New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-06
PLATFORM OF THE NATIONAL RE-
PUBLICAN PARTY.


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. melted by their memories
and with high aims for the good Of our coun
try and mankind, and looking to the future
with unfaltering courage, hope and pur,
pose, we, the representatives OF the party
Ia national convention assembled, make the
following declaration of principles:
F1rst-The United States of America is a
nation, not a league. By the combine ed
workings of the national and State govern
mants, under their respective constitutions,
tao rights of every citizen are secured at
home and protected abroad, and the com.
mon welfare promoted.
Sscond-The Republican party has pre-
served these governments to the hundred tn
Anniversary of the nations birth, and they
are now embodimenrs of the great truths
spoken at its cradle, "that all men are ere.
ated equal, that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain inalienable rights,
among which are life, liberty and the pur-
suit OF happiness: that for the attainment
OF these ends governments have been inst-
tuted among men, deriving their just
powers from the consent of the governed"
Until these truths are cheerfuily obeyed
ard, il need be, vigorously enforced, the
work of the Republican party is unfinished
Third-The permanent pacihcatlon OF the
Southern section of the Union, and the COM
pate protection of all its citizens in the free
eujog.nent of all their rights are duties to
which thu Republican party is sacredly
pledged. The power to provide for the en-
foreenent Of the principle, 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 ex-
ecu.ive departments of the government to
pu. into immediate and vigorous exercise
all their constitutional powers for removing
any lust causes OF discomfort on the part
of any class, and securing TO every Amer
lean citizen complete liberty and exact
equality in the exercise of all civil, political
and public rights. To this end we impera-
lively demand Congre and chief execu-
tive whose courage and fidelity to these du-
ties shall not falter until these results are
placed beyond dispute or recall.
Fourth-In the first act of Congress
signed by President Grant, the national
government assumed to remove any doubt
OF its purpose to discharge all just obliga
tons to the public creditors, and eolemnly
pledged its faith to make provision at the
earliest practicable period for the redemp-
ton Of the United States notes in coin. Com
mercial prosperity, public morals and the
national credit demand that this promise be
gress to specie payment.
Fifth-Under the constitution, the Presi-
dent and heads of departments are to make
nominations for office, the Senate is to ad-
wise and consent to appointments, and the
House of Representatives is to accuse and
prosecute faithless officers. The bes. inter
ests OF the public service demands that these
distinctions be respected, that Senators and
Representatives, who may be Judges and
accusers, should not dictate appointments
to office. The invariable rule for appoint
ments should have reference to the hon
esty fidelity and capacity of appointees,
giving to the party in power those places
where harmony and vigor of administra-
ton 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 ali citizens to share in the honor OF rem.
Gering faithful service to their country.
Slxth-We rejoice in the quickened con-
science of the people concerning political at
fairs. We will hold all public officers to rigid
respon sibilIty, and engage that the prosecu-
ton and punishment of all who betray
official trusts shall be speedy, thorough and
unsparlng.
Seventh-Tbe public school system OF the
several States is the bulwark of the Ameri-
can republic, and with view to its security
and permanence, we recommend an amend
Inent to the constitution of the United States,
torDldcing the application OF any pubic
funds or property for the benefit OF any
school or Institution under sectarian control.
Eighth-The revenue necessary for cur
rent expenditures, and the obligations OF
the public debt must be largely derived
from duties upon importation, which, SO
tar as possible, should be adjusted as to pro-
mote the interests of American labor, and ad-
vance the prosperity of the whole country.
Nlnth-We reatfrm our opposition to
further grants of the public lands to cor
pcrstions and monopolies, and demand that
the national domain be devoted to tree
homes for the people.
Tenth-It is the imperative duty OF the
government SO to modify existing treaties
with European governments that the same
protection shall be afforded to the adopted
American citizens that ie given to the native
born, and all necessary laws be passed to
protect emigrants, in the absence OF power
in the States tor that purpose: :
Eleventh-It is the immediate duty OF
Congress to fully investigate the effect OF
the immigration and importation OF Mon
golisns upon the moral and material inter
ssts Of the country.
Tweitth-The Republican party recog-
nizes with approva, the substantial ad-
vance recently made toward the establish
ment of equal rights for women, by the
many important amendments effected by
Republican Legislatures in the laws which
concern the personal and property relations
of wives, mothers and widows, and by the
appointment and election OF women TO tne
observation-disclosures of education, charities and
other public trusts. The honest demands 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 Terri
tories of the United States for their govern
ment. And in the exercise of this power,
it is the right and the duty of Congress to
prohibit and extirpate in the Territories
that relic of barbarism, polygamy; and we
demand such legislation as will secure this
end, and the supremacy of American insti-
t1tions in ali the Territories.
FoCrteenth-The pledges which the ma
ton has given to our soldiers and sailors
must be fulfilled. The gratetuls people VIII
always hold those who perl!ed their Hves
for their country's preservation IN the
kindest remembrance.
Fifteenth - We sincerely deprecat all
sectional feeling and tendencies. we there
fore note with deep solicitude that the
Democratic party counts, as Its chief nope
Of success, upon the electoral vote OF q
united South, secured through the eHorts
of those who were recently arrayed against
the nation, and we invoke the earnest at |
tention of the country to the grave truth |
that success thus achieved would re-
open sectional etrife and imperil national
honor and human rights.
Sixteenth-We charge the Dem ocratic |
party az being the same in character and
spirit as when it sympathized with treason; |
with making its control of tbs House OF |
Representatives the triumph and the OPP
portunity of the nations recent foes; with
reasserting and applauding in the national |