The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-06-17

by the National Republican Conven-
tion, which nominated Gen. James n.
Garfield for President. The Demo-
cratic national platform we shall also
publish, that our readers may inform
themselves fully on the foundation
principles of the fall campaign:
Republican rule has restored upon
solid basis payment in coin for all the
national obligations, and has given
us currency absolutely good and le-
gal and equal in every part of our eX-
tended country. 1t has lifted the
credit of the nation from the point
where six per cent. bonds sold at S6,
to that where per cent. bonds are
eagerly sought at a premium. Under
its administration railways have in
creased from 1000 miles in 1860, to
more than $1,000 miles in 1879. Our
foreign trade has increased from $780,
one, 600 to 81, l50,000,00O in the same
time, and our imports, which were
$50, ,0D0,0OG less than our exports in
1850, were S264, 100000 more than our
imports In 1873.
Without resorting to loans, 1t has,
since the war closed, betrayed the or
1 dinary expenses of the government,
besides the accruing interest on the
public debt, and disbursed annually
more than $50, 900. 600 for soldiers PEN
sions. 1t has paid $780, 1000, 900 of the
public debt, and by refunding the bal
ance at lower rates, has reduced the
annual interest charge from nearly
S151 900, 900 to less than SS9,OOO,0OO.
All the industries of the country have
revived, labor is in demand, wages
have increased, and throughout the
entire country there is evidence of a
coming prosperity greater than we
ever enjoyed. Upon this record the
republican party asks for the contin-
ued confidence and support of the pco-
pie, and this convention submits to
their approval the following statement
Of the principles and purposes which
will continue to guide and inspire its
efforts:
First-We affirm that the work of
the last u years has been such as to
command itself to the favor of the ma
ton, 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; and the deserved
union now happily restored should be
| perpctuatcd and that the liberties Sc
cured to this generation should be
transmitted undiminished to future
generations; that the order established
and the credit acquired should never
be imperled; that the pensions prom
ised should be paid; that the debt SO
much reduced should be eXtinguished
| by the payment of every dollar
| thereof; that the reviving industries
should be ever promoted, and that the
commerce already SO great should be
| encouraged.
Second-The constitution of the
United States is the supreme law, and
not mere contract of confederated
states. 1t made sovereign nation.
Some powers are denied to the nation,
hut the boundary between the powers
delegated and those reserved is to be
determined by national and not by
state tribunals.
Third-The work of popular educa-
tiOn Is one left To the care of the sew
eral states, but it is the duty of the ma
| tional government to aid the work to
the extent Of its constitutional ability.
The intelligence of the nation is but
the aggregate of the intelligence in the
several states, and the destiny OF the
nation must be guided not by the ge-
Mus OF any one state, but by the aver
age genius of all.
Fourth-The constitution wisely for
bids congress to make any law respect
ing an establishment OF religion, but
it is idle to hope that the nation can
be protected against the influence of
sectarianism while each state Is ex-
posed to its particular domination.
We therefore recommend that the con-
stitution be so amendedas 10 lay some
prohibition upon the legislation of
each state, and to forbid the appropri-
alton of public funds to the support of
sectarian schools.
Fifth-We reaffirm the belief avowed
in 1875 that the duties levied for the
purpose of revenue should SO discrim-
mate as to favor American labor; that
no further grant of the public domain
should be made to any railroad o.
other corporation; that slavery hav-
ing periAhed in the states, its twin
barbarity, polygamy, must die In the
territories; that everywhere the pro-
lection accorded to a citizen OF Amer
lean birth must he secured to citizens
by American adoption; that II Is the
duty of congress- to develop and Inn
prove our water courses and harbOrs,
but we insist that further subsidies to
private persons or corporations must
cease; that the obligations to the men
who preserved its integrity in the day
Of battle are undiminished by the
lapse Of Is years since their final vic
tory; their perpetual honor is and
shall forever be the grateful privilege