Ottumwa weekly courier., 1876-08-30
NATIONAL REpunI.lcAN PLAT

When, in the economy Of Providence. this land
was TO be purged Of human slavery, anc when the
strength Of the Government Of the people, by the
Republican party % came into power. It's deeds have
passed into history, and We look back to them with
pride. fncited BY their memories and high aims
for the good OF our country and mankind, and
looking to the future with unfateriug courage,
hope and purpose, we, the representatives OF the
party, in national convention assembled, make the
following declaration Of principles:
!. The United States Of America Is a nation, not
league. By the combined workings of the National
andstate Governments, under their respective con.
sttutions the rights Of every citizen secured ct
home and protected abroad, and the common wei
fare promoted.
a. The Republican party has preserved those gov.
ernments to the hundredth anniversary of the Ma
tons birth, and they are now the embodiments OF
the great truths spoken Of at its cradle: That ali
men are created equal; that they are endowed by
which are life, liberty, and the pursuit Of happi
ness that for the attainment of these ends govern
ments have been instituted among men, deriving
their just powers from the consent Of tho gov
erned until those truths cheerfully obeyed, or
II need be, vigorously enforced. The work of the
Republican party is unfinished.
s. The permanent pacfcation Of the Southern
section Of the Union, and the complete protection
OF its citizens in the free enjoyment of ali their
rights, are duties to which the Republican party
stands sacrodly pledged. Tho power to provide for
the enforcement Of the principles embodied In the
recent constitutional amendments is vested by those
amendments in the Congress- Of the United States,
Legislative and executive departments Of the Gov
ernment to put into immediate and vigorous exer-
else al their constitutional powers for removing
any just causes Of discomfort on the part OF any
class, and for securing to every American citizen
complete liberty and exact equality in the exercise
Of Al civil, political and public rights. To this end
we impe-ativey demand Congress and . chief ex-
ecuitve whose courage and fidelity to these duties
shal not faer until these results placed beyond
dispute or recall.
l. In the hrst act Of Congress signed by President
Grant, the National Government assumed 10 remove
any doubts Of It's duty to discharge all just oblga-
hons to public creditors, and solemnly pledged lts
faith to make provision at the earliest practicable
period for the redemption of United States notes In
coin. Commercial prosperity, public morals, and
national credit demand that this promise be full
filled by continuous and steady progress to specie
payments.
8. Under the Constitution, the President and
heads Of departments are to mako nominations for
office. the Senate s to advise and to consent to ap.
pontments, and the House Of Representatives d 10
accuse and prosecute faithless officers. The best
interests Of the p0blic service demand that these
distinctions be respected; that Senators and Repre-
sentatives who may be judges and accusers
should not dictate appointments to Office. The
inyariable rule for appointments should have
reference to tho honesty, fidelity, and cspaclty Of
places where harmony and vigor Of administration
requires its policy to be represented butpermitaine
reference 70 the efciency Of the pubic service md
the right Of al citisenH to share in the honor Of
rendering faithful serv,c. to their country.
poos nna n 81 s
public officers to rigid responsibility and engage
that the prosecution and puhisme mt Of all who be-
tray official trusts shall be speedy, thorough and
4 The public school system OF the several States
u the bulwark Of the American Republic and with
It, snd s
United States forbidding the application Of any pub
Lie fund or property for the benefit of any schools
or Institutions under sectarian control.
n fonr
turee and the obligations Of the public debt must be
largely derived from duties on importations which,
% far as possible, should be adjusted to promote
prosperity Of the whole country
y. We reAfhrm our opposlttyc % further grants Of
the pubic lands to corporations and monopolies,
ana demand that the national domain lie devoted to
tree homes for the people.
10. Il Is the imperative duty Of the Governmental
to modify existing treaties with European Govern
ments that the came protection shall be afforded to
tne adopted American citizen that ia given to the
natve.born, and that all necessary laws should be
passed - TO R protect @ Immigrants in the absence Of
IL. It is the immediate duty Of Congress to fully
investigate the effect Of the immigration and i'm
poftation Of Mongolians upon the moral and ma
terial interests Of the country.
u. The Republican party recognizes with ap-
proval the substantial advance recently made to-
ward 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 moth
ers, and widows, and by the appointment and cleo
charit.es % Il % ana other ID pubic trusts The honest de-
mands Of this class Of citizens for additional righte
and privileges and immun,ties, should be treated
with respectful consideration.
Is. The Constitution confers upon Congress SOW
ereign power over the Territories Of the United
States for their government, and in the exercise of
this power H. the right and the duty Of Congress.
to prohibit and extrpate in the Territories that
relic OF barbarian, polygamy, and We deinand such
legislation shall secure this end and the supreme
acy Of American institutions in all the Territories.
IL. The pledges which the nation has given to our
soldiers and sailors must be fulfilled. CRATE
full people will always hold those who periled their
lives for the countrys preservation in the kindest
is. We sincerely deprecate all sectional feeling
and tendencies We therefore note with deep 30
ncitude that the Democratic party counts as its
chief hope Of success upon the electoral vote Of the
united South secured through the efforts OF those
who were recently arrayed against the nation, and
we invoke the earnest attention Of the country 10
the grave truth that success thua achieved would
reopen sectional strife and imperl national honor
and human rights.
.s We charge the Democratic party as being the
anne In character an6 spirit as when II tsympathized
with treason with making Its control Of the House
of Representatives. the triumph and the opportunity
Of the nations recent foes; with reasserting and
applaudng In tho National Capitol the sentiments
Of unrepenant rebellion; with sending Onion SOL
dieis to the rear and promoting Confederate SOL
ders TO the front; with deliberately proposing to
repudiats the plighted faith of the Government; !;
with being equally false and imbecile with over
shadowing the ends of justice by its partisan mani
| agement and obstruction Of investigation; with
proving itself, through the period of its ascendency
| tent to administer the Government. We warn the
/ country against trusting party thus alike un-
| worthy, recresnt, and incapable.
mendation for its honorable work in the manage
ment or domestic and foreign affsirs, and Presi-
dent Grant deserves the continued and hearty
gratitude OF the American people for his patriotism
and llg immense services In and in