The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-07-14
National Republican Platform.

tli- land was to be pnrged by human
slavery; and when the strength of the
government of the 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. Incited 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, we, the representatives
of the party, in National Convention
assembled, make the following Decla-
ration of Principles:
Fist. The United States of America
il a Nation, not a League. by the COM
bined workings of the National AMI
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 government 10 the
hundredth anniversary of the nations
birth, and they are now embodiments
Of the great truths spoken AT IFS cradle;
that they are endowed 10y their "Crea-
tor with certain inalienable rights,
among which are life, liberty ard 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 pacification
of the Southern section of the Union,
and the complete protection of IFS 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
ernment to put into immediate and
vigorous exercise all their Constitu-
tional 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 imperatiyely demand aCongress
and 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 faith TO make
provision at the earliest practicable pc
riOd lor 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 n 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
to office. The invaria-
ble 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 filed
by persons selected with sole reference
10 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
ishment 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
view to its security and permanence
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
the second time, and the delegates and
audience repeated their cheers.
Eighth. The revenue necessary for
current expenditures and the obiiga-
tions of the public debt must be large
Iy derived from duties on importa-
tions, which. SO far as possible, should
be adjusted Ia promote the interest OF
American labor and advance the pros
perity of the whole country. Cheers.
Ninth. We reaflirm our opposition
to further grants of the public lands to
corporations and mOnopolies, and de-
mand that the national domain be de-
voted to free homes for the people.
Tenth. Ii is the imperative duty of
the government so TO modify existing
treaties with European governments
that the same protection shall be
afforded 20 the adopted American
citizen that is given TO the native
bern, and that all necessary laws should
he passed to protect immigrants in the
absence OF power in the State for that
purpose.
Eleventh. 1t is the immediate duty
of Congress TO fully investigate the Ell
fectS of the immigration and importa-
ton of Mongolian upon the moral and
material interests of the country. APP
plause.
Twelfth. The republican party rec
ognizes with approval the substantial
advance recently made toward the es-
tablishment 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 the wives,
mothers and widows. and by the ap-
pointment and election of women to
the superintendent of education,
charities and other public trusts The
honest demands of this class of citizens
for additional rights and privileges and
imnunities should be treated with re-
spectful consideration. Applause.
Thirteenth The Constitution con-
fers upon Congress sovereign power
over the Territories of the United
States for their government, 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