New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-06-25
PLATFORM OF THE NATIONAL RE
PUBLICAN PARTY.

PLATFORM OF THE NATIONAL RE
PUBLICAN PARTY.
Adopted In Convention ut Cincinnati,
Ohio. June Is, 1876.
When in the economy of Providence this
land was to be purged Of human slavery,
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 high aims for the good Of our country
with urfaltering 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 is q
nation, not q 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 COM
mon welfare promoted.
Second-The Republican party has pre-
served those governments to the hundredth
anniversary Of the nations birth, and they
are now embodiments OF the great truths
spoken at lis cradle "that all men are Gre
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 insti-
tuted among men, deriving their just
powers from the consent of the governed"
Until these truths are cheerfully adopted,
or, if needed to he, vigorously enforced
the work Of the Republican party is IN
finished.
Third-The permanent pacifoation of the
Southern section of the Union, and the com
plete protection of all it's citizens in the free
enjoyment of al their rights are duties to
which thu Republican party stands sacred!y
pledged. The power to provide for 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 it to be the
solemn obligation of the legislative and ex-
ecutive departments Of the government to
put into immediate and vigorous exercise
all their constitutional powers for removing
any just causes of discomfort on the part OF
any class, and tor 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 q Congress and chief execu-
tive v hose 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 doubts
Of it's purpose to discharge all just Obliga.
tions to the public creditors, and eolemnly
pledged 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 M
tionsl credit demand that this promise be
fulfilled by a continuous and steady pro-
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 sd
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 demsnd 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 honesty.
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 filed by
persons selected with sole reference to the
efficiency, public service and the right OF
all citizens to share in the honor of render.
ing faithful service to their country.
Sixth-We rejoice in the quickened con-
science of the people concerning political
responsibility and engage that the prosecu-
ton and punishment of all who betray
official trusts shall be speedy, thorough and
Unsparing.
Ssventh-The public school system of the
several States is the bulwark OF the Ameri-
can republic. And with view to it's secu
rity and permanence, we recommend an
amendment to the constitution of the
United States. forbidding the application of
any public funds or property for the benefit
of any schools or institutions under sects-
rian control.
Eighth-The revenue necessary for cur
rent expenditures. and the obligations Of
the public debt must be largely derived
from duties upon impOrtatiOna which. go
far as possible, should be adjusted to pro-
mote the interest Of American labor, and
advance the prosperity of the whole couI-
try.
Einth-W-e reatfrm our opposition to
further grants of the public lands to cor
pofations and monopolies, and demand that
the national domain be devoted TO free
homes for the people.
Trnth-It is the imperative rule OF the
government SO to modify existing treaties
with European governments that the same
prote ction shall be afforded to the adopted
American citizen that is given to the native
born; and all necessary laws should be
passed to protect immigrants, in the alb.
eence of power in the States tor that pur-
pose.
Eleventh-It is the immediate duty of
Congress to fully investigate the effec. OF
the immigration and importation OF Mon
golians upon the moral and material inter
ests of the country.
Tweltth-The Republican party recog-
nizes, with approval, 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 BY the ap-
pointment and election of women to the
superintendency of education, charities and
other public trusts. The honest demands
of this class of citizens for additional
rights and privileges and immunities
should bs treated with respectful cOnsidera-
ton.
Thirteenth-The constitution confers
upon Congress sovereign power over the
Territories of the United States for their
government. 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 bar barism, p0lygamy. And we
demand such legislation as shall secure this
end, and the supremacy of American insti-
buttons in all the Territories.
Fourteenth-The pledges which the ma
ton has given to our soldiers and sailors
r. IL - E,rh L.