Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-10-18
Republican National Platform.

When in the economy OF providence this land
was 10 be purged Of human slavery, and when
the strength ofthe Government of the people, by
the people for the people, was TO be demonstra-
ted, the Republican party came into power. Its
deeds have passed into history, and we look
back TO them with pride melted by their memo
ries. and high aims for the good OF our country
and mankind, and, looking othe future with
unfaltering courage, hope, and purpose, we the
representative of the party in National Conven-
tion assembled, make the following declaration
of principles:
not league. BY the combined workings Of the
National and State Governments under their re-
spectve Constitutions the rights Of every citizen
are secured at home and protected abroad and
the common welfare promoted.
2. The Republican party has preserved those
Governments to their hundredth anniversary of
the nations birth, and they are now elnbodi-
ments of the great truths spoken ct its cradle,
that call men are created equal that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain inalien-
able rights, among which are life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness; that for the attainment Of
these ends, Governments have been instituted
among men, deriving their just powers from the
cheerfully obeynd or If need be vigorously en-
forced the work Of the Republican party Is un-
finished.
section OF the Union, and the complete protec.
tion of its citizens In the free enjoyment Of oil
their rights, are duties to which the Republican
party stands sacredly pledged Tie power TO
provide for the enforcement of the principles
embodied in the recent constitutional Amend
inents IL vested by those amendments IN the
Congress of the United States: and we declare IL
70 be the solemn obligation Of the Legislative aud
Executive Departments to. put into immediate
and vigorous exercise all their constitutional
powers for removing any just causes Of disrOn-
tent on the part Of any class. and for securing 10
every American citizen complete liberty and
exact equality In the exercises OF all civil, polit
cal and public rights. To this end we impara-
lively demand Congress and Chief Executive
whose courage snl fidelity to these duties shall
not falter until these results are placed beyond
4 In the first act of Congress signed by Presi-
dent Grant the National Government assumed TO
remove any doubts Of lis duties TO discharge all
Just obligations 10 public creditors. and solemn
ly pledged its faith 10 make provisions at the
earliest practicable period for the redemption of
United States notes In coin. Commercial pros
t,erity public morals and the national credit
demand this promise be fulfilled by n continuous
and steady progress to specie payments.
s. Under the Constitution tie President and
heads of departments are to make nominations
for ofice the Senate Ia to advise and 70 consent
to appointments, and the House of Representa-
tiyes Is to accuse and prosecute faithless officers
The best interests OF the public service demand
that these distinctions be respected that Senators
and Representatives, who may be judges and
accusers, should not dictate Appointments TO
should have reference to the honesty fidelity
and capacity of the appointee, giving 10 the par
~ inpower those places where harmony and
yigor Of administration requires its policy 10 De
represented but permitting all Others to be filed
by persons selected with the sole reference to the
efficiency OF the public service, and the right Of
all citizens TO share In the honor OF rendering
faithful service 10 their country
g. We rejoice In the quickened conscience Of
the people concerning pol1ical sfsirs. and will
hold aI( officers 10 rigid responsibility. and en-.
csge that the prosecution and punishment Of all
WHO bctray the Official trust shall be speedy
'n9fTl The public School system OF the several
states il the bulwark OF the American Republic,
and with q view 10 its security and permsnence
we recommend an amendment TO the Consttu-
.f sha Tfpitad States fOff,fddfuo
priation Of any public funds or property for the
benefit of any schools or institutions under secta
rian control
s. The revenue necessary for current expendi.
lures and the obligations Of the public debt must
be largely derived from duties on imponations
which so far as possible, should be adjusted 70
promote the interests Of American labor and al.
| vance the prosperity Of the whole country
.. We reafiirm our opposition TO further grants
| lies, and demand that the national domain be de
| voted to free homes for the people.
10. II Is the imperative duty Of the Government
20 to modify existing treaties with European gov
ernments that the same protection shall be AZ
/ forded TO the adopted American citizen that 4
given 10 Che native born, and that all necessary
| laws should be passed 10 protect immigrants II
the absence OF power In the States for that pur
ii. II is the immediate duty Of Congress /.
| fully investigate the effect Of the immigration
| and importation OF Mcngolians upon the mora
| and material interests OF the country
| i2. The Republican party recognizes with ap
| proyal the Substantial advance recently made %
/ ward the establishment Of equal rights for womel
/ by she many important amendments effected b.
Republican legislatures In the laws which con
ceTn the personal and property relations 0
| wiz ps mothers and widows, and by the appoint
| ment and election OF women 10 the supcrinte1d
| enee Of education, charities, and other publ
| trusts The honest demands OF this class Of cit
zens 70. additional rights and privileges aud in
munities should be treated with respectful cor
sideratiou.
l3. The CONSTITUTION confers upon Congrei
sovereign power over the Territories OF the Unite
stafef Y their government, and I'm the exercis
Of this i.3wer il Is the right and the duty of Con
gress TO prohibit and extiypate In the TeiTitorii
thstrclfe OF bsrbxrisnl pclysaIay and NC dsrnar