Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1876-09-21
Republican Platform.

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land was to be purged of human slavery. and
when the strength of government OF the peo-
pie by the people and for the people was TO oe
demonstrated, the Republican party came in
TO power. Its deeds have passed into history,
and We look back to them with pride. lncited
by their memories TO high aims for the good
Of our country and mankind, and looking to
the future with unfsltering courage, hope and
purpose, we, the representatives OF the party
following declaration OF principles:
Fiist-The United States Of America fs q
Nation, not league, by the combined WORK
ings OF the National and state government u
undtr their respective Institutions. The rights
of every citizen are secured at home and pro-
tected abroad, and the common welfare pro-
NOTED.
SecoDd-The Republican party has preserved
the government 10 the hundre anniversary
of the Nations birth, and they are now embo-
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 inalienable rights, among which are NE,
liberty and the pursuit OF happiness, that for
attainment Of these ends governments have
been instituted among men. deriving helr
just powers from the consent Of the governed
Until these truths are cheerfully Uoeyed, or,
II need be, vigopsly enforced. the work OF the
Republican party Is unfinished:
Third-The permanent pacincatlon OF the
Southern section of the Union. and the COM
pleie prot- ction of all its citizens In the Tree
enjoyment Of all their rights and dulles. TO
pledged. The power to provide for the enforce
ment of the principle embodied in the recent
Constitutional amendments is vested oy those
amendments in the Congress of the nited
States, and we declare II 10 be the solemn OBJ
legation of the legislative and executive de-
partments OF The government To- put Into imme-
diale and vigorous exercise all their constltu>
tional powers Tor removing any just causes OF
discomfort on the part oi any class. and for Sc
curing TO every American citizen complete
liberty and exact equality In the exercise of all
civil, political and puoIic rights. To this END,
We imperatively demand Congress and
Chief Executive, whose courage and fidelity to
these duties shall not taller until these results
are paced beyond dispute or recall.
FOurth-In the fret act Of Congress signed
by President GrRat the National government
assumed 10 remove any doubts oil its purpose
to discharge all just obligations TO the public
creditors. and -'solemnly pledged its falth TO
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 a continuous and steady
progress to specie payment.
Fiith-Unuer the Constitution, the President
and heads Of departments are 10 make nOmih-
aIions Tor Office, the Senate is to advise and
consent 10 appointments. and the House of
Representatives Is 10 accuse and prosecute
faiLhless officers. The best interest OF the
public service demands that these distinctions
be respected : tnat Senators and Representa-
lives who may be judges aud accuseIs, should
not dictate appointments to ONCE. The inva-
riabie rule In appointments should have re-
terence TO the honesty, fidelity and capacity
of the appointees. giving To the party In power
those places where harmony and vlgor Of ad-
minisIration require its policy TO be represent
ed, but permitting all others to be filled by
persons selected with sole reference to the
efficiency 10 the public service, and the right
of AL citizens to share in the honor OF render
Ing faithful service to the country.
SIxIh-We rejoice in the quickened 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 ali who betray official
Thorough
Seventh-The public school system OF the
several 81 ates In the buiwark of the American
permanence, We recommend An amendment
To the Constitution OF the United States for
bidding the application of any public funds or
property for the benefit of any school or ia
stitutions under sectarian c6 ntrol
Eighth-The revenue necessary for clrrent
Expenditures and the obligations Tor the public
mportations W which, so far as possible should be
adjusted 10 promote the interests of American
labor and advance the prosperit.r OF The whole
NinLn-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.
Tentn-It is the imperative duty of the gov>
SO 10 modify existing treaties with
European governments that the same rrotec-
tiOu shall be afforded to the adopted American
citizens that h 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-lt is the Immediate duty of Con-
yress to fully investigate he effect OF the i'm
migration and Importation OF MoDgolians
upon the moral and material interests OF The
TwelIth-Ihe Republican party recognizes
with approval the substantial advances re-
Gently made toward the establishment of
equal rights for woman by the many inpoI tant
effected by Republican Legisla-
lures in the laws which concern the personal
and property relations of wives. mothers and
Of women to the esuperintendance OF education.
and other public trusts. The honest
of this class Of citizens for additional
rights, privileges. and immunities should be
treated with respectful consideration.
Thirteenth-The Constitution confers upon
Congress sovereign power over the Terrltoi les
of the 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, 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 hor soldiers and sailors must be
fulfilled. and grateful people will always
hold those wDo imperilled their lives for the
preservation in the klndest remem-
brance.
FiLeenth- We sincerely deprecate all Sec
tional feeling and tendencies. 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 were
invoke the earnest attention of the country TO
tn grave truth that a 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
max ing Its control OF the House OF Represep-
tives the triumph and opportunity of the Ma
TONS recent foes; with reasserting and ap-
plauding in the National Capitol the senti-
nents Of unrepentant rebellion: with sending
Union Soldiers to the rear, and promoting
soldiers to the front; with deliber-
ately proposing to rtpudiate the plighted faith
Of the government; with being equally false
and imbec1le upon the eovershadowing financial
questions; with thwarting the ends Of justice
by its partisan mismanagement and oustruc-
lion Of Investigation; with proving itself.
through the period Of Its ascendency In the
Lower House in Congress, utterly incompetent
~ administer the government, and we warn
he country against trusting party thus alike
lnworthy, recreant and incapable.
Seventeenth-The National Administration
merits commendation for Its honorable work
n the management of domestic and foreign
Affairs, and President Grant deserves the con>
.inued hearty gratitude of the American peo-
pie for his patriotism, and his eminent services
n war and in peace.
Spffia1 alnfiffs.