Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-06-16
The Radical Platform.

lapd was to be purged OF human slavery, anu
wheu the strength of the government of the
people, by the people, Tor the people, was to be
demonstrated. the Republican, party came into
power. Its deeds have passed into history, and
We look back to them with pride. l0cltcd by
their memories and high aims for the good OF
our country aud mankind, and looking to the
future with untatering courage, hope and pur
pose, we, the representatives OF the party, IN
National Convention assembled. make the tol
lowing declaration OF principles:
The United States OF America is nation,
not league; by the combined working OF the
National and State Governments under their
respective constitutions, the rights OF every ctl
zen are secured at homo and protected abroad,
and the common welfare promoted.
The R publican party has preserved those
governments to the huudrcdth anniversary OF
the pation's birth, aud they are now cmbodl-
ments of the great truths spoken at It's cradle.
that all men are created equal that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain lnalcna-
BILE rights, among which are lite, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness; that tor the attainment
of these ends governments have been lostituted
among men, deriving their just powers from
the consent of the governed until those truths
are cheerluly obeycd, ifneeded TO be vigorously
eOIpTCcu, luc WUl D VI tuC 1tSpuuiiSoo po1lS 40
unfinished.
The permanent paciicatiou of the Southern
section of the Uoiou, the complete protection
Of all its citizens 10 the free enjoyment OF all
their rights are duties to which the Republican
party are sacrcdly pledged. The power to pro
vide for the enforcement OF the principles EN-,
bodied 10 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
executive 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, aud securing every American citizen com
plete liberty and exact equality in the exercise
of all civil, political and public rights. 10 this
end we imperatively demand Congress and
chet executive whose courage and fidelity 10
these duties shall not talter until ,hes: results
are placed beyond dispute or recall.
In the first act of Congress sigued by Prcsl-
dent Grant the national government assumed
to remove any doubts OF its purpose TO dis
charge all just obligations to public creditors,
aud soiemuy pledged its faith to make provls-
ion at the earliest practicable period for re-
dcmption OF the United States notes 10 coin.
Commercial prosperity, public morals and ma
tional credit demand that this promise be fu!
filled by continuous aud steady progress TO
specie payment.
Uoder the Constitution the President and
heads oil departments are to make o. m!aatlous
for Office; the Senate is to advise and conscut
to the appointments, and the House oil hep
reseutatiVes is to accuse and prosecute talthlcss
officers. The best interests OF the public ser
vice demand that this distnctness be respect
ed that senators and representatives, who may
be jul yes and accusers, should not dictate APP
poiutments to Office. The nvarlable rule for
appointments should have reference to the
honesty. fidelity aud capacity OF appoInteeS;
giving TO the party 10 power those places where
harmony and vigur of administration require
its policy to be represented, but permitting all
others to be filled by persons selected with sole
reference to efficiency of public service, and
the right of citizens to share in the honor OF
rendering faithful service to their country.
We rejoice in the qulckened conscience Of
the people, concerning political affairs; will
hold all public officers to rigid responsibility,
and engage that the prosecution aud punish
ment of all who betray official trusts shall be
speedy, thorough and unsparng.
The public school system of the several
States is the bulwark of the American repub-
lic and with view 10 its security aud peruia-
nence We recommend an amendment to the
Constitution of the United States, iorbiddipg
the application of any public funds or property
for the benefit of any schools Or Institutions
under sectarian control.
The revenue necessary for current expendi.
lures aud the obligations Of the public debt
must be largely derived from duties upon im-
portations, which, so far as possible, should be
adjusted to promote the interest OF American
labor, and advance the prosperity of the whole
country.
We reaffirn our opposition to further grants
of the public lands to corporations and mouop
olies, and demand that the national domain be
devoted to free homes for the people.
1t is the imperative duty of the government
to so modify existing treaties with European
governments that the same protection shall be
afforded to adopted American citizens that is
given to native born. and all necessary laws b.
passed to protect emigrants in the absence of
power 10 the state for that purpose.
1t is the immediate duty Of Congress to fully
investigate the effect of the emigration and
impor tation of Mongolians Cd the moral and
material interests OF the country.
The Republican party recognizes with APP
prevail the substantial advance recently made
toward the establishment of equal rights for
HOWCu ny loC "ouy lLiip'i'nut
effected by Republican Legislatures 10 the laws
which concern the personal aud property rela
tons OF wives, mothers and widows and by
the appointment and election OF women to the
superntcndeDca of education, charities acd
other public trusts. The honest demands OF
this class of citizens for additional rights aud
privileges and immuDites should betreated with
respectful consideration.
The Constitution confers upon Congress SOW
ereign power over the territories of the Uuitci
States for their government, and 10 the cxcr
else of this power, it is the right and duty Of
Congress to prohibit and extirpate in the ter
ritories that relic Of barbarism, poygamy, and
W. demand such legislation as shall secure this
end, and the supremacy of American iusttu
tions 10 all the territories.
The pledges which the nation has given to
our soldiers and sailors must be fulfilled; the
grateful people will always hold those who
periled their lives for the country's preserva-
tioD 10 the kindcst remembrance.
We sincerely deprecate all sectional feeling
and tendencies; We therefore note with deep