Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-06-25
Republican National Platform.

Republican National Platform.
The following platform vas unanimously
adopted BY the National Republican Conven-
ton held At Chicago. 1t was endorsed We'd
nesaay by the Maine State Convention:
THE platform.
The republican party, in National ccnven-
ton assembled, at the end of 90 years since
the federal government was hrsf commiied
to its charge, submits 10 the people Of the
United States this brief report Of its admin.
istration. 1t suppressed rebellion. which had
armed nearly a million of men to snbvert the
national authority. CApplause. 1t recon-
structed the union of the States. with free
dom, instead of slavery as its cornerstone
rApplause1 1t transformed 4.0OO.OO hu-
man beings from the likeness of things to
the rank Of citizens. Applause. 1t re-
lieved Congress 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 - per
cent to the par of gold. CApplause.] 1t
has restored. upon a solid basis, payment in
coin for all the national obligations, and has
given a currency absolutely good and equal
in every part of our extended country. 1t
has lifted the credit of the nation from the
point where per cent. bonds sold a. Sc to
that where per cent. bonds are eagerly
sought at a premium. Under its adminlstra-
ton. RAILWAYS have increased from 81 600
miles in 1860 to more than $4,000 in 1879.
Our foreign trade has increased from $780,
600, 900 to 81, 15O. 900, 900 in the same time,
and our exports, which were 500 900 900 Jess
than our imports in 1860, were 1924 ,OOO,0 900
more than our imports in 1879. [Applause
Without resorting to loans, it has, since the
war closed, betrayed the ordinary expenses
of the government, besides the accruing in
terest on the public debt. and disbursed an
nually more than $50. 900 900 for soldiers
pensions. 1t has paid 1888 600 900 of the
public debt, and, bv refunding the balance at
lower rates. has reduced the annual interest
charge from nearly Sl5l 10000 to less than
$50, OOO,O All the industries of the coun-
try have revived, labor is in demand, wages
have increased, and throughout the entire
country there is evidence Of a coming pros
perty 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 following statement of the
principles and purposes which will continue
to guide and
INSPIRE Irs EFFORTS.
First-We affirm that the work of the last
to the favor of the nation. and that the fruits
Of the costly victories which we have achieved
through immense difficulties should be pre-
served; and that the peace regained should
be cherished; that the discovered Union, now
happily restored. should be perpetaated and
that the liberties secured to this generation
should be transmitted. undiminished, to flu
ture generations; that the order established
and credit acquired should never be inn
paired; that the pensions promised should be
extinguished by the payment of every dollar
thereof; that the reviving industries should
be further promoted, and that the commerce
already so great, should be steadily encour-
aged.
Second-The constitution of the United
States is Supreme law, and. not mere con-
tract Out of confederate states it made
sovereign nation. Some powers are denied
to the nation, while others are denied to the
states but the boundary between the powers
delegated and those reserved is to be deter
mined by the national and not by the state
tribunals. (Applause.)
fhird-The work of popular education is
one left to the care of the several states, but
it is the duty of the national government to
aid that work to the extent of its constitution
al duty. The intelligence of the nation is
but the aggregate of the intelligence in the
several states, and the destiny of the nation
must be guarded, not by the genius of any
one state, but by the average genius of all.
Fourth-Thc constitution wisely fOrbids
Congress to make any law respecting an es-
adjustment of religion, but it is idle to hope
that the nation can be protected against the
influence Of sectarianiSm while each State is
exposed to its domination. We, therefore,
recommend that the constitution be so amend
ed as to Law the same prohibition upon the
Legislature of each State. and to forbid the
appropriation of public funds to the support
of sectarian schools. (Cheers.)
Fifth-We affirm the belief avowed in 1876,
that the duties levied for the purpose of rev.
enue should so discriminate as to favor Amer
lean labor applause I that no further grant
of the public domain should be made to anv
railway or other corporation: that slavery
having persisted in the States. its twin bar
v-pOlygamv-mustd die in the territories
[applause; that everywhere the protection
accorded to citizens of American birth must
be secured to citizens by American adoption:
that we esteem il the duty of Congress to de-
velOp and improve our water courses and har-
bOrs. but insist that further subsidies to pri-
vate persons or corporations must cease; that
the obligations of the republic to the men
who preserved its integrity in the hour of
battle are undiminished bv the lapse Of fifteen
years since their victory. To do them per-
petual honor il. and shall forever be, the
grateful privilege and sacred duty of the
American people.
Sixth-The authority to regulate immigra-
ton and intercourse between the United
States and foreign nations rests with the Con-
gress, or with the United States and its treaty
making power. The republican party. re-
garding the unrestricted immigration of Chi
nese as an evil Of great magnitude. invokes
the exercise of these powers to restrain and
limit that immigration. nv the enactment of
such just. humane and reasonable provisions
as will produce that result.
Seventh-that the purity and patriotism
which characterized the earlier career Of
Rutherford b. HAYES. in peace and war. and
which guided the thoughts of our immediate
predecessors to him for presidential candi
date, have. continued to inspire him in his
career as chief executive and that history
will accord to his administration the honors
which are due to an efficient just and courte-
Gus discharge Of the public business, and
will honor his interpretations between the peo-
pie and proposed partisan laws. Cheers
Eighth-We charge upon the democratic
party the hahitual sacrifice Of patriotism and