National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-02-20
WHAT SHALL BE THE PLATFORM OF 1876

The so called Arkansas case has ceased
to be local or sectional question. 1t has
taken on national aspects and proportions
The questions of constitutional law and
governmental policy thus arising and seek
ing solution at the hands of Congress, rep
resisting as they do the entire Southern
situation, must necessarily present one of
the fundamental planks of the Presidential
platform Of 1876.
In a recent issue of THE REPUBLICAN
the doctrines presented in the conclusions
of the Poland report are set forth. The
opposite theory is ably presented in the re-
port and resolution of Mr.. Ward, of the
same committee. Our conception of the
Ward view of the question is embodied in
the form of resolution. We here present,
side by side, the two systems. Surprising
the two presented-as they doubtless will
be in substance-before the vast National
Convention of the Republican party, we
ask Republican members of Congress now
to determine which they will adept and go
to the country upon.
Here they are:
TIE fOLAND ELAA- AhA ALAA-
FORM. FORM.
Resolved, That the ReSolUed, That the
people of the States of people of the States of
this Union have the this Union have only
inherent right to abro- the right and power
gate and create State to change their funda-
governments at pleas mental law in the
ure, regardless of the manner therein pre-
forms of law or the scribed, or in pursu-
provisions CT the con- ance of an act of the
stitution of the State Legislature, duly and
under which they may, legally passed, author
for the time being, be iZing vote of the peo-
living, and in the eXer- pie, to be taken there
else Of this power they on, In manner not in
have the unquestioned consistent with the
right to resort to such constitution and laws
irregularities" as con- of said State, and that
spiracy to prevent the in the exercise of this
legally-elected officers power they have no
of State from obtain right to resort to such
ing possession of their crimes as entering into
offices usurpation of q conspiracy to pre-
office, upheld by bri- vent the legally elect
berry and armed resist ed officers of State
ance to the judgment from obtaining their
ofthe courts; pretend Offices usurpation of
ed laws destroying the Office upheld by bril-
secrecy of the ballot berry, and armed resist
fraud, intimidation, ance to the judgment
violence, suppression of the courts; pretend
of the courts by mar ed and unconstitution-
tial law or by the Leg al laws, destroying the
islature for the sole secrecy Of the ballot
purpose of preventing fraud, intimidation,
the electors from test violence, suppression
ing the validity Of the OF the courts BY mari
action Of the Legisla- tlal law, or by the
ture or that OF the Legislature, for the
constitutional convon- sole purpose Of pre-
ton, and the suppress venting the electors
sion Of the public will from testing tho valid
by placing tho ballot. ny OF tho action Of
boxes In Tho hands Of the Legislature, or that
men who arc IN no Of tho constitutional
manner responsible for convention, and tho
making fraudulent 70. suppression Of tho pub
turns and that IN tho lie will by placing tho
exercise Of these rights baliotIbo&os IN the
there IL no power in,oF hands OF mon who arc
duty incumbent upony In no manner Tesponsl.
tho General Govern bic for making fraud
mept or any depart ulent returns that
ment thereof, 10 pro- governments estab-
tect an existing State lished by and through
government, or make such violations Of law
Inquiry into the fact and the rights Of elect
as 10 whether State ors are revolutionary
government has been and void, and that
legally abrogated and when It ID shown to
q mother substi- the Congress of the
tuted In its place by United States that q
legal and Peaceable change of government
proceedings adopted has been effected by |
and pursued by the such means, 1t is the |
authorities and people duty of the General
of the State, and that Government and the
State governments Executive thereof to
thus established are uphold and sustain the
republican in form and existing legal govern
have the exclusive ment of said State IN
power of determining til another has been
all questions affecting substituted in its place