The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-06-30
National Republican Platform

When. in the economy of Providence,
this land was to be purged by human
slavery; and when the strength of the
government of tie people, by the peo-
pie, for the people, was to be demon
strated, the Republican party came in
to power Its deeds have pa sed into
history, and we look back to them with
pride. ldcited by their numerous and
high aims for the good of our country
and mankind, and looking to the fu-
ture with unfaltering courage, hope
and purpose, Eve, the representatives
of the party, in National Convention
assembled, make the following Decla
ration of Principles:
Fist. The United States of America
is a Nation, not League, by the com
bined workings OF the National and
State governments Under their re
spective constitutions the rights of
every citizen are secured at home and
protected abroad, and the common
welfare promoted.
Second. The Republican party has
preserved those governments to the
hundredth anniversary of the nations
birth, and they are now embodiments
of the great truths spoken at its cradle;
that they are endowed by their "Crea-
tor with certain inalienable rights,
among which are life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness. That FOR the
attainment of these ends governments
have been instituted among men, de-
irving their just powers from the con-
sent of the governed" Until those
truths are cheerfully obeyed, or if need
ed TO be, vigorously enforced, the
work of the Republican party is unfin-
ished.
Third. The permanent paciiication
of the Southern section of the Union,
and the complete protection of its citi-
Zens in the free enjoyment of all their
rights, are duties to which the Repub-
lican party stands sacredly pledged
Applause. The power to provide for
the enforcement of the principles EN-
bodied in the recent Constitutional
amendments is vested by those amend
ments in the Congress of the United
States. and we declare it to be the sol
emn obligation of the legislative and
executive departments of the govern
erDment to put into immediate and
vigorous exercise all their Constitu-
tionitl powers for removing any Just
causes of discomfort on the part of any
class, and for securing to everyAmerican
citizen complete librty and exact equal
ity in the exercise of all civil, political
and public rights. Applause. To this
end we irnperatively demand a Congress
and a Chief Executive whose courage
and fidelity to these duties shall not
falter until these results are placed be
yond dispute and recall Applaus.
Fourth. In the first act of Congress
signed by President Grant, the national
government assumed to remove any
doubts of its purpose to disparage all
just obligation to public creditors and
solemnly pledged its taith to make
provision at the earliest practicable pc
riod Ior the redemption of United
States notes in coin. Cheers. Com
mercial prosperity, public morals and
national credit demand that this prom
Use be fulfilled by continuous and
steady progress TO specie payments
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
appointments, and the House of Rep
resentatives is to accuse and prosecute
faithless officers. The best interests of
the public service demand that these
distinctions be respected; that Sena-
tors and Representatives who may be
judges and accusers should not dictate
appointments to Office. The invaria-
BILE rule for appointments should have
reference to the honesty, fidelity and
capacity of the appointees, giving to
the party in power those places where
harmony and 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 all 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, and will hold all pub
lie officers to a rigid responsibility, and
engage that the prosecution and pun
'shment of all who betray official trusts
shall be speedy. thorough and unspar-
ing. Cheers.
Seventh The public school system
OF the several States is the bulwark of
the American Republic, and with a
view to its security and perrnanence
we recommended an amendment to
the Constitution of the United States
forbidding the application of any pub
lie funds or property for the benefit of
any schools or institutions under sec
tartan control
Great cheering, continued for sever
al minutes. In response to repeated
calls, General Hawley read the plank