National Republican., 1876-07-07
p Z a T T o r. M
OF THE
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN PARTY

When in the economy of Providence, this
land was to be purgeI of human slavery, and
when the strength of the government of the
people by the ~ ople AMI for the people was to
be demonstrated, the Republican party came
into power. Its deeds have passed into his
tory, and We look back to them with pride.
Incited by their memories and high aims for
tie GOOD of our country and mankind, and
looking to the future with courage, hope and
purpose, We, the representatives of the party,
the National Convention assembled, make the
follow ing declaration of principles
!. Tie United States of America is a nation,
not a league. BY the combined working of
the national and State governments, under
their respective constitutions, The right> Of
every citizen are secured at home and pro ected
abroad.
>. The Republican party has preserve these
Cove rlmruis to the huureith anniversary of
the nations birth, and they are now the en-
bOGimcnts of the glcat truths spoken at its
cradIe-''Ibat all men are created equal; that
they are endowed by their Creator with certain
iDaiicnahle rights, among which are life, lib
erty and the pursuit Of happiness; that for the
attainment OF these cEds governments have
been instituted among men, deriving their just
powers from the consent OF the governed"
Until these truths are che riully oneyed, or,
if need he, vigorously enforced, the work of
the Republican party is unfinished.
>. Tie permanent paciiicatiOn of the South
erl SGCilOh Oh inc ulOu, anu IIc COUlpiGLC
protection OF its citizens in the free enjoyment
Of all their rights are duties to which the Re-
publican party stands sacredly pledged. The
power to provide for the enforcement of the
principles embodied in the recent conStitu-
tiomal amendments is in the Congress of the
United States, and we declare it to be the
solemn obligation of the Legislative and EX-
ecutivc Departments of the Government to
put into immediate and vigorous use all their
constitutional powers for removing anv just
causes of disContent on the part of any class,
and for securing to every American citizen
complete liberty and exact equality in the eX-
ercise of all civil, political and private rights.
To this end we imperatively demand Con-
gress and Chief Executive whose courage
and fidelity to these duties shall not fater
until these results are placed beyond dispute
or recall.
4. In the first act of Congress signed by
President Grant, the National Government as
sumed to remove any doubts of its purpose to
discharge its just obligation to public creditors,
and solcmnly pledged its faith to make provi-
SIGN, at the earliest practicable moment, for
the redemption of United States notes in coin.
Commercial prosperity, public morals and the
national credit demand that this promise be
fulfilled by a continuous and steady progress
to specie payment.
5. Under the Constitution the President and
heads of departments are to make nomna-
consent to the appointments, and the House
of Representatives is to accuse and prosecute
faiih!ess officers. The best interests OF the
public ST ryice demand that these distinctions
be respected, and that Senators and Represen-
tatives, vino may be judges and accusers,
should net dictate appointments to office. The
iEvariable rule for appoint ments should have
reference to the honesty, fidelity and capacity
| of the appointees, preftrring friends of the
party il power for places where harmony and
VilOr OF ;idmi nstratiOn require its policy TO be
| represented, but permitting all others to be
| flied hy persons selected with sole reference
| to the efficiency of the public service and the
right OF all citizens to share in the honor of
| rendering faithful service to their country.
6. We rejoice in the Guickened conscience of
the Itopie concerning political affairs, and will
hold all public officers to rigid responsibility,
and engage that the prosecution and punish
ment OF ali who betray official trusts shall be
speedy, thorough and unsparing.
| T. The public school system of the several
| States is the bulwark of the American Repub-
| lie, and, with view to its security and perma-
mence, We recommend an amendment to the
| Constitution of the United States forhidding
the application of any public funds or prop
cry for the benefit of any schools or institu-
| tiOns under sectarian schools.
s. The revenue necessary for the current ex-
| penditures and the obligation of the public
| import atiOns, which, so far as possible, should
| be ad listed to promote the interest of Ameri-
can laLor and advance the prosperity Of the
| whole country.
8. We reafiirm our opposition 10 further
| grants of the public lands to corporations and
| monopolies, and demand that the national do
main be devoted to free homes for the people
| 10. II is the imperative duty of the Govern
ment to modify existing treaties with European
| Governments, that the same protection shall
| be afforded to the adopted American citizen
that is given to the native born, and that all
| necessary laws should be passed to protect
immigrants in the absence CT power in the
| States for that purpose.
II. 1t is the immediate duty of Congress to
investigate the effect Of the immigration and
| importation of MOngolians upon the moral
aid material interests of the country
II. The Republican party recognize with ap-
prOval the substantial advance recently made
toward the establishment of equal rights for
Women, by the many important amendments
| effected by Republican Legislatures in the
| laws which concern the personal and property
relations of wives, mothers and widows, and
| by the appointment of women to the superin-
tendence Of education, charities and other hub
lie trusts. The honest demands of this class
OF citizens for additional rights and privileges
and immunities should be treated with respect
| Iul consideration.
sovereign power over the Territories of the
United States for their government. In the
| exercise OF this power, it is tue right and the
| duty of Congress to prohibit and eXtirpate in
the Terrii Ories that relic of barbarlsm, polyg-
amy, and we demand such legislation as shall
secure this end and the supremacy of Ameri-
can Institutions in all the Territories.
IA. The pledges which the nation has given
to our soldiers ard sailors must be fulfilled.
| The grateful people will always hold those
| who pcriled their lives for the country's pres
ervatiUn in the kindest remembrance.
Is. We sincerely deprecate all sectional
feeling AMI tcndcnt les. We therefore note
| with deep sol'citude that the Democratic
| party counts as its chief hope of success on
the electoral vote of a united South, secured
| through the efforts of those who were recently
arrayed against the nation; we invoke the
| earnes -ttention Of the country to the grave
| truth that a success thus achieved would re-
! open sectional strife and imperil the national
| honor and human rights.
16. We charge the Democratic party as
| hemgtLe same in character and spirit as when
| it sympathized with treason; with making its
| control of the House of Representatives the
| triumph and the opportunity of the nation S
| recent foes; with reasserting and applauding
! in the National Capitol the sentiments of Tn
reperted rebellion; with sending Union SOL
| dirrs to the rear and promoting Confederate
soldiers to the front: with deliberately pro-
posing to repudiate the plighted faith of the
| Government; with being equally false and
imhecile upon the overshadOwing financial
| QUESTION; with thwarting the ends of justice
| by its partisan misIlanagement and obstruc-
| tien of investigations: with proving itself
| through the period of its ascendancy in the
Lower House Of Congress, utterly incompetent
to administer the Government. We warn the
country against trusting a party thus alike
unworthy, recreant and incapable.
II. The National Administration merits
CONNIE nlatinn for It's honorable work in the
management of our domestic and foreign
affairs, and President Graut deserves the con
tinued and hearty gratitude Of the American
people for his patriotism and immense services