Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-06-07
TINE CONVENTION.
z GI H.1-L. 4
THE PEPusLIoAN PLATFORM.

| Aho ANepuulchu ,neiu AZ InilhQolDlIla
June and 8, 1872 =
The Republican party OF the United States,
| assembled in National Convention in the city OF
| Philadelphia on the 9Th and 9th days OF June,
1872, again declares its faith, appeals 10 it's his
tory, and announces it's position upon the ques-
tions before the country :-
First. During eleven years Of supremacy ii
has accepted with grand courage the solemn du-
ties Of tho time. II Suppressed gigantic rebel
| lion, emancipated four mill ions Of slaves de-
creed the equal citizenship OF ALL and establish,
ed universal suffrage. Exhibiting unparalleled
magnanimity, it cdminaly punished no man
for political offences, and warmly welcomed
all who proved loyalty by obeying the laws
and dealing juptly with their neighbors. II
has steadily decreased with firm hand the re-
sultant disorders Of great war and initiated
a wise and humane policy toward the Indians.
| The Pacific Railroad and similar vast enter
| prises have been generously aided and sue
/ oesfuly conducted the public lands freely
| given TO actual settlers, immigration proteo-
| ted and encouraged, and full acknowledge
| meDt NJ the naturalized citizens rights secured
| from European powers. uniform national
currency has been provided, reputation
| frowned down, the national credit sustained
| under the most extraordinary burdens, and new
| bonds negotiated at lower rates. The revenues
| have been carefully collected and honestly APP
| piled. Despite annual large reductions Of the
i rates of taxation, the public debt has been re-
duced during General Grants Presidency at the
rate OF hundred millions year, great hnAn-
i cial crises have been avoided, and peace and
plentyprevai throughout theland. Menacing for
\ eign difficulties have been peacefully and hon
orably composed, and the honor and power OF
the nation kept in high respect throughout
the world. This glorious record Of the past is
| the partys best pledge for the future. We be-
lieve the people will not entrust the Govern
msnt to any party or combination of men COM
| posed chiefly Of those who have resisted every
step Of this benefcent progress.
Second. The recent amendments to the Ma
tionAl Constitution should be cordially sustained
because they are right, not merely tolerated be-
cause they are law, and should be carried out
according to their spirit by appropriate legsla-
| ton, the enforcement OF which can safely be
entrusted only to the party that secured those
amendments.
Third. Complete liberty and exact equality in
| the enjoyment Of all civil, political and public
| rights sheuld be established and efectuAlly
maintained throughout the Union, by efficient
and appropriate State and Federal legislation.
| Neither the law nor its administration should
admit any discrimination in respect of citizens
by reason OF race, creed, color or previous con-
dition of aervtude.
Fourth The National Government should
seek to maintain honorable peace with all ma
tions, protecting its citizens everywhere, and
sympathizing with all peoples who strive for
greater liberty.
Fifth. Any system Of the civil service under
which the subordinate positions Of the Govern
ment are considered rewards for mere party
zeal is fatally demoralizing, and we therefore
favor a reform OF the system by laws which
shall abolish the evils Of patronage, and make
honesty, efficiency and fidelity the essential
qualifications for public positions, without prac-
tically creating life-tenure Of office.
Sirtt. We are opposed to further grants Of
the public lands to corporations and monopolies,
and demand that the national domain be set
apart for free homes for tho people. : = y :
SeUeFth. The annual revenue, after paying
current expenditures, pensions. and the interest
on the public debt, should furnish a moderate
balance for the reduction OF the principal, and
that revenue, except much may be deri-
we'd from a tax upon tobacco and liquors.
should be raised by duties upon importAtions,
the details OF which should be 30 adjusted as to
aid in securing remuneratiye wages to labor
and promote the industries, prosperity, and
growth OF the whole country.
Eighth. We hold in undying honor the soldiers
and sailors whose valor saved the Union. Their
pensions are a sacred debt Of the nation, and the
widows and orphans Of those who died for their
country are entitled TO the care Of q generous
and grateful people. We favor such additional
legislation AZ will extend the bounty of the gov
ernment to all our soldiers and sailors who were
honorably discharged, and who, in the line OF
duty, became disabled without regard to the
length of service or the cause Of such discharged
Ninth. The doctrine Of Great Britain and
other European powers concerning allegiance
-"once a subject always a subject" having,
at last, through the efforts Of the Republican
party, been abandoned, and the American idea
Of the individuals right to transfer allegiance
having been accepted by European nations, il
is the duty Of our Government to guard with
jealous care the rights Of adopted citizens
against the assumption Of unauthorized claims
by their former governments, and we urge con-
timed careful encouragement, and protection
OF voluntary immigration.
Tenth The franlpg privilege ought to be
abolished, and the way prepared for speedy
reduction In the rates Of postage.
hleUentb. Among the questions whioh press
for attention is that which concerns the rela-
tions Of capital and labor, and the Republican
party recognizes the duty Of so shaping egisla-
ton az to secure full protection and the amplest
field for capital, and for labor-the creator OF
capitalize largest opportunities and just
share Of the mutual profits Of these two great
servants Of civilization.
dent have only fulfilled an imperative duty in
their measures for the suppression Of violent
and troasonable organizations in certain lately
rebelious regions, and for the protection of the
box, and therefore they are entitled to
| the thanks of the nation.
Thirteenth. We denounce reputation Of the
public debt in any form or disguise, national
crime. We witness with pride the reduction Of
| the principal OF the debt, and Of the rates Of
| interest upon the balance; and confidently ex-
pect that our excellent national currency will be
| perfected by speedy resumption Of specie pay
ment.
Fourteenth. The Republican party is mindful
Il Ol OulBdilohb " tuo lOgdl VI fhhohion
for their noble devotion to the cause Of freedom.
/ Their admission to wider fields Of usefulness is
viewed with satisfaction, and the honest demand
/ Of any class OF citizens for additional rights
should be treated with respectful consideration.
Fitletnh. We heartily approve the action OF
| Congress in extending amnesty to those lately
/ in rebellion and rejoice In the growth Of peace
/ and fraternal feeling throughout the land.
Sixteenth. The Republican party proposes to
respect the rights reserved by the people to
| themselves as carefully as the powers delegated
| by them to the State and to the Federal Gov
| ernment 1t disapproves OF the resort to uhcon-
/ stitutonal laws for the purpose OF removing
evils, by interference with rights not surrender
/ cd by the people to either the State or the Ma
| tional Government.
| SeUenteenh 1t is the duty OF the General Gov
/ ernment to adost such measures as may tend to
encourage and restore American commerce and
shipbuilding.
| triotism, the earnest purpose, the sound iudg-
/ ment the practical wisdom, the incoruptible
integrity and the illustrious services OF Ulysses
| s. Grant have commended him to the heart Of
the American people, and with him at our head
/ we start to day upon a new march to victory.
Nineteenth. Henry Wilson, nominated forthe
| Vice Presidency, known TO the whole land from
/ the early days Of the great struggle for liberty
as an interchangeable laborer in all campaigns, an
| incorruptible legislator and representative man
| Of American institutions, is worthy to associat
with our great leader and share the honors
which we pledge our best efforts to bestow upon
| than