Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1876-08-03
Republican Platform.

When, in the economy of Providence, thil
land was TO be purged of human slavery, anC
when the strength of government of the peo
pie by the people and for the people was TO be
demonstrated, the Republican party came}n-
to 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
OF our country and mankind, and looking to
the future with unfaltering courage, hope and
purpose. we, the representatives Of the party
in National Convention assembled, make the
following declaration OF principles:
First-The United States of America Is .
Nation, not a league, by the combined 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-
moled.
Second-The Republican party has preserved
the governments 10 the hundreih anniversary
of the Nations birth. and they are now EN- bo-
diments of the great truths spoken at Its
cradle, that all meu are created equal; tnat
they are endowed by their creator with GER
liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that for
attainment of these ends governments have
been instituted among men, deriving their !,
Until these truths are cheerfully ooeyed, or,
If need be, vigously enforced, the work OF the
Republican party is unfinished.
Third-The permanent pacidcation of the
Southern section of the Union, and the com.
plete protection of all its citizens in the free
enjoyment 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 it 10 be the solemn OBJ
legation of the legislative and executive de-
partments OF the government to put into imme-
diate and vigorous exercise all their constltu>
tional powers for removing any just causes OF
m on the part Gt any Glass ana n Ior
liberty and exact equality in the exercise OF ali
civil, political and public rights. To this end.
we imperatively demand a Congress and q
Executive. whose
these duties shall not falter until these results
are placed beyond dispute or recall.
Fourth-1n the first act of Congress signed
by President Grant, the National government
assumed TO remove any doubts oil Its purpose
to discharge all just obligations TO the public
creditors. and 'solemnly pledged its faith TO
make provisions at earliest practicable period
for Ahe 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 to specie payment.
FiIIh-Under the Constitution, the President
and heads OF departments are TO make nomin-
at1ons for office, the Senate Is to advise and
consent to appointments, and The House of
Representatives is TO accuse and prosecute
faiLhless officers. The best interest OF the
public service demands that these distinctions
be respected; that Senators and Representa-
t1ves who may be judges and -accuSerS, should
not dictate appointments to office. The inva-
riable rule in appointments should have re-
ference TO the honesty, fidelity and capacity
of the appointees. giving to the party in power
those places where harmony and vigor OF ad-
ministration require its policy TO be represent
ed, but permitting all others to be tlled by
persons selected with sole reference to the
efficiency to the public service, and the right
of all citizens to share in the honor OF render
ing faithful service to the country.
SlXth-We rejoice in the qulckened con-
science of the people concerning political af-
fairs, and will hold all public officers to rigid
responsibility. and engage that the prosecution
and punishment of all who betray official
trusts shall be swift, thorough and unsparing.
Seventh-The public school system of the
SQu aral of in 1ypar nf ha mn inaI
Republic, and with a view 10 its security and
permanence, we recommend an amendment
bidding the application of any public funds or
property for the benefit of any school or in>
situations under sectarian control.
Eighth-The revenue necessary for 1rrent
expenditures and the obligations for the public
debt, must be largely derived from duties upon
importations which so far as possible, should be
adjusted 10 promote the interests of American
labor and advance the prosperity OF the whole
country.
Ninth-We reafirm our opposition to fur
ther grants OF the public lands to corporations
and monopolies, and demand that the Nation
al domain be devoted to- the free uses of the
people.
Tenth-It is the imperative duty of the gov>
ernment SO 10 modify existing treaties with
European governments that the me rrotec-
citizens that Is given TO the native born, and
that all necessity laws should be passed TO
protect emigrants. in the absence OF power in
the states for that purpose
Eleventh-It is the Immediate duty of Con-
gress TO FULLY investigate the effect of the I'm.
migration and importation OF Mongolisns
upon the moral and material interests of the
country.
Twelfth-Ihe Republican party recognizes
with approval the substantial advances re-
Gently made toward the establishment of
equal rights for woman by the many inpor tant
amendments effected by Republican Legisla-
lures, in the laws which concern the personal
and property relations of wives, mothers and
and by the appointment and election
OF women to the superintendance of education.
los md fhlr Iio ho hnn
OF this class of citizens for additional
rights, privileges, and lmmunities should be
treated with respectful consideration.
Thirteenth-The Constitution confers 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 exiirpate
in the Territories that relic of barbarism, poly
gamy; and We demand such legislation as
shall secure this end and the supremacy of
American institutions in all the Territories.
Fourteenth-The pledges which the Nation
has given to her soldiers and sailors must be |
hold those wno imperilled their lives for the !
preservation in the klndest remem- |
brance.
tional feeling and teudancies. We, therefore, |
note with deep sollcitude, that the DemOcra. |
tic party counts. as its chief hope OF success,
upon the electoral vote of q united South, se>
cured through the efforts of those who We're |
recep tly arrayed against the Nation, and We
invoke the earnest atteDt tion of the country to |
would reopen sectional strife and imperil Ma
tfonal honor and human rights.
Sixteen-We charge the Democratic party
with being the same in character and spirit as
when it sympathized with treason; with
making its control of the House of Represep-
ives the triumph and opportunity of the Ma.
ions recent Toes; with reasserting and ap-
in the National Capitol the senti.
nenJs of unrepentant rebellion; with sending
Union Soldiers to the rear, and promoting
soldiers to the front; with deliber-
stely proposing to repudiate the plighted faith
If the government; with being equally false
Ind imbecl upon the eovershad0wing financial
questions; 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
lower House IN Congress, utterly incompetent
o administer the government, and we warn
he country against trusting party thus alike
recreant and incapable.
Seventeenth-The National Administration
merits commendation for Its honorable work
n the management of domestic and foreign
lffairs, and President Grant deserves the cons
inued hearty gratitude of the American peO-
lie for his patriotism, and his eminent services