The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-09-05

rights IL insists upon n strict construction
of the Federal constitution. 1t resls's all
attempts in this departments OF the govern
ment TO usurp or destroy the constitutional
rights or independence of other depart
ments. 1t opposes all interference by law
with the private affairs or business OF men
not required by public peace or safety, and
advocates the greatest individual liberty
consistent with public order. 1t believes in
the capacity of the people for self-govern-
ment, and opposes all property qualIfica-
tions as conditions to the rights OF suffrage
or eligibility to hold office. 1t favOrs a lib
eral law for the naturalization of foreigners.
1t insists upon equal and exact justice 10 all
men. 1t opposes all monopolies, and denies
that il is within the province OF the govern
ment to legislate for the benefit of particular
classes at the expense and to the detriment
of the rest of the community. 1t, therefore,
opposes the system by which large portion
of the profit-producing wealth of the coun-
try is exempted from taxation, and de-
mands that all constitutional measures shall
be used to remedy this injustice. 1t recog
nizes the evils of an irredeemable currency,
but insists that in the return to specie pay
ments care shall be taken not TO seriously
disturb the business of the country, un-
Justly iniure the debtor class. 1t appre-
ciates the benefits conferred by-railroads,
but opposes combinations of railroad com
panies to prevent competition, and thus en-
hance the cost of transportation. 1t opposes
all laws that give to capital any advantage
over labor. 1t requires honesty and econo-
my in every department, federal or state,
and it condemns corruption, whoever may
be the guilty parties 1t Is in its very ma
ture, as a necessary result of its principles,
party OF progress, and supports all meas
ures of reform or improvement that are
sanctioned by justice and commended by
sound practical wisdom.
ReSolCed That the wealth of the country
is the product of its labor, but the use of
capital is that which gives employment and
liberal wages TO the producing classes.
Hence, every just measure that tends 10
protect them from oppression and to i'm
prove their condition and dignity their call
ing, deserves and receives our sympathy
and support, and that we cordially recon-
mend the conservative resolutions adopted
at the recent national labor congress at
Cleveland, favoring arbitration and CO.
operation.
ResolUed, That, although always a large
majority of the American people, the agri-
culturists have never demanded of the gov
ernment, state or federal, any special priv
ileges, and have never infested the halls of
congress or the Legislature with lobbyists or
rings, but on the contrary have suffered un-
der discriminating laws until forbearance
has ceased to be a virtue, we hereby pledge
our sincere and honest efforts 70 obtain for
them redress of their grievances and equal
and exact Justice.
ReSolred That the public lands should be
sacredly reserved for settlers who will dwell
upon and cultivate them, and that will
continue TO denounce and oppose, as we
have always denounced and opposed all
gifts of such lands by the government to in
coTporated companies.
ReSolUed. That the greatest danger to free
institutions is the wide-spreading corrup-
tiOn that threatens the utter destruction of
pIblic virtue When credit mobilieT frauds
pass unpunished, when those engaged in
them are elevated 10 high official positions
when seats in the federal senate are notOri- !
Ously purchased, when vast sums of money
are corruptly employed in popular elections,
when an army of ofice-hOldeTs, with the
sanction of government. use their official in
fUence to control elections, when the bribery
OF custom house officers is established
usage. when rings of plunderers are the re
cipients of millions of money appropriated
for public use, when official defalcatiOnS are
of such frequent occurrence as scarcely to
excite attention, when presidential pardonS
relieve dcfaulterS from punishment, and
presidential appointments reward credit
mobllier and salary grabbing congressman,
and when congressional investigation is
generally a whitewashing affair, it is not
strange that men begin TO ,ose confidence in
free institutions, and that the fame of the
great republic is tarnished throughout the
civilized world. To remedy these evils we
insist that the receipts and expenditures of
the government shall be diminished; that
its patronage shall be curtailed and all use
less offices abolished; that it shall cease to
usurp functions TO which it has no title; that
official misconduct and fraud and corrup-
ton in elections shall be vigorously pun
ished, and that public virtue shall be up
held, and want of it condemned by the voice
of the people.
Resolred That we condemn without re-
serve the act of congress granting additional
salaries and beck pay grabs unjust and
unjustifable, and demand its immediate
and unconditional repeal, and we dcnounce
every member of congress, whether republi-
can or democrat, who supported the law OF
received the money procured thereby; and
we especially denounce the conduct of
President Grant in using the influence of
his high position for its passage, and whose
official signature made 1t a law.
ReSotUed, That we will no longer tamely
submit to the repetition of the election
frauds by which the will of the people, ex-
pressed at the ballot-bOx, has been subvert-
ed for some years past, and that the demo
cratic state central committee he directed to
use all their efforts to prevent n repetition
OF these outrages on the franchise of the
people; and, il in spite of their efforts to Sc
cure an honest election the popular will is
again fraudulently cverborne, TO adopt such
measures as will result in the certain vindi-
cation of the rights of the legal voters of
this commonwealth.
ResolUed, That the act of the President in
setting up by the bayonet a government in
louisiana not chosen by her people, and
having no title whatever to rule over them
was a haSrant violation of her rights under
the federal constitution.
ResolCed, That every department of the
government being in the hands of the re-
publican party, they are justly responsible
LOT the evils and wrongs in legislation and
administration of which the country com
plains.
ReSotred, That under the time -honored
uehoCrauc banner, with this declaration of
principles inscribed on its folds We enf-age
IN the conflict, and we earnestly appeal to
patriotic men of every class, without regard
10 party names or past differences, to unite
with us on terms of perfect equality in the
SIruESie 20 rescue the government from the
hands ot dishonest men and redeem il from
the Hood of corruption which threatens its
ruin.
The resolutions were adopted unani-
mously.
William ID. Moore, of Allegheny, moved
that the committee that has been appoint-
ed and the officers of the convention APP
point the Chairman of the State Central
Committee for the ensuing wear. Agreed
to.
1T was then moved that the members of
the State Central Committee be appointed