Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1876-10-26
Republican Platform.

When, in the economy of Providence, this
land was Ia 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
to power. Its deeds have passed into history,
and We look back TO them with Eride. lncited
10y their meTories 10 high aiuis 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 a
Nation, not a league, by the combined work
ings of the National and state governments
und, r their respective Institutions. The rights
Of every citizen are secured at home and pros
tected abroad, and The common welfare pro-
moled.
Second-The Republican party has preserved
the governments 10 the hundrei b anniversary
OF the Natiou's birth, and they are now eInbo-
diments of the great truths spoken at It's
cradle, that all men are created equal; that
they are endowed by their creator with GER
tam inalieDable rights. among which are llfe
liberty and The pursuit CT happiness; that for
attainment of these ends governments have
been institute ed among men. deriving their
just powers from the consent of the governed
Until these truths are cheeriully ODey ed, or,
il need be, vigously enforced, the work OF the
Republican party is unfinished:
1nird-Ihe permanent pacidcation OF the
Southern section of the Union. anu the COM
plete protection of all its citizens In the Tree
enjoyment of all their rights and duties. 10
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 nlted
States, and We declare IL . be the solemn oo-
llgation OF the legislative and executive ue-
partments OF the government 10 put into lmlne-
diate and vigorous exercise all their constllG>
tlonal powers for removing any Just causes OF
discomfort on the part OF any class, and for Sc
curing TO every American citizen complete
liberty and exact equality in the exercise of all
civil, political and puOllc rights. To THIS END,
We imperatively demand Congress and a
Chief Executive, whose courage and ndei1iy 10
these duties shall not faiIer until these results
ale paced teyond dispute or recall
--sh-1n the first act Of Congress signed
by President Grant, the National government
assumed tc remove any doubts oil Its purpose
to discharge ali just obligations TO the pubic
creditors. and -'solemnly pledged It's ialtn 10
make provisions at earliest practicable period
for The redemption OF the United states notes
in coin." Commercial prosperity. public NOR
ais, and national credit demand that the
promise be fulfilled by continuous and steady
progress TO specie payment.
FIiJh-Under the Constitution, the President
and heads OF departments are to make nomlh-
4Iions lor office, the senate is TO advise and
consent 10 appointments. and the House OF
Representatives Is 10 accuse and prosecute
faithless officers. The best interest OF the
public service demands that these distinctions
he respected; tnat Senators aud representa-
tives who may be judges and accusers, should
not dictate appointments To office. The 1nya-
tlaole rule III appointments should have re-
terence TO The honesty, fidelity aud capacity
of sie appointees. giving To the party i'll power
those pl., es where harmony and vlgor Of ad-
ministration require ills policy to be represent
ed, but permitting all others TO he nlled ny
persons selected with sole reierence 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.
SIXth-Me rejoice in the Qulckened con-
science of the people concerning political al.
fairs, and will hold all public officers TO rigid
responsibility. and engage that the prosecution
anu punishment of ali who beIray official
trusts snail be swift thorough and unsparing.
Seventh-The public school system of the
Republic, and with view 10 it's security aud
permanence, We recommend an amendment
To the Consultation OF the United States for
bidding the appl1catlon OF any public funds or
property for the benefit OF any school or in>
st1tutions under sectarian &C nLrol.
Elghth-Ihe revenue necessary for clrreut
expenditures and the obligations ior the public
debt, must be largely Gerivea from duties upon
lmportatlons which so Tar as poss bic, should be
adjusted 10 promote the interests OF American
labor and advance the prosperit.r oil the whole
country.
Nintn-we reaffirm 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,
TenLh-It is the imperative duty OF the gov>
ernment 30 To modify existing treaties with
European governments that the same Trotec-
tiou shall be afforded to the adopted American
citizens that b given 10 the native born, and
that all necessity laws should be passed 70
protect emigranis. in the absence OF power in
the States Tor that purpose.
. Eleventh-it is the immediate duty of Con-
gress TO FULLY Investigate he effect OF the I'm :
migration and Importation OF Mongolians
upon the moral and material interests of the
country.
Twelfth-1he Republican party recognizes
with approval the substantial advances re-
Gently made toward the establishment of
equal rights for woman by the many inpoIta
amendments effected by Republican Legsla-
lures, 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 superint enhance of education
| ch ltl herr n trnSt honest
demands OF this class of citizens for additional
| rights, privileges, and 1mmunities should be
treated with respectful consideration.
Thirteenth-The Constitution confers upon
Congress sovereign power over the Territories
OF Ihs United States for their government, and
in the exercise OF this power 1T is the right
and duty of Congress to prohibit and extirpate
in the Territories that relic of barbarism, pO y
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
| fulfilled, and grateful people will always
hold those wDo imperilled their lives for the
country's preservation in the kindest rernem-
brance.
] FuIeenth- We sincerely deprecate all Sec
| tional feeling and Lendancies. We, therefore,
note with deep sOllcitude, that The Democra.
\ tic party counts its chief hope OF success,
upon the electoral vote of a united South, se>
| cured through the efforts of those who Were
recently arrayed against the Nation, and we
| invoke the earnest atteD tion OF the country 10
tn grave truth that success thus achieved
would reopen sectional strife and imperil Ma
tional 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-
tives the triumph and opportunity of the Ma
| Lion's recent foes; with reasserting and ap-
| plauding in the National Capitol the senti-
| ments of unrepentant rebellion; with sending
| Union Soldiers to the rear, and promoting
Confederate soldiers to the front; with deliber-
| ately proposing to repudiate the plighted faith
| of the government; with being equally false
| and i'm beclle upon the overshadowing financial
| questions; with thwarting the ends of justice
| by its partisan mismansgement and obstruc-
| tion of investigation; with proving itself,
| through the period of its ascendency in the
Lower House in Congress, utterly incompetent
| to administer the government, and we warn
( the country against trusting party thus alike
| unworthy, recreant and incapable.
| Seventeenth-The National Admin lstr; tion
| merits cominendation for its honorable WORK
| in the management of domestic and foreign
| affairs and President Grant deserves the con-
| tinued hearty gratitude of the American peo
| Pile for his patriotism, and his eminent services
| in war and in peace.