Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-06-22
TEE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM

'oiHililClec Oh IeSolutlouo3 loPollcus JIG
following platform:
F When in the economy of Providence
this land was to be purged 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 party came into power
Its deeds have passed into history, and
we look back to them with pride. In>
cited by their memories and high aims
for the good of our country and man-
kind, 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 league, by the cons
bined working of the National and
State governments under their respec-
tive constitutions :: the rights of every
citizen are secured at home and pros
tected abroad, and the common welfare
promoted.
Second. The republican party has
preserved those governments to the
hundredth anniversary of the nation S
birth, and they are now embodiments
of the great truths spoken at Its cradle,
that all men are created equal; that
they are endowed by their Creator with
certain inalienabe rights, among which
are lite,, liberty aad. the pursuit OF
happiness; that for the attainment OF
these ends governments have been in
stituted among men, deriving their
Just powers from the consent of the
governed; until these truths are cheers
fully obeyed, if needed to vigorously
enforced, the work of the republican
party is unfinished.
Third. The permanent pacification of
the Southern section of the Union, the
complete protection of all its citizens in
the free enjoyment of all their rights,
are duties to which the republican par
ty are sacredly pledged Applause. ]
The power to provide for the enforce>
ment OF the principles embodied in the
recent constitutional amendments is
vested by those amendments in the
Congress of the United States, and We
declare it to be the solemn obligation
of the legislative and executive departs
ments Of the government to put into
immediate and vigorous exercises all
their constitutional powers for remoxing
any inst causes of discomfort OF part of
any class, and securing every American
citizen complete liberty and exact
equality in the exercises of all civil,
political aud public nights Applause.
To this end we imperatively demand
Congress and chief executive whose
courage and fidelity to these duties
shall not talter until these results are
placed beyond dispute. or recall. Tap
plause.
Fourth. In the first act of Congress
signed by President Grant the national
government assumed to remove any
doubt of purpose to discharge all just
obligations to public creditors, and
solemnly pledged its faith to. make
provision at the earliest practicable
period for redemption of the United
States notes in coin. [Cheers.] Com
mercial prosperity, public merits and
national credit demand that this proraise
be fulfilled by continuous and steady
progress to specie payment. Loud and
long continued applause and cheers.
Fifth. Under the constitution the
President and heads of departments
are to make nominations for office, the
Senate is to advise and consent to the
appointments, and the House of Rep
resentatives is to accuse and prosecute
faithless officers. The best interests of
the public service demand that this
distinctness be respected that Senators
and Repre- sentatives, who may be
judges and accusers, should not dictate
appointments to office. The invariable
rule for appointment should have refer-
ence to the honesty, fidelity and capacity
of appointees, giving to the party in
power those places where harmony and
vigor Of administrator require its
policy to be represented, but permitting
all others to be filled by persons selected
with sole reference to efficiency of
public service, and the right of citizens
to share in the honor Of rendering
faithful service to their country.
Sixth We rejoice in the quickened
conscience of the people concerning
political affairs that will hold all public
officers to a rigid responsibility, and
engage that the prosecution and pun.
of all who betray official trusts
shall be speedy, through and unsparing.
Cheers.
Seventh. The public school system
of the several States is the bulwark of
the American republic, and with view
to its security and permanence we
recommend an amendment TO the con-
stitution of the United States forbidding
the application of any public funds or
property for the benefit of any schools
or institution under sectarian control.
[Great cheering continued several min
utes In response to repeated calls
Gen. Hawley read the plank second
time and the delegates and audience
repea ted cheers.
Eighth. The revenue necessary for
current expenditures and the obligations
of the public debt must be largely
derived from duties upon importations,
which, so far as possible, should be
adjusted to promote the interest of
American labor and advance the pros
perity Of the whole country. lCheers. ]
Ninth We reaffirm our opposition to
fnrthor grants nf tho nnhlic lands to