The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-06-29
The Platform.

When in the economy of Providence,
this land was TO &c purged Of human slavery
and when the strength of the government
OF the people, by the people and for the
people was to be demonstrated, the Repub-
lican party came into power, It's de eds
have passed into history, and we look back
to them with pride, melted by their memo
res and high aims for the good of our
country aid mankind; and looking to the
future with nntaulterign courage, hope and
purpose, we, the representatives Of the par
iy in National Convention assembled, make
the following declaration Of principles
First-rhe United States of America is
a nation, not league by the combined
workings of the National ami State gov
ernmenis. Under their respective Con-
ttitutions the rights Of every citizen are
secured ut home and protected abroad and
the common welfare promoted.
Second-The Republican party has pre-
served those governments to the hundredth
anniversary of the nations birth, and they
are now the embodiment of great births
spoken at its cradle, that '.all men are
created equal, that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain inalienable
rights, Among which are life, liberty and
the pursuit of happInnessj that for the at
tainment of these ends governments have
been instituted among men, deriving their
just powers from the consent of the gov
ernei " Until those truths are cheerfully
obeyed, or if needed to be, vigor ously en-.
foised, the work Of the Republican party
is not finished.
Third-The permtneht pacifcatior of
the Southern section of the Union, the eom=
pete protection of all its citizens in the free
enj uyment Of all their rights are duties to
which the Republican party is saeredly
pledged, the power to provide fer the en-
forcement Of the principles embodied in
the recent constitutional amendments in
| the Congress Of the United States and we
| declare it to be a solemn obligation Of the
legistive and executive departments of the
/ Government TO put into immediate and
vigorous exercise oil their constitution
powers for removing any just cause of dis
content on the part ally class, and secur-
/ ing every Amerieun citizen complete liberty
and exact equality in the e*er else Of all
civil; political and public fights. To this
end we imperatively demand Congress
and chief Executive whose courage and
fidelity to theses duties shall not talter un-
iii these results are placed beyoh dispute
or recall.
Fourth--In the frst act Of Congress
signed by President GRAFT, the National
Government assumed to remove any doubts
of its purpose to discharge all just obliga'
tions 10 public creditors, and solemnly
pledged its faith to make a provision at the
earliest practicable period for the re.
demption of United States notes in coin,
Commercial prosperity, public morals and
national credit demand that this promise
be fulfilled by continuous and steady pro
gress to specie payments.
Ffth-Under the Constitution the Presi
dent and heads OF departments are t.
make nominations for office. The Senat,
is to advise and consent 10 the appointmen
and the House of Representatives is to &C
cuse and prosecute faithless officers, Th
best interests of the public service demand
that these be respected, that Senators ant
Representatives who may be judges and &C
eusers should not dictate appointments t,
offceI The invariable rule for appoint
ments should have reference to the honesty
fidelity and capacity of appointees, givin!
to the party in power those places wher
harmony and Sigor of administration re
quires its policy to be represented, bu
permitting all others TO be filled by per
fsons selected with sole reference to tn
efficiency of the public service and tn
right OF citizens 10 share in the honor 0
rendering faithful service to their country
sixth-We rejoice in the quickened con
science of the people concerning politics
affairs and will hold all public officers
rigid responsibility, and engage that th
prosecution and punishment of all who b'
tray official trusts shall be speedy, ,thoroag
and unsparing.
Seventh-The public school system
the several States is the bulWaIk of tll
| American public, and with g view 10 i