Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1876-10-12
Republican Platform.

uCpuuliCdu IdttUT1l,
When, in the economy Of Providence, this
land was Ia be Purged OF human slavery and
when the strength of government of the peo-
pie oy the people and for the people was 10 be
demonstrated, the Republican party came in
70 power Its deeds have passed into history,
and We look back 10 them with rride Incited
Oy their memories to high aims for the good
oi our country and mankind, and looking to
the luture with unfalteriDg courage, hope and
purpose, we, the representatives of the party
IN National Convention assem- bled, make the
follow1ng declaration OF principles:
F1rst-The United States of America is a
NATION, not league. by the combined work
lngs OF the National and state governments
under their respective institutions. The rights
OF every citizen are secured at home and pro-
NOTED.
Second-The Republican party has preserved
the governments 10 the hundre anniversary
OF the Nations birth, and they are now em bo-
ulnents OF the great truths spoken at its
cradle, That all men are created equal; that
they are endowed by their creator with GER
tam lnalieDable rights. among which are life
lioerty ana The pursuit OF happiness; that for
attainment of these ends governments have
Peen instituted among men, deriving their
Iust powers irom the consent of the governed
OntD these truths are cheerfulIy UDeyed, or
II need be, vigously enforced, the work of the
republican party is unfinished.
Inru-Ihe permanent pacidcation of the
southern section of the Union. and the COM
plete protection of all its citizens in the free
enjoyment of all their rights and duties TO
wnich the Republican party stands sacredly
pleogeu Ihe power to provide for the enforce
Inent OF the principle emDodied In the recent
constitutional amendments Is vested by those
amendments in the Congress OF the 1 nited
states, and we declare IL 10 be the solemn Oh
Ilgatlon OF the legislative and executive de-
Parttnents OF the government TO put into imme-
ulaie and vigorous exercise all their constltU>
tional powers for removing any just causes OF
oiscontent on the part OF any class, and for Sc
curing 10 every American citizen complete
liberty and exact equality in the exercise of all
civil, political and public rights. To this end,
we lmperatively demand Congress and a
Chlef Executive, whose courage and fidelity to
these duties shall not falter until these results
are paced beyond dispute or recall.
Fourtn-In the first act of Congress signed
Dy resident Grant, the National government
assumed TO remove any douDIs oil It's purpose
10 discharge all just oblIgaIiUis 20 the public
creditors, and 'solemniy pledged its faltn to
make provisions at earliest pr practlcable period
for the redemption OF the United States notes
In coin.". Commercial prosperity, public NOR
ais, aud national credit demand that the
promise be fulfilled by a continuous and steady
progress to specie payment.
FlIth-Under the Constitution, the President
aiiu ano neads OF departments are to make nomlh,
atlons lor Office, the Senate is Ito advise and
consent to appointments. and the House of
Representatives Is 10 accuse and prosecute
faitbless officers. The best interest OF the
public service demands that these distinctions
he respected; that Senators and Representa-
t1ves VINO may be judges and accusers should
not dictate appointments to office. The inva-
riabie rule in appointments should have re-
terence TO the honesty, fidelity aud capacity
OF the appofntees. giving TO the party in power
those places where harmony and vigor Of ad-
m1nlstration require its policy to be represent
ed, but permitting all others to be tilled by
persons selected with sole reference to the
efficiency 10 the public service, and the right
OF all citizens to share in the honor of render
ing faithful service to the country.
SlXth-Ne 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
ana punishment of all VINO betray official
trusts shall be swift, thorough and unsparing.
Seventh-The public school system of the
several States in The bulwark Ofthe American
Republic, and with a view TO its security and
ptrmanence, 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 iR>
stitutions under sectarian co nIrol.
Eighth-The revenue necessary for lrrent
expenditures and the obligations Tor the public
debt, must be largely derived from duties upon
importations which, so far as posi- should be
adjusted 10 promote the interests of American
labor and advance the prosperity OF the whole
country.
Nintn-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.
Tenth-It is the imperative duty of the gov
ernment so 10 modify existing treaties with
European governments that the same Crotec'
tion shall be afforded TO the adopted American
citizens that b given to the native born, and
that all necessity laws should be passed 70
protect emigrants. in the absence OF power in
the States for that PURPOSE.
ElevenLh-It is the Immediate duty of Con-
gress to fully IN gestigate the effect of the i'm
migration and Importation OF Mongolians
upon the moral and material interests of the
country.
| Twelfth-The Republican party recognizes
with approval the substantial advances re-
Gently made toward the establishment Oi
equal rights for woman by the many inpoTt Ttant
am endments effected by Republican Legisla-
lures, in the laws which concern the person a
and property relations of wives. mothers and
flnTl
| OF women to the Su perintendance OF education
charities, and other public trusts. The honest
demands OF this class of citizens for additional
rights, privileges, and Immunlties should be
treated with respectful consideration.
rhrteenth-The Constitution confers 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 duty of Congress TO prohibit and extirpate
in the Territories that relic of barbarlsm, 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 her soldiers and sailors must be
fulfilled. and a grateful people will always
hold those wpo imper1lled their lives for the
country's preservation in the klndest remem-
brance.
Fiteenth-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 a united South, se>
cured through the efforts OF those who We're
recently arrayed against the Nation, and we
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
nth being the same In character and spirit as
when it sympathized with treason; with
making its control of the House of Represep-
tives the triumph and opportunity of The Ma
tion's recent Toes; with reasSerting and ap-
plauding in the National Capitol the senti-
ments of unrepentant rebellion; with sending
Union Soldiers to the rear, and promoting
Confederate soldiers to the front; with deliber-
ately proposing to re pudiate the plighted faith
of the government; with being equally false
and i'm beclle upon the eovershadowing financial
questions; with thwarting the ends of justice
| by its partisan mismanagement and oOstruc-
tion of investigation; with proving itself.
through the period of its ascendency in the
Lower House in Congress, utterly incompetent
to administer the government, and we warn
the country against trusting party thus alike
unworthy, recreant and incapable.
| Seventeenth-The National Administration
merits commendation for its honorable work
in tue management of domestic and foreign
| affairs. and President Grant deserves the COM
tinued hearty gratitude of the American peo-
pie for his patriotism, and his eminent services
lir,xx nd in