New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-13
PLATFORM OF THE NATIONAL RE
PUBLICAN PARTY.

Adopted as Cincinsati. Jane Is. 1876.
When in the economy Of Providence this
land vaa to be pufged of human slavery,
and when the strength Of the government,
Of the people, by the people, for the people,
was to BE- demonstrated, the Republican
partv came into power. Its deeds have
passed into history. and We look back to
them with pride. Incited by their memories
and with high aims for the good OF our coun
with unfalteriDg courage, hope and pur
pose, We, the representatives OF the party
in national convention assembled, make the
following declaration Of principles:
Flrst-The United States of America is 9
nation, not . league. By the combined
workings of the national and State govern
mente, under their respective constitutions
the rights Of every citizen are secured 81
home and protected abroad, and the com
Seccnd-The Republican party has pre-.
served these governments to the huDdredth
anniversary Of the nations birth, and they
are now embodiments OF the great truths
spoken at its cradle, that all men are Gre
ated equal, chat they are endowed by then
Creator with certain inalienable rights,
among which are life, liberty and the pur-
OF theee ends governments have been lnsti-
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.
Ihird-The permanent pacifcaflcn OF the
Southern section Of the Union, and the c0E-
plete protection of all its citizens in the free
enjoyment of all their righte are duties to
which the Republican party is sacredly
pledged. The power to provide for the en-
forcement Of the principle, embodied in the
yecen. constitutional amendments ie vested
by thcee amendments in the Congress of the
United States, and We declare it to be the
solemn obligation Of the legislative and ex-
put into immediate and vigorous exercise
all their constitutional powers for removing
any lust causes Of discomfort on the part
OF any clsee, and securing 70 every Amer
loan citizen complete liberty and exact
equality in the exercise of all civil, political
and public rights. To this end We impersr
lively demand 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 first act of Congress
signed by President Grant, the national
government assumed to remove any doubt
Of its purpose to discharge all just obIga'
tons to the public creditors, and sOlemnly
pledged it's faith to make provision at tne
| 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 and steady pro-
grees to specie payment.
Fifth-Under the constitution, the Presi-
dent and heads of departments are to make
nominations for Office, the Senate is to ad-
wise and consent to appointments, snd me
House Of Representatives Is 20 accuse ana
prosecute faithless officers. The best inrer-
eets of the public service demands that these
distinctions be respected, that Senators and
Representatives, who may be judges and
accusers, should not dictate appointments
to office. The invariable rule tor appoint
ments should have reference to the hon.
eety. fidelity and capacity OF appolnteee,
giving to the party IN power those places
where harmony and vigor OF administrs-
ton require ia policy to be represented.
but permitting all others to be filled by
persons selected with sole reference TO the
efficiency Of the public service and the right
of all citizens to share in the honor OF rem
derirg faithful service to their country.
Si4th-We rejoice in the quickened con-
science Of the people concerning p0iltlcai al.
fairs We will hold all public officers to rigid
responsibility, and engage that the prosecu-
ton and punishment of all who betray
official trusts shall be speedy, thorough and
unsparing.
Seventh-The public school system of the
several States is the bulwark OF the Ameri-
can republic, and with . view to its security
and permanence, We recommend an amend
ment 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.
Eighth-The revenue necessary for cur
rent expenditures, and the obligations OF
the public debt must be largely derived
from duties upon importation, which, 80
far "a possible, should be adjusted as to pro-
mote the interests Of American labor, and ad-
vance the prosperity of the whole country.
Ninth-We reafirm our opposition to
further grants Of the public lands to cor
porations and monopolies, and demand that
the national domain be devoted to tree
homes for the people.
Tenth-It is the imperative duty of the
government so to modify existing treaties
with European governments that the same
protection ehall be afforded to the adopted
American citizens that 10 given to the native
born, and all necessary laws be passed to
protect emigrants, in the absence OF power
in the States tor that purpose.
/ Eleventh-It ID the immediate duty OF
Congress to fully investigate the effect OF
the immigration and importation OF Mon
golians upon the moral and material inter
ests Of the country.
Twelfth-The Republican party rec0g'
rizes with approve, the substantial ad-
vance recently made toward the establish
ment 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 and election Of women to the
superintendence 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 extirpate in the Territories
that relic of barbarism, polygamy; and we
demand such legislation as will secure this
end, and the supremacy of American insti-
tutions 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's preservation IN the
kindest remembrance.
Fifteenth - We sincerely deprecate all
sectional feeling and tendencies. We there