The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-06-12
The Platform.

The Republican party, i'll national con-
vention assembled, at the end of twenty
years since the Federal Government was
first committed to its charge, submits to
the people of the United States this brief
report of its administration. 1t suppress
ed rebellion, which had armed nearly a
million of men to subvert the national
authority. Applause. 1t reconstructed
the union of the States, with freedom
instead of slavery rs its corner stone. 1t
transformed four million human beings
from the likeness Of things to the rank of
citizens. Applause. It relieved Congress
from the infamous work Of hunting tugi-
tive slaves, and charged it 10 see that
slavery does exist. 1t has raised the
value of our paper currency from IS per
cent. TO the par of gold. [Cheers.l 1t
has restored upon solid basis payment
in coin for all the national obligations
and has given US q currency absolutely
good and equal in every part of our eX
tended country. 1t has lifted the credit
of the nation from the point from where
per cent. bonds sold at So to that where
1 per cents are eagerly sought at prem
ium. Under its administration railways
have increased from 81, 600 miles in 1860
to more than $4,000 miles in 1879. Our
foreign trade has increased from $780,
600, 600 to 81, $50, 900, 600 in the same time
and our exports, which were $50, 100000
less than our imports in 1860, were Sa64,-
100000 more than our imports in 1879.
Without resorting to loans, it has since
the war closed betrayed the ordinary ex-
penses of government, besides the acGru-
ing interest on the public debt, and dis
bursed annually more than $50, 600, 900
for soldiers pensions. 1t has paid $685.
O00 600 on the public debt, and by re-
funding the balance at lower rates has
reduced the annual interest charged from
nearly $l5l 600, 900 to less than asg 000,-
000 All the industries of the country
have revived, labor is in demand, wages
have increased. and throughout the en-
tire country there is evidence Of ~ COM
ing prosperity greater than we have ever
enjoyed. Upon this record the Repubi-
can party ask for the continued conf
dence and support of the people. and this
convention submits for their approval the
following statements of the principles
and purposes which will loninup iG guide
and inspire its efforts:
First We affirm that the work of the
last twenty-one years has been such DIS to
commend itself to the favor of the nation,
and that the fruits of the costly victor
les which we have achieved through i'm
mense dihicNltics shonld be preserved,
after that ting peape resaincd sho..ld be
cherished; that the discovered Union. now
happily restored. should be pcrpetuated,
and that the liberty secured to this gen
Grafton should be transmitted undimin-
ished to future generations; that the
order established and the credit acquired
should never he impaired: that The pen
sions promised should I've cxtinguished by
the full payment of every dollar thereof;
that the reviving industries should be
further promoted, and that the commerce
already so great should be encouraged.
second. Tlip coratitNtion Of the United
States is 4 supreme law, and not Il mere
contract. Out of confederated States it
made sovereign nation. Some powers |
are denied to the States, but the bounda-
~ between the powers delegated and
those reserved is to be determined by the |
nation, and not by the Stat e tribunals:
Third TIE veil. Ct ,iopHlar educaticn /
is one left 70 tha care Of Pie #a[efal
States. but it is the duty of the National |
Government to aid that work to the en-
tent of its constitutional duty. The in |
tellioence of the nation is but the a@gre-
gate of the intelligence in the several /
States, and the destiny of the nation |
must he gTided rot Ivy the genius of any
one State, but by Tie average genius u |
all.
Fourth. The Constitution wisely for
bids Congress to make any law respecting |
an establishment of religion, but it is idle |
to hope that the nation can be protected |
ag.ti,.sr tli2 il;'iFieNcp Of sertariaaism
while each Siate is 4xNqseq 10 it's dqmi-
nation. We therefore recommend that .
the same prohibition upon the Lcgisla-
turc of each State, and to forbid the APP
preparation of public funds to the support
Of sec,ariay schools.
Fifth. ~ { affirm The belief avowed in
1876, that the duties levied for TIC pur-
pose of revenue should SO discriminate
as to favor America labor; that no fur
Their grant of the public domain should
be made to any railway or other corpora
ton: that slavery having persisted i'll the
St1te$, it twin harbarity-polygamy-
MI st de i, IL i,,r.i5,oti9s that every
where the protection ACCORDED tq citizens
of American birth must be secured to
citizens of American adoption, and that
we esteem it the duty of Congress to de-
velop and improve our water courses and
harbors, but insist that further subsidies
10 private per-ons or corporations must
fe4ie: Ehai th,s obligations Of the repTh-
lie to the n.sn Who pfeseF,ed is ,htesri
ty in the hour Of hattie are GndiN, inisHea
by the lapse of fifteen years since ther
final victory. To do them perpetual
honor is and shall forever be the grateful
privilege and sacred duty of the Ameri-
can people. l.