The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1879-11-01
The Republican Platform.

The Republican Platform.
Adopted In State Convention 1T New Or
leans, October 81, 1879.
The Republican party of Louisiana
presents these fundamental principles of
policy, to which it pledges its support,
and u due consideration whereof it asks
from the people of Louisiana.
First-We hold that our government is
national in its character, composed of
| States free in their sphere but snbort(i-
| nate to the national government, and
| united by indissolubles bonds Of union.
Secondly hold that it is the privi-
eminent to extend its protecting arm 80
as to guarantee u free republican form of
! government to each State.
Third-We hold that no government
of the people, by the people and for the
people can exist when the ballot is not
free, nor when the will of the people ex-
pressed by the ballot is changed by a
fraudulent and corrupt return.
FOurth--We hold It to be the right
and duty Of the national government to
protect the labor and industry of its citi-
Zens from competition with the pro-
ducts Of the pauper, forced and slave
labor of foreign nations.
Fifth-We hold that it is the right and
duty Of the national government to i'm
prove the rivers and harlors of our ma
ton, and especially Of that great inland
sea, the Mississippi and its tributaries.
Sixth-We hold that it is the right
and duty Of our national governments. to
provide for Il Southern transit to our
Pacific coast, and generally to assist il,
the construction of such main lines of
transit through the nation as will enable
the producer to procure q market for his
surplus products, and render more free
and more frequent the inter communica-
ton Of the citizens Of the republic.
Seventh-We hold that the national
government should at once take the nee
essary steps to strike from all OF our
treaties the clauses therein which place
one and all upon the basis OF the most
favored.
Eighth-,We hold that it is the right
and duty Of the national government to
encourage forei gu commerce in our own
bottoms by u judicious system of appro-
priations and subsidies.
Ninth-We hold that it is the bonuden
right and imperative duty of the nation
al government to secure by all means the
| construction of canal or other system
of transportation across tho Isthmus Of
Darien and to insist with all of its power
that no non-American nations shall
have u predominating influence in the
management thereof.
Tenth-We hold that the honor of oar
State and the honor or it's citizens, as
we'll as their national interests, are
pledged to an attempt i'll good faith to
pay the State debt represented by the
| consolidated bonds issued under the
constitutional amendments approved
and ratified by the people i'll 1874, and
we further hold that, in our opinion,
that ordinance constitutes a valid con-
tract binding upon the State.
Eleventh-We hold, that it misfortune
and financial ruin should at any time
prevent u full and rigid compliance with
the letter and spirit of our bond, that
then !, settlement should be sought after
consultation with our creditors as our
equals, which shall at the same time be
just to them and commensurate with
our resources.
Twelfth--We hold that the judiciary
department of our government should
he kept free aud unpolluted by the tur-
moil aud contest of politics, and recog-
nize that there may be and is at all
times an honest difference Of opinion
among the most learned upon the proper
construction of constitutional and statu-
tory enactments which honest differ
cncc OF opinion necessarily leads to diff
ferent political affiliations. We hold
that each Of the great political parties
| should be represented npon the bench.
The following are the resolutions III
cluded in the report:
Rcsolred, That the recognized position
of the Republican party as the party Of
good faith, honest dealing and devoted
adherence t" the principle that the
rights Of public creditors must, at all
hazards, be fully and fairly protected,
demands that the vote of our party
should, as a unit, be cast against the
debt ordinance Of the proposed constitu-
ton.
Resolped, That as to the adoption of
the constitution we recognize an honest
aud legitimate sphere for difference Of
opinion, and recommend that the ques-
ton of the adoption or rejection of the
proposed instrument be left to the indi-
vidual convictions of the voters