The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1880-06-22
Chicago Platform.


twenty years since tho Federal gov
ernment was first committed to its
chary., submits TO the people of the
United States the brief report of its
administration.
II suppressed rebellion, which
had armed nearly million OF people
to subvert the national authority.
ltre-onstructed tho union Of the
States with freedom instead Of slav.
cry as it's cornerstone.
II transformed four million human
being from the likeness Ut things 10
the rank Of citizens.
II relieved Congress from the infa-
nous work OF hunting fugitive slaves
and charged it to see That slavery does
not exist. m.,a
II ms raised the value of our paper
currency from thirly-eight per cent,
10 tne par of gold.
1t has restored upon a solid basis
payment in coin for all the national
obligation. AMI has given the United
States u currency absolutely gO1d
un equal in every part of ourcxtend.
ell country. .ts
1t has lifted the credit of the nation
from the point where the six per cent.
bond sold at eighiy-six to that where
four per cent. bonds are eagerly
sought It pleMi I'M. .Hi
la Under It's administration railways
have increased from thirty-one thous-
and miles in 1860 to more than eighty
thousand miles in 1879; our foreign
trade has increased from 500, 0,O00,0OU
TO $l, $l,l50,00O,0OO in the same time.
and our exports, which were $2O, 600,
OU0 less than our imports in 1860,
were $264.000,00O more than our i'm
ports in 1879. .l0ff fl t'ra' =
Without resortiug toloans it has
since the war closed delraying tho or.
dinary expense of the government,
besides the accruing interest on the
public debt, and disbursed annually
more than $30,0O0,000 for soldiers
pen .ions ; it has paid $SSS, ,000,00D OF
the public debt, aud, By refunding
the balance at lower rates, llas re.
,luced the annual interest charge from
nea ly $l5l, ,0UO,0O0 TO less than $685.
00O 600. a.t sn0a salg fhQI 0aTi
All the industries OF the country
have revived, labor is in demand,
wages have increased, and through
out the enlirecountry there is evidence
Of a coming prosperity greater than
we have ever enjoyed. .eY lgl
Upon this record the Republican
party asks for the continued conf
,iehce and support Of the people, and
tllis convention submits for their ap-
proyal the following statements OF
tho principles and purposes which
will continue TO guide and inspire its
effort: p
First-We affirm that the work o;
the last twenty-onc years has been
such as to command the tavOr OF the
nation, and that tho fruits OF the cost.
ly victories which we have achieved
through immense difficulties should
be preserved; that the peace regained
shoul,lIebe cherished; that the dis
served Union, now happily restored
should be perpetuated, and that the
liberties secured to this generation
should be transmitted undiminished
to future generations that the order
established and the credit acquired
should be paid; that the debt, SC
much reduced; should be extin.
guished by the full payment OF every
dollar thereof; that the reviying in
dustries should be further promoted
and that commerce already so grea
should be steadily encouraged. =
Second-The Constitution of thu
United States is a supreme law, and
not a mere contract of confederate
States; it made a sovereign nation
some powers are denied to the ma
tlon, while others arc denied to the
States, but the boundary between
tho powers delegated and those re-
served is to be determined By the
national and net tho State tribunals.
Third-rhe work OF popular edu
cation is one lett to tho care of tht
several States, but II is the duty o
the nanonal government to aid tha
work to the extent of its constitu
tional ability. The intelligence o
the nation is but tho aggregate. Of th'
intelligence in the several States, ant
the destiny OF the nation must b,
guided, not by the genius of any ON
State, but by the average genius o
all. D
Fourth Tho Constitution wisel,
forbids congress to make any la,
respecting an Establishment of rellig
ion, but 1t is Idle to hope that the liza
ton can be protected against the in
fluence OF sectarianism while eac
State is exposedto its domination
We therefore recommend that III
Constitution be SO amended TO la
the same prohibition of thei Legislu
ture OF each State, and TO forbid III
appropriation OF public funds to III
support of sectarian schools. nei =
| Flith--We reaffirm the belle
ayowed In 1876 that the duties .levie
for the purpose ofrevenue should 3
discriminate as to favor. our ow
labor; that no further, grant OF III
public domain should DO made
any railway and other corporation
that slavery having perisied in III
States, its twin barbarity polygam
must die in the territories that ever!
where the protection accorded TO
citizen OF American birth must be 81
cured to citizens of American adol
ton; that we esteem 1t the duty
Congress TO develop aud improve OF
watcr-course and harbors, but insi
that furthe. subsidies TO private pc
sons or corpations must cease. 10
2 Sixth-That the obligations of Il
, republic TO the men who preserve
its integrity In the day of battle a
undiminished by the lapse OF fiftc'
years since tAeir final victory. The
perpetual honor is, and shall forey'
DO The grateful privilege and sacr'
duty of the American people.
:, Since the authority TO regulate il
! migration and intercourse 'betwe
! the United States and foreign nalio
4 rests with the Congress OF the Unit
o States aud It's trealy-making powe
0 the Republican party, regarding I
1 unrestricted immigration Of Chine
4 rs an evil OF great magnitude, invo
: the exercise OF that mower to restra