Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-05-07
Liberal Republican Platform.
ADDRESS OF COMMITTEE.


laws OF the land, and of usurpation of powers
not granted by the Constitution. Ithas acted
as 1t the laws had binding force only for those
who are governed, and not for those who
govern. 1t has thus struck a blow at the fun.
damental principles of constitutional govern,
ment and the liberties of citizens The Presi
dent of the United States has openly used the
powers and opportunities of his high Office
for the promotion of personal ends BE has
kept VIGOROUSLY corrupt and unworthy men in
places of power and responsibility to the det-
riment of the public intererests.
He has used the public service of the Cow
eminent as machinery of partisan and personal
influence. and interfered with tyrsnnical ar
roganca in the political affairs of States and mu-
inequalities He hasrewarded with Influential
and lucrative Offices men who had acquired
his favor by valuable presents, thus stimulat-
ing Generalization of our political life by his
conspicuous example He has shown himself
deplorably unequal to the tasks imposed upon
him by the necessities of the country. and
culpably careless of the responsibilities of his
high Office.
The partisans the Administration, assum.
ing to be the Republican party and controls
ing its organization, have attempted to ius.i-
fy such wrongs, and paliate such abuses, to
They have stood in the way Of necessary
investigations and indispensable reforms. pre-
tending that no serious fault could be found
with the present administration of public af-
fairs, thus seeking to blind the eyes of the
people. They have kept alive the passions
and resentuents of the late civil war, to use
them to their own advantage. They have
resorted to arbitrary measures, in direct con-
fict 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 to successful administration
of their local affairs. and would tend to pro-
mote patriotic and hopeful national feeling.
They have degraded themselves and the name
OF their party, once justly entitled to the con-
hdence OF the nation, by a base sycophancy
to the dispenser of executive power and pa.
tronase, unworthy of Republican freemen.-
They have sought to stife the moral sense of
the people and to subjugate public opinion by
tyraunicacal party discipline. They are striv>
ing to maintain themselves in authority for
selfish ends by an INSCRIPTIONS use of power
which r'ghtfully belongs to the people. and
should be employed only in the service Of the
country.
Believing that an organization thus led and
controlled can no longer be of service to tho
best interests of the Republic, we have re-
solved to make an independent appeal to the
suber Judgment, conscience and patriotism of
the American people.
The following are the resolutions in full
We, the Liberal Republicans of. the United
States, in National Convention assembled at
Cincinnati, proclaim the following principles
as essential to a just Government:
First-We recognize the equality of all
men before the law, and hold that it is the
duty OF the Government in its dealings with
the people to metc out equal and exact Justice
to all Of whatever nativity, race, color or per.
snason, religious or policlca
Second-We pledge ourselves to maintain
the Union of these States, emancipation and
reimbursement, aud to oppose any reopening
of the questions settled by the Thirteenth
Fourteenth aud Fifteenth Amendments of the
Constitution.
Third-We demand the immediate and ab.
solute removal of all disabilities imposed on ac
count of the rebellion, which was finally sub
dued seven years ago, believing that uni-
versal amnesty will result .in the comnlete
pac.hcation OF all sections of the country.
Fourth-Local self government. with i'm.
partial suffrage, will guard the rights Of all
citizens more securely than any centralized
power. The public welfare requires the su
premacy of the civil over the military authors
lty, and the freedom Of person under the pros
lection OF the habeas corpus. We demand
for the individual the largest liberty consists
ent with public order, for the States selfoov.
eminent, and for the nation return to the
methods ct peace and the constitutional lin.
itation of power.
Fifth-The civil service of the Government
has become mere instrument of partisan tvs
ranny and personal ambition, and an ohiec.
of selfish greed. 1t is scandal and renroach
upon our free institutions, aud breeds do.
moralIzatlon dangerous to the perpetuity of
republican government. We, therefore re>
gard thorough reform of the civil service an
one OF the most pressing necessities of the
hour; that honesty. capacity and fidelity cons
st'tute the only valid claims to public employ
ment; that the officers of the Governments
case to be matter OF arbitrary favortism and
patronage, and that public stations became
again posts of honor To this end it is ims
peratlvely required that no President shall be
a candidate for re election
Sixth-We demand system of Fedora,
taxation which shall not unnecessarilv intar.
fere with the industry of the people. and
which shall provide means necessary to paw
the expenses OF the Government. economicallv
administered, pensions, the interest on the
public debt, and moderate reduction annu-
ally OF the principal thereof and recognizing
that there are in our midst honest. but ire
concllab'e differences ofopnion with regard to
the respective systems of protection and free
trade, VIC remit discussion of the subjcc. to
the people in their Congressional districts. and
to the decision of Congress thereon. wholly
free OF Executive interference or dictation.
oeventh-Ihe public credit must be sacred
ly maintained, and we denounce reputation
in every form and guise
Eshth-A speedy return to specie pay
ments is demanded alike by the highest con-
siderations of commercial morality and honest
government.
Ninth-We remember with gratitude the