Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1876-09-14
Republican Platform.

hepuQlICdn fldtIOFm.
| When. in the economy of Providence this
| land was to be purged of human slavery, and
when the strength of government of the peo-
| pie by the people and for the people was 10 be
demonstrated, the Republican party came in
| 10 power. Its deeds have passed into history,
| and We look back to them with pride. Incited
by their memories TO high aims for the good
the future with unfaltering courage, hope and
purpose, we, the representatives OF the party
| In National Convention assembled, make the
| following declaration OF principles:
| FiIst-The United States of America is a
Nation, not league, by the com bined work
ings OF the National and State governments
under their respective Institutions. The rights
OF every citizen are secured at home and pro-
| tected abroad, and the common welfare pro-
| NOTED.
Second-The Republican party has preserved
the governments TO the hundred b anniversary
OF the Nations birth. and they are now embo-
dlments OF the great truths spoken at Its
cradle, "that all meu are created equal; that
they are endowed by their creator with GER
tam tnalienable rights, among which are life
liberty and The pursuit OF happiness; that for
attainment of these ends governments have
been instituted among men, deriving their
Until these truths are cheerfuliy ooeyed, or,
II need be, vigously enforced, the work OF the
Republican party Is unfinished.
Thlrd-The permanent pacihcation OF the
southern section OF the Union. and the COM
pIete protection of all its ciLIzens in the free
enjoy ment Of all their rights and duties. TO
which the Republican party stands sacredly
pledged. The power to provide for the enforce
ment of the principle embodied IN the recent
constitutional amendments Is vested by those
amendments in the Congress OF the nited
States, and We declare il 10 be the solemn OBJ
legation OF the legislative and executive de-
partrnents of the goye meni 10 put into imme-
diaie and vigorous exercise all their constttG>
tlonal powers for removing any Just causes OF
dlscontent on the part OF any class. and for Sc
curing 10 every American citizen complete
liberty and exact equality in the exercise OF all
civil, political and public rights. To this end,
we imperatlvely demand a Congress and
Chief Executive, whose courage and fidelity to
these duties shall not falter until these results
aie paced beyond dispute or recall.
Fourtn-In the FIRST act Of Congress signed
oy President GRAFT. the National government
assumed TO remove any doubts OF its purpose
to discharge all just obligations to the public
creditors. and ''solemnly pledged its falth TO
make provisions at earliest practicable period
tor the redemption OF the United States notes
IN coin." commercial prosperity, public NOR
ais, and national credit demand that the
promise be fulfilled by a continuous and steady
progress 10 specie payment.
F1fJh-Under the Constitution, the President
and heads of departments are TO make nOmih-
alions Ior Office, the Senate is TO advise and
consent TO appointments. and the House of
Representatives is 10 accuse and prosecute
faithless officers. The best interest OF the
public service demands that these distinctions
be respected; that Senators and Representa-
tives who may be judges and accusers, should
not dictate appointments to office. The inya-
riaole rule in appointments should have re-
terence TO the honesty, fidelity aud capacity
of the appointees. giving TO the party in power
those places where harmony and vigor Of ad
ministration require its policy 10 be represent
ed, but permitting all others to be tiled by
persons selected with sole reference to the |
efficiency 10 the public service, and the right |
of AL citizens to share in the honor of render
ing faithful service to the country.
SIxth-We rejoice in the qulckened con- |
science of the people concerning political af. |
fairs, and will hold all public officers to u rigid
and engage that the prosecution |
and punishment of all who betray official |
trusts snail be swift, thorough and unsparing. |
Eanh a,las of fI.a
several States in The bulwark of the American |
Republic, and with view 10 It's security aud |
TO the Constitution OF the United States for
bidding the application of any public funds or
for the benefit of any school or in
under sectarian &C ntrol.
Eighth-The revenue necessary for lrrent
expenditures and the obligations ior the public
debt, must be largely derived from duties upon
I'M Portations which so far as posi- Bile should be
adjusted TO promote the interests of American
country.
NlnIu-We reaffirm our opposition to fur
Iher grants of the public lands to corporations
and monopolies, and demand that the Nation
II domain he devoted to the free uses of the
people.
Tenth-It is the imperative duty of the gov,
ernment so TO modify existing treaties with
European governments that the same Drotec-
lion shall be afforded to the adopted American
citizens that rs given 10 the native born, and
hat all necessity laws should be passed TO
protect emigrants, in the absence OF power in
he States Tor that purpose.
Eleventh-It is the Immediate duty of Con-
sress to FULLY investigate the effect OF the I'm
and Importation OF Mongolans
upon the moral and material interests of the
country.
TwelIth-Ihe Republican party recognizes
With approval the substantial advances re
:ently made toward the establishment OF
equai rights Tor woman by the many inpoi tant
I'M endments effected by Republican Legisla-
ures, in the laws which concern the person Il
md property relations of wives. mothers and
Widows, and by the appointment and election
SuDerintendAnCe educatlOn
charities, and other public trusts. The honest
demands OF this class OF citizens for additional
lights, privileges, and immunities should be
reated with respectful consideration.
Thirteenth-The Constitution coniers upon
congress sovereign power over the Territories
If the United states for their govern ment, and
n the exercise of this power it is the right
md duty of Congress to prohibit and extirpate
u the Territories that relic of barbariSm, poly
,amy; and We demand such legislation as
hall secure this end and the supremacy of
american institutions in all the Territories.
Fourteenth-The pledges which the Nation
lus given TO her soldiers and sailors must be
u,filled. and grateful people will always
lold those w"o imperilled their lives for the
'untry's preservation in the klndest remem-
france.
rl,leenth-we sincerely deprecate all sec.
ional feeling and tendencies. We, therefore, |
tote with deep sollcitude, that the Democra-
ic party counts, as its chief hope of success,
lpOn the electoral vote of q united South, se> |
ured through the efforts of those who were
ecept tly arrayed against the Nation, and we |
invoke the earnest attention of the country to
II grave truJn Jnat d success IhuS achieved
would reopen sectional strife and imperil Ma |
ional honor and human rights.
Sixteen--We charge the Democratic party ,
With being the same IN character and spirit as
yhen it sympathized with treason; with
making its control of the House of Represep- | ,
ives the triumph and opportunity of the Ma
ions recent foes; with reasserting and APP [
'lauding in the National Capitol the senti-
nents OF unrepentant rebellion; with sending
Union Soldiers to the rear, and promoting
soldiers to the front; with deiber-
tely proposing to repudiate the plighted faith [
the government; with being equally false
nd i'm beclle upon the eovershadowing financial
uestions; with thwarting the ends of justice
y its partisan mismanagement and obstruc-
ion of investigation; with proving itself.
through the period of its ascendency in the ,
,ower House in Congress, utterly Incompetent '
D administer the government, and we warn ,
he country against trusting party thus alike ,,
recreant and incapable.
Seventeenth-The National Administration
lerlts commendation for Its honorable work
4 the management of domestic and foreign 7
fairs and President Grant deserves the cons
nued hearty gratitude of the American peo- [
lie for his patriotism, and his eminent services g
war and in peace.
Surrinf S1nffrrE s