Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1872-05-10
VOL. XVII.--NO. Al.
Address Of Committee on Platform.

1t viii form part of the history of the times
it will be read with interest by all classes.
Looking forward nnd forgetting the past, the
platform is broad and liberal:
The administration now in power has rem
dered itself guilty Of wanton disregard of the
laws of the land aud of usurpation of powers
not granted by the constitution. IL has acted
as it the laws had binding force only for those
who are governed, and not for those who gov
ern. Ii has thus struck blow at the funda-
mental principles Of constitutional government
and the liberties OF 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
VIGOROUSLY corrupt and unworthy men in
places of power and responsibility, TO the de-
lriment OF the public interests.
| lie has used the public service of the gov
ernment us machinery Bipartisan and personal
| influence, and intcrtered with tyrannica AFRO
gaece in the political Affairs Of States and mu-
| inequalities. lie has rewarded with iniluen ial
and lucrative Offices men who had acquired
his favor by valuable presents thus stimulnt-
| ing Generalization Of our political life by his
conspicuous example. lie has shown himself
| dcplorably unequal to the tasks imposed upon
him by the necessities of the country, and cul-
pably careless Of the responsibilities Of his high
| Office.
| The partizans Of the administration, nssum-
| ing TO be the republican party, and controlling
its organization, have attempted to justify such
wrons IS aud palliate such abuses to the end OF
maintaining purtsan ascendency.
They have stood in the way of necessary in
vestigatious and Indispensable reforms, pre-
tending that 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 rcscn tmcnts of the late civil war, TO use
them to their own advantage. They have
resorted TO arbitrary measures, in direct con-
lict with the organic law, instead of appeal
ing to the better instincts aud latent patriot
ism of the Southerl people, by restoring to
them those rights, the enjoyment OF which Is
indispensable TO q successful administration of
their local affairs, and would tend to pro-
mote patriotic aud hopeful national feeling.
They have degraded themselves and the name
of their party, once justly entitled TO tho con-
fdence OF the nation, l'y base sycophaucy 10
the dispenser OF Executive power and patron
age, oithy of Republican freemen. They
have sought to stine the voice of inst criticism,
to stifle the moral sense Of the people and TO
subjugate public opinion by tyrannical party
discipline They are striving to maintain
themselves in authority for selfish ends by an
INSCRIPTIONS use Of power which rghtfully
belongs to the people, and should be employed
only IN the service OF the fOuDirN.
Believing that an organization thus led and
controlled can no longer he Of service 10 tho
best interests of the Republic we have resolv-
ed 10 make an independent appeal 10 she sober
Judgment, conscience and patriotism of the
American people.
the following are the resolutions ir full:
We, the Liberal Republicans Of the United
States, in National Convention assembled at
Cincinnati, proclaim the following principles
as essential TO n just Government
Frst-We recognize the equality Of all men
before the law, and hold that it is tho duty of
the Government in its dealings with the peo-
pie TO mete out equal and exact justice TO all Of
whatever nativity, race, color or persuasion,
religious or political.
Second--We pledge ourselves TO maintain
The Union of these States emancipation and
Acknowledgement and TO oppose any reopening
of the questions settled by the Thirteenth,
Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments Of the
Constitution
Third-We demand the Immediate ard all
solutc removal OF all disabilities imposed on
account Of the rebellion, which wns finally
subducd seven years ago, believing that uni
versal amnesty will result in the complete pa
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 authori-
ty and the freedom Of person under the pro-
lection of the hnbeas corpus We demand for
the individual the largest liberty consistent
with public order, for the States sclf-govern-
ment and for the nation return TO the meth
DDS Of peace, and the constitutional limitation
of power.
Fifth-The civil service of the Government
has become n mere instrument of partisan ty-
ranny aud personal ambition, and object
of selfish greed. IT is n scandal and reproach
upon our free institutions, and breeds n de-
m OraliZation dangerous 10 the perpetuify of
republican government. We therefore, re-
gard thorough reform Of The civil service rs
one Of the most pressing necessities Of the
hour that honesty, capacity and fidelity CON
siitutc the only valid claims to public employ
ment that the officers Of the Government
cease to be matter Of arbitrary fayoritsm and
patronage, and that public stations become
again posts Of honor. To this end it is i'm
peratively required that no President shall be
Il candidate for reelection
Sixth-We demand a system Of Federal tax
alton " hich shall not unnecessarily interfere
with the industry Of the people, and which
shall provide means necessary to pay the ex-
penses of the Government, economically nd
mnistcred, pensions, the interest on the pub
lie debt, and a moderate reduction annually OF
the principal thereof, and recognizing that
there are ia our midst honest but irreconcila-
bic differences Of opinion with regard to the
respective systems Of protection and free trade,
we remit discu ssion Of the subject 10 the people
in their Congressional districts and 10 tho
decision Of Congress thereon, wholly free of
Executive interference or dictation.
Seventh-The public credit must be sacredly
maintained, and we den0unce reputation in
every form and guise.
Eigbih--A speedy return 10 specie payments
is demanded alike by the highest considers-
items Of commercial morality and honest gov
eminent
Ninth--Wc remember with gratitude the
heroism and sacrifices Of the soldiers and call
ors Of the Republic, ma no act Of ours shall
ever detract from their justly earned fame or
the foil reward Of their patriotism.
Tenth-We are opposed to all further grants
Df lands TO railroads or other corporations.
The public domain should be held sacred to
actual settlers.
Elcventh--We hold that II is the duty Of
he Government 10 its intercourse with foreign
nations to cultivate the friendship Of peace by
treating with all on fair and equal terms, re-
garding it alike dishonorable either 10 demand
what is not right, or to submit TO what is
wrong.
Twelfth-For the promotion and success Of
these vital principles and the support Of the
candidates nominated by this Convention, we
invite and cordially welcome the cooperation
Of all patriotic citizens without regard to pre-
vious political affiliations.
lSigned), iloRAcs WHITE,
Chairman Of Committee on Resolutions
G.. ?. THURsToE,
Secretary