American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-09-04
THE REPUBLICAN, Platform
ADOPTED N STATE CONVECTION AuouDI
18Th. 1878

The Republican party of the Stat
of Mississippi in Convention Assem-
bled, thankful to an All-wise an,
bountiful Providence for a continu
snce of His kindly care and proteC
ton, do re assert our adhesion ia
and confidence in those we'll trie'
and time-honOred principles t.
which alone we can look for q pre-
servation of our liberties, and TO
isll the blessings of civil govern
ment:
!. The preservation of the Nation
al Union.
2. The maintenance of the Consti
tuition and the strict enforcement o.
the laws
8. Equal rights and privileges tt
all.
4. Freedom of speech, freedom Of
the press, freedom of the ballot, and
legal protection to the voter.
B. Universal education aud free
schools, presenting the benefits Of
education to every child in the
State.
6. The most decided and emphat.
ic opposition to the formation OF
parties based upon race. color, OF
religious belief.
z Rigid economy, equal and uni.
form taxation.
8. Opposition to fostering monop-
Olies at the expense Of the masses.
8. Honesty, capacity and fidelity,
the test of political preferment.
10. That We congratulate the par
~ of the State on the successful
and economical administration of
Gov. Ames, and We pledge him our
earnest support in his efforts in the
reduction of taxes and enforcement
Of the law.
IL. We renew our advocacy of BIZ
ennial SESSIONS of the Legislature,
while We express our regrets that
the acts of certain laWless persons,
as we'll a. other unfortunate circum-
stances. have served to thwart our
purpose in this matter. Thus de.
monstrating that it is much easier
to destroy than It is to restore civil
government.
IL. Weare most earnestly in favor,
and insist upon, the General Gov.
eminent extending its fostering caro-
and protection to the vast agricul-
tural interests Of the Mississippi
Valley, as it does to the commercial
and mercantile interests of the
country. by Immediately taking
Of the levees.
Is. We favor biennial elections.
and to this end We advocate such
amendments to the Constitution
and the enactment Of such laws %
will provide for the holding of all
general elections at the same time
that Representatives. are elected to
Congress.
IA. We are opposed to lending to
railroads, or other corporations, the
funds donated by Congress to this
State for educational purposes, and
We demand the repeal by the next
Legislature of the law by which the
Agricultural Scrip and the Chicka-
saw School Funds have beea divert
ed from the sacred object contempla-
ted by the donors.
ID. We are opposed to burdening
the reconstructed State Of Missls-
sippi with the payment of the old
Union and Planters
bank bonds, debt (if debt it can be
called, contracted by the Locofoco
Democracy and by chem repudiated,
and We pledge ourselves by every
lawful means in our power, to resist
the assumption, by the State gov
Of any and all such pre-
tended debts, aud for this purpose
We commend for ratification by the
people ct the polls at the ensuing
election, the following proposed
to the Constitution of
this State. add to section of ar
Gle II, the following words, to-wit
Nor shall the State assume, redeem,
OF pay, Indebtedness, or pre-
tended Indebtedness claimed to be
due by the State of Mississippi, to
any person, association or incorpor.
alton, whatsoever, claiming the same
as owners, holders, or assignees of
any bond or bonds now generally
known ~ the Union Bank or Plan
ters' Bank bonds.)
16. We also favor the ratification
of the amendment proposed to Sec
ton 6, article s of the Constitution,
relating to fines, forfeitures, ETC., in
the support of public schools; and
the proposed amendment to section
II, article 6 of the Consultation, re.
lating to division of the State iuto
Q convenient number Of Ohancery
Districts.
IL. One of the prime wants Of our
State is q greater population, for
is wealth. Through their
from foreign nations the
North and West have become great,
rich, and powerful. The State, as
we'll as societies and individuals,
should lend its aid to induce immi-
grafton from all parts OF the world.
We have millions of acres of unoc-
cupied lands of unsurpassed fertili-
~ our manufacturing interests are
in their infancy the trades, pro-
LESSONS and mechanic arts offer the
most inviting attractions; and We
favor immigration without regard
10 nativity. race, religion or politics.
There is room and welcome for all,
with soil capable IF supporting q
of ten millions.
18 LET us have peace" The war
closed more than ten years ago, yet |
and violence keep from us |
the blessings of peace; they turn to |