The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1874-07-03
Liberal Republican,, and Dem.
Ocratie Platform.

/. We recognize the equality of all
men before the1aw, and hold that it il
the duty of the Government, in its deal,
ings with the people, to mete out equal
and exact justice to all, of whatever ma
tivity, race, color, ~rpersuasion, relig-
ious or political.
2. We pledge ourselves to maintain
the union of these States, emancipation
and enfranchisement, and to oppose any
r%eopening of the questions settled by the
18th, 18th and 18th amendments of the
Constitution.
3. We demand the immediate and alb
solute removal of all disabilities imposed
ON account ofrebelliOn, which was finally
subdued seven years ago, believing that
universal amnesty will result in com
| plete pa%citicatiOn in all sections of the
country.
4. Local self-gOyernment, with impair
tial suffrage, will guard the rights of all
citizens more securely than any central
lied power. The public welfare requires
| the supremacy Of the civil over the mil
itary authority, and freedom of person
under the protection Of the habeas cor
pus. We demand for the individual the
largest liberty consistent with public
order, and for the State self government,
and for the nation Il return to the meth
DDS of peace and the constitutional linn
itatiOns of power.
5. The civil service of the Government
has become a mere instrument Of parts
an tyranny and personal ambition, and
an object of selfish greed, and is Il scan
dial and reprOach upon free institutions,
and brands II decentralization dangerous
tofthe perpetuity of the Republican gov
eminent; we therefore regard q thor
Ough reform of the civil service as one
of the most pressing necessities of the
hour; that honesty, capacity and fidelity
constitute the only valid claims to public
employment that the offices of the Gov
eminent a to be a matter of arbi-
trary favOritism and patronage, and that
a public station shall become q post of
honor; to this end it is imDeratively re-
CURED that no President shall be a cam
dldate for reelection. ~..
s. We demand federal taxation which
shall not unnecessarily interfere with
the industry of the people, which shall
provide the ean necessary to pay the
expenses of the Government economic
ally administered, pensions, the interest
on the public debt, and a moderate re-
ductiOn annually offthe principal there
OF; and, recognizing that there are in
our midst honest though rrecOncilable
differences of opinion with regard to the
respective systems of protection and free
trade, we remit the discussion OF the
subject to the people in their Congress
siOnal districts, and to the decision of
Congress thereon, wholly free of Execu-
tive interference OF dictatiOn. ... 4
7. The public credit must be sacredly
maintained, and we denounce repUtdia-
ti0n in every form and guise. nn& 4mf5t5
8. A speedy return to specie payment
is demanded alike by the highest con-
siderations OF commercial morality and
honest government. .....r !...
8. We remember with gratitude the
llerolSm and sacrifices of the soldiers and
sailors of the Republic, and no act of
ours shall G detract from their Justly
earned fame or the just rewards of their
patriotism. srr- 80. -.
10. We are opposed to all further
grants of land to railroad OF Otlier.cor-
porations,, The public domain should
be held sacred to actual settlers.
IL. We hold that it is the duty of the
Government, i'll it's intercourse with for
eign nations, to cultivate the friendship
of peace by treaty, with all on fair and
equal terms, regarding italike dishonor-
able either to demand what is right or
submit to what is wrong. ....st-..
10. For the promotion and success of
these vital principles and the support of
the candidates nominated by this Con-
yentlon, we invite and cordially welcome
the cooperation of all patriotic citizens,
without regard to political affairs. I'll