The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1880-06-10
Republican Platform.

The Republican party, in National
Convention assembled, at the end of
twenty years since the Federal Gov
ernment was first committed to its
charge, submit to the people of the
United States this brief report of its
administration:
It suppressed rebellion which had
armed nearly a million of men to sub
vert the National authority.
It constructed the union of the
States, with freedom instead Of slave
ry as its cornerstone.
1t transformed 100000 human
beings from the likeness Of things to
the rank of citizens. 1t relieved Con-
gress from the Infamous work of
hunting fugitive slaves, and charged
it to see that slavery does not. exist.
1t has raised the value of our paper
currency from thirty-eight per cent
to the par Of gold. It has restored
on solid basis payment in coin for
all the National obligations, and has
given us currency absolutely good
and equal in every part of our ex-
tended country. Tt has lifted the
credit Of the Nation from the point
where six-per-cent bonds sold at Sc, to
that where four-per-cent bonds are
sought at premium. Under its ad-
ministration railways have increased
from $1,000 miles in 1860, to more
than $4,000 miles in 1879. Our for
eign trade has increased from seven
hundred millions to eleven hundred
and fifty millions in the same time,
and our exports, wi ich were twenty
millions less than our imports in 1860,
were $264.00O,000 more than our i'm
ports in 1879. Without resorting to
loans, it has since the war closed de-
frayed the ordinary expenses Of Gov
ernment, beside the accruing interest
on the public debt, and disbursed an
nually more than thirty millions for
soldiers pensions. 1t has paid $685.
100000 of the public debt, and by re-
funding the balance at lower rates,
has reduced the annual interest charge
from nearly $151, 100000 to less than
S89,0O0,000.
All the industries of the country
have revived, labor is in demand,
wages have increased, and throughout
the entire country there is evidence
Of coming prosperity greater than
we have ever enjoyed. Upon this
record the Republican party asks for
the continued confidence and support
of the people, and this Convention
submits for their approval the follow
ING statements of the principles and
purposes which will continue to guide
and inspire its efforts:
First-We affirm that the work of
the last twenty-one years has been
! such as to commend itself to the fa-
vor Of the Nation, and that the fruits
of the costly victories, which we have
achieved through immense difficulties
should be preserved; that the peace
regained should be cherished; that
the discovered Union, now happily re-
stored, should be perpetuated, and
that the liberties secured to this gen
Grafton should be transmitted undi-
minished to future generations; that
the order established and the credit
acquired should never be impaired
that the pensions promised should be
paid; that the debt, so much reduced
should be extinguished by the full
payment Of every dollar thereof; that
the reviving industries should be fur,
ther promoted, and that the commerce
already so great should be steadily en-
couraged.
Second-The Constitution Of the
United States is a supreme law, anC
not mere contract; out OF confeder
ated States it made a sovereign Ma
ton. Some powers are denied to the
Nation while others are denied to the
States, but the boundary between tht
powers delegated and those reserved
is to be determined by the Nationa
and not the State tribunal.
Third-The work of popular edu
cation is one left to the care of th,
several States, but it is the duty 0:
the National Government to aid tha
work to the extent Of it's constitution
al ability; the intelligence of the Ma
ton is but the aggregate of the intel
lieence in the several States, and th
destiny of the Nation must be guided
not by the genius of any one State
but by the average genius of all.
Fourth-The Constitution wisel,
forbids Congress to make any law re
specting an establishment of religion
but it is idle to hope that the Nation
can be protected against the infuenc
of sectarianism while each State is ex
posed to its domination. We there
fore recommend that the Constitution
be so amended as to lay the same pro
; 'hibition on the Legislature of eacl
State, and to forbid the appropriation
Of public funds to the support Of sec
tartan schools.
Fifth - We reaffirm the belle
avowed in 1876, that the duties levie,
for the purpose of revenue should s.
: discriminate as to favor American la
Dor. That no further grants of tn
public domain should be made to an,
railway or other corporation; tina
, slavery having perished in the States
: its twin barbarity, ''polygamy," mus
die in the Territories; that everywher
, the protection accorded to a citizen O
American birth must be secured t.
the citizens by American adoption
that we esteem it the duty of Congress
to develop and improve our water
courses and harbors, but insist tina
further subsidies to private person
OR corporations must cease
that the obligations of the Re
. public to the men who preserved it
integrity in the day of battle are un
, diminished by the lapse Of fftee!