New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-04
PLATFORM OF THE NATIONAL RE-
PUBLICAN PARTY.


and when the strength Of the government
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. Incited 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
in national convention assembled, make the
following declaration OF principles:
Flrst-The United States of America ia
nation, not league. By the combined
workings of the national and State govern
ments, under their respective constitutions.
the rights of every citizen are secured AT
home and protected abroad, and the COLI
mon welfare promoted.
Second-The Republican party has pre-
served these governments to the hundreoth
anniversary of the nations birth, and they
are now enbodiinents 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 instl-
tuted among men, deriving their Just
powers from the consent Of the governed"
Until these truths are cheertuliy Obeyed,
and, if need be, vigorously enforced, the
work of the Republican party is unfinished
Thirj-The permanent pacihcatlon OF the
Southern section of the Union, and the com
plete protection of all its citizens in the free
enioymen of all their rights are duties to
which thu Republican party is sacredly
pledged. The power to provide tor the en-
forcement of the principle, embodied IN the
recent constitutional amendments IS vested
by those amendments in the Congress OF the
United States, and we declare 1t to be the
solemn obligation of the legislative and ex-
ecutive departments OF the government TO
put into immediate and vigorous exercise
all thei constitutional powers for removing
any just causes OF discontent on the part
Of any class, and securing 10 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 Congress and chief execu-
tive whose courage and fidelity to these du-
ties shall not fa!ter 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-
tions to the public creditors, and solemnly
pied ged its faith to make provision at the
earliest practicable period tor the redemp-
ton of the United States notes IN coin. Com
mercial prosperity, public morals and the
national credit demand that this promise oe
fulfilled by continuous and steady pro-
gress to specie payment.
Fifth-Cnder the constitution, the Presi-
dent and heads of departments are to make
nominations for office, the Senate IL to ad-
wise and consent to appointments, and the
House OF Representatives is to accuse and
prosecute faithless officers. The best 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
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 all citizens to share in the honor OF rem.
dering faithful service to their country.
Sixth-We rejoice in the quickened con-
science of the people concerning political at
fairs. We will hold all public officers to rigid
and engage that the prosecu-
ton and punishment Of all who betray
official trusts shall be speedy, thorough and
unsparlng.
Seventh-The 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
ment to the constitution of the United States, |
the application OF any pubic
funds or property for the benefit OF any
school or institution under sectarIan control.
Eighth-The revenue necessary Tor cur
rent expenditures, and the obligations OF
the public debt must be largely derived
from duties upon importation, which, so
far as possible, should be adjusted as to pro- |
mote the interests OF American labor, and ad-
vance the prosperity of the whole country. |
Ninth-We reatfirm our opposition to
further grants of the public lands to cor
porations and monopolies. and demand that
the national domain be devoted to tree |
homes for the people.
Tenth-It is the imperative duty OF the |
so to modify existing treaties |
with European governments that the same |
prote ction shall be afforded to the adopted |
American citizens that is given to the native
born, and all necessary laws be passed to |
protect emigrants, in the absence OF power |
in the States for that purpose.
Eleventh-It is the immediate duty OF |
Congress to fully investigate the effect OF |
gOlians upon the moral and material inter |
ests of the country.
Tweltth-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 the |
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 barbarian, polygamy; and we
demand such legislation as will secure this |
end, and the supremacy OF American lnstl- |
tutions in all the Territories.
Fourteenth-The pledges which the ma
ton has given to our soldiers and sailors
must be fulfilled. The grateful people will |
always hold those who periled their lives |
for their country's preservation IN the
kindest remembrance.
Fifteenth - We sincerely deprecate all |
sectional feeling and tendencies. We there |
fore note with deep sOlicitude that the |
Democratic party counts, as Its chief hope
of success, upon the electoral vote OF a |
united South, secured through the efforts |
of those who were recently arrayed against |
the nation, and we invoke the earnest at |
tention of the country to the grave truth |
that q success thus achieved would re-
open sectional strife and imperil national
honor and human rights.
Sixteenth-We charge the Democratic
party as being the same in character and
spirit Is when it sympathized with treason;
with making its control OF the House OF |
Representatives the triumph and the OPP |
portunity of the nations recent foes; with
reasserting and applauding in the national
Capitol the sentiments of unrepentant rebel |