New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-09-17
PLATFORM OF THE NATIONAL. RE
PUBLICAN PARTY.
Adopted ss C,ne,....,. In. ,s,a


AoeDee4 q C1nc1nnatls June is, 1876.
When in the economy Of Providence this
land was to be purged of human slavery.
and when the strength of the government
OF the people, by the people, for the people,
was 10 % demonstrated, the Republican
party came into power. Lite deeds have
passed INTO history, and We look back to
them with pride. Incited by their memories
aud with high aims for the good Of our coun
try and mankind, and looking to the future
Win unfaltcring courage, hope and pur-
pose, we, the representatives OF the party
~ national convention assembled, make the
following declaration of principles:
Flrst-The United States of America Ia a
nation, not . league. BY the combined
workings of the national and Srate govern
the rights of every citizen are secured at
home and protected abroad, and the CON-
mon welfare promoted.
Second-Ths Republican party has pro-
served these governments to the hundredth
~ niversary Of the nations birth, and they
are now embodimerts Of the great truths
spoken at is cradle, "thst all men are Gro
ated equal. that they are endowed BY their
Creator with certain inahenable rights,
among which are life, liberty and the par
suit OF happiness; that for the attainment
OF these ends governments have been insti-
tuted among men, deriving their Just
powers from the consent of the governed"
Until these truths are cheerfully Obeyed,
and, if need be, vigorously enforced, the
work of the Republican party is unfinished.
Third-The permanent paoi6cstiOn Of the
Southern section of the Union, and the COM
plete protection Of ali Its citizens ia the free
enjoyment of all their rights are duties to
which thu Republican party is sacredly
pledged. The power to provide for the en-
forcement of the principle, embodied in the
recent constitutional amendments is vested
by those amendments in the Congress of the
United States, and We declare it to be the
solemn obligation OF the legislative and ex-
ecutive departments Of the government to
put into immediate and vigorous exercise
all their constitutional powers for removing
any just causes of discomfort on the part
OF any class, and securing TO every Amer
lean citizen complete liberty and exact
equality in the exercise of all civil, political
and public rights. To this end We impera-
lively demand q Congress and chief execu-
tive whose courage and fidelity to these du-
ties shall not falter until these results are
placed beyond dispute or recall.
Fourth-In the frtt act of Congress
signed by President Grant, the national
government assumed to remove any doubt
Of its purpose to discharge all just obhga
tons to the public creditors, and eolemniy
pledged it's faith to make provision at the
earli- st practicable period tor the redsmp-
ton of the United States notes in coin. Com
mercial prosperity, public morals and the
national credit demand that this promise be
fulfilled by q continuous end steady pro-
gress to specie payment.
Fitth-Under the constitution, the Presi-
dent aud heads Of departments are to make
nominations for Office, the Senate IL to ad-
wise and consent to appointments. and the
House OF Representatives Is to accuse and
prose cute faithless officers. The best inter-
ests OF the public service demands that these
distinctions be respected, that Senators and
Representatives, who may be judges and
sccusers, should not dictate appointments
to office. The invariable rule tor appoint
ments should have reference to the hon
estv, fidelity and capacity of appoinrees,
giving to the party in power those places
where harmony and vigOr of ADMINISTERS.
ton require it's policy to DO represented,
but permitting all Others to be filled By
persons selected with sole reference to the
effici. ncy of the public service and the right
of ali ciliz-ns to share IN the honor OF rem
dering faithful service to their country.
Sixth-We rejoice in the quickened con.
science of the people concerning political al
fairs. We will hold all public officers to rig d
responsibility, and engage that the proseco-
ton and punishment Of all who betray
official trusts shall be speedy, thorough and
unsparing.
Seventh-Tbe public school system OF the
several States ia the bulwark OF the Ameri-
can republic, and with . view to it's security
aud permanence, We recommend an amend
neDt to the constitution of the United States,
forbidding the application Of any public
funds or property for the benefit OF any
school or institution under sectarian control.
htn- hn
rent expenditures, and the obligations OF
the public debt must be largely derived
from duties upon importation, which, 60
far as possible, should be adjusted as to pro
mote the interests of American labor, and Ad-
vance the prosperity of the whole country.
Nin,h-We reafirm our opposition to
further grants of the public lands to cor
porations and mcnopolies, and demand that
the national DOMAIN be devoted TO Tree
homes for the people.
Tenih-It is the imperative duty Of the
government so to modify existing treaties
with European governments that the same
prot. ction shall be afforded to the adopted
American citizens that is given to the native
born, and all necessary laws be passed TO
Or. tect emigrants, in the absence OF power
in the STATES tor that purpose.
Eeveuth-It is the immediate duty OF
Congress to fully investigate the ehsct OF
the immigration and importation OF Mon
Roljans upon the moral and material inter
ests of the country.
Twelith-The Republican party recog-
nizes with approve, the substantial ad-
vance recently made toward the establish
ment of equal rights for women, bv the
many important amendments Effected oy
Republican Legislatures in the laws which
concern the personal and property relations
of wives, mothers and wldOwe, and BY the
appointment and cleo ion of women to the
observation-disclosures of education, charities and
other public trusts. The honest demands OF
this class of citizens for additional rights.
privileges and immunities should be treated
with respectful consideration.
Thirteenth-The constitution confers upon
Congress sovereign power over the Terri
tories of the United States for their govern
ment, And in the exercise of this power,
it is the right and the duty OF Congress to
prohibit and extrpate IN the Territories
that relic of barbarism, poiygamy; ana we
demand such legislation as will secure THIS
end, and the supremacy of American insti-
tutiops in all the Territories.
Fourteenth-The pledges which the ma
ton has given to our soldiers and sailors
must be fulfilled. The grateful, people will
always hold those who periled their lives
for their country'e preservation in the
kindest remembrance.
Fifteenth - We sincerely deprecate all
sectional feeling and tendencies. We there
fore note with deep solicitude that the
Democratic party counts, as its chief hope
Ak4 nj a