts and
to the decision of Congress thereon wholly free
of executive interference iictatiOn.
!. The public credit must be sacrcCliv MAIN
tanned and We denoUncc rcpudiatiOu in every
form and guiSe.
s. A speedy return to specie payment is de-
manded alike by the highest cOnsidcrltiO Of
commercial morality and honest government.
=. We remember with gratitude the herOisln
and sacrifices OF the soldiers and sailors of the
Republic and 10 act Of ours shall ever detract
from their justly earned fame Or the full rewards
of their patriotism.
TO- We are opposed to all further grants of
lands to railroad or other corporations. The
public domain should be held sacred to actual
settlers.
II. We hold that it is the duty of the Govern
ment. IN its intercourse with foreign nations
to cultivate the friendship Of peace by treaty
Wlth all nations OH fair and equal terms regar-
ding it alike dishOnorable either to demand what
is not right or to submit to Nhat is wrong.
T.. For the promotion and success Of these
vital measures and the support of the candidates
nominated by this Convention. We invite and cor
daily welcome the cooperation of all patriotic
citizens without regard to political affairs.
HORACE WHITE.
Chairman Com. ON Resolutions