Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-06-23
The Republican Platform.

party came into power. Its deeds have
passed into history, and we look back TO them
with pride. lncited by their memories and
high aims for the good Of our country aud
mankind, and looking 10 tho future with un-
faltering courage, hope and purpose, we, the
representatives Of the party in national con.
vention assembled, make the following
declaration Of principles -
FIRST, The United States Of America is a
nation, not a league. BY the combined
workings Of the national end state govern.
ments, under their respective constitutions,
the rights Of every citizen are secured at
home and protected abroad, aud the common
welfare promoted.
Second, The republican party has pre-
served those governments TO the hundredth
anniversary OF the nations birth, and they are
now embodiments Of the great truths spoken
at the cradle, that "all men are created
equal, that they are endowed by their Crea.
tor with certain naienable rights, among
which are life, liberty aud the pursuit of hap
piness that, for the attainment Of these
ends, governments have been instituted
among men, deriving their just powers from
the consent of the governed" Until those
truths are cheerfully obeycd, If needed too,
vigorously enforced, the work Of the repub.
lican party is unfinished.
Third, The permanent pacifcation Of the
southern section Of the Union, the complete
protection Of all its citizeus in the free Gu
joymcut Of all their rights, ares duties to
which the republican party are sacredly
pledged. (Applauso,) The power to pro.
vide for the enforcement Of the principles
embodied in the recent constitutional amend
nents in the congress Of the United States,
and we declare it to be the solemn oblga-
ton of the legislative aud executive depart
ments of tho government to put into imme-
date and vigorous exercise all their consti-
tutiona powers for removing any just causes
Of discomfort on the part oil any class and
securing every American citizen complete
liberty aud exact equality 10 the exercise Of
all civil, political and public rights. Zap
plause) To this end we imperatively de-
mand a congress and chief executive whose
courage and fidelity " these duties shall not
falter until these results are placed beyond
dispute or recall. tArplauss.)
Fourth, In the first act Of congress signed
by President Grant the national govern
ment assumed to remove any doubts as to
its purpose to discharge all just obligations
to the public creditors, AMI solemnly pledged
ITS faith to make provision at the earliest
practicable period for the redemption Of the
United States notes in coin. lChcers.) Com
mercial prosperity, public morals and ma :
tional credit demand that this promise be
fulfilled by continuous and steady progress
to specie payment. loud and long. contin-
ued applause)
Fifth. Under the constitution the president
and heads of departments are to make nomina.
tions for Office. The senate is to advise and
consent to appointments, and the house OF
representatives is to accuse and prosecute
faithless Officers. The best interests of the
public service demand that the distinctions
be respected, that senators and representa-
tives, who may be judges aud accusers,
should not dictate appointments to office.
The invariable rule for appointments
should have reference to the honesty, fidel-
ity and capacity of the appointces, giving to
the party in power those places where har-
mouy aud vigor OF administration require
its 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 citizens to
share in the honor Of rendering faithful SER
vice to their country.
Sixth, We rejoice in the quickened con-
science Of the people concerning political
affairs, will hold all public officers to a
rigid responsibility, and engage that the
prosecution and punishment OF all who be-
tray official trusts shall be speedy, thorough
and unsparing. (Cheers)
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
schools or institutions under sectarian con-
troll. Great cheering, continued several
minutes. In response to repeated calls, Gen
Hawley read the plank second time, and
the delegates and audience repeated their
cheers.)
Eighth, The revenue necessary for cur
rent expenditures and the obligations of the
public debt must DO largely derived from
duties upon importations, which, so far as
possible, should be adjusted to promote the
interest Of American labor and advance the
prosperity OF the whole country. Cheers J
Ninth, We reaffirm our opposition to fur
Their grants of the public lands to corpora
tions and monopolies, and demand that the
national domain be devoted to free homes
for the people.
Tenth, 1t is the imperative duty Of the
government to modify existing treaties with
European governments so that the same
protection shall be afforded to adopted Amer
lean citizens that is given to native born,
and oil necessary laws be passed to protect
emigrants, in the absence of power in the
state for that purpose.
Eleventh, II is the immediate duty OF
congress to fully investigate the effects OF
the emigration aud importation of Mongo-
lians on the moral aud material interests of
the country. (Applause.l
Twelfth, The republican party recognizes
with approval the substantial advance re-
Gently made toward the establishment Of
equal rights for women, by the many impor-
tAnt amendments effected by republican leg
islatures in the laws which concern the per-
sonal aud property relations of wives, moth.
ers and widows, and by the appointment and
election of women to the superintendent OF
education, charities and other public trusts
The honest demands Of this class Of citizens
for additional rights and privileges and im-
munitIes should be treated with respectful
consideration. (Applause)
Thirteenth, The constitution cOnfors upon
congress sovereign power over the territories
of the United States for their government,
and in the exercise Of this power it is the
right and duty of congress to prohibit and
extirpate in the territories that relic of bar.
barism, polygamy; and we demand such
legislation as shall secure this end, aud the
supremacy of American institutions in all
the territories. (Applause.)