The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-06-25
THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.

We republish below the platform
adopted by the national Republican con-
vention at Chicago. The copy published
in the convention proceedings was i'm
perfectly transmitted by the telegraph,
two important paragraphs being omitted.
Ii is sound document, and should be
read by every republican.
The Republican party in national convention as,
sembe at the end of twenty years since the federal
first committed 70 Its charge, sub
its the people Of the United States this brief re-
port of its administration:
million of NET 10 subvert the national authority.
II reconstructed the onion Of states with freedom
instead of slavery its cOrherstOnc. Transformed
four million human beings from tie likeness OF things
to the rank Of citizens. 1t relieved congress from
the infamous work Of hunting fugitive slaves, and
charged it to that slavery did not exist. II has
raised the value of our paper currency from 81 per
solid basis payment In coin Of oil national obiga.
tons, and has given US currency absolutely good
and equal in every part Of our extended country
has lifted the credit Of the nation from the point
where six per cent bonds sold at SO, to where four
per cent bonds are eagerl sought at premium.
Under its administration railways have increased
from 81 900 miles In 1860 TO more than $4,000 miles
in 1879 Car foreign trade has increased from $780,
OOO0O0 TO ST. 600 900 in tho same time, and our
exports, which were $40 600 less than our imports
in 1860, were $264 OOU,0OO more taD our lnpor3 IN
1879. without rcsorting to loans IL has, since the
closed betrayed the ordinary expenses OF govern
ment besides the accruing interest on the pnnEc
debt and has disbursed annually more than t3o 0OO
OG0 for soldiers pensions. 1t has paid SSSs OF
the public debt, and, by refunding the balance at
lower rates, has reduced the annual interest charge
from nearly Sl5l 900 900 10 less than SS9 All
the industries OF the country have revived, labor Is In
demand, wages have increased, and throughout the
entire country there IL evidence Of coming pros
perity greater than have ever enjoyed. Upon this
record the Republican party asks for the continued
confidence and support Of the people, and this con-
yenton submits for their approval the following state
ment Of the principles and purposes which will con-
tinLe to guide and inspire its efforts.
FiystoWe affirm that the work Of the Republican
party for the last twenty years has been such rs 10
commend 1t to the favor Of the nation that tile fruits
Of the costly Victories which we have through
immense difficulties should be preserved: that the
Peace regained should be cherished that the union
should be perpetuaed, and that the liberties secured
TO this generation should be transmitted undinlinishcd
future generations; that the order established and
the credit acquired should never be impaired; that
the pensions and promises should be paid; that the
debt 70 much reduced should be extngnished by the
full payment Of every dollar thereof; that the reyy.
ing industries should be further promoted, and that
the commerce already 30 great should be steadily en-
couraged.
.Sceond-The constitution Of the United States is
supreme law and not mere contract. Out Of con-
tederate states II made a sovereign nation. Some
powers denied to the nation while others are de-
MED TO the states, but the boundary between the
powers delegated and those reserved Is to be de-
termined by the NATIONAL and not by the state tr1bun-
ais.
Thisd-The work Of popular education is one left
10 the care of the several states but II Ia the duty OF
the national government to aid that work to the ex
tent of its constitutional ability The intelligence Of
the nation il but the aggregate of the Intelligence IN
the several states and that the 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 wisely forbids congress
to make any law respecting an establishment of
toto hufit In In nation be
protected against the influence of sectariansm while
each state is exposed to its domination. We there.
as TO lay the same prohibition upon the legislature Of
each state and TO forbid the appropriation OF public
funds to the support Of sectarian schools.
Fifh-We reafiirm the belief ayowed in 1876 that the
duties levied for the purpose Of revenue should 30
discriminate To favor American labor that no fur
Their grants of the public domain should he made to
any railway other corporation; that slavery having
persisted in the states its twin barbaity, polygamy,
must die in the territories; that everywhere the pro-
lection accorded 10 citizen of American birt must
be secured TO citizens by American adoption; that We
dc cm II the duty Of congress TO develop and I'M
prove our water and harbors but insist that
further subsidies to private persons or corporations
must cease; that the obligations Of the republic to the
men who preserved it's integrity In the hour Of battle
are undiminishcd by the lapse Of fifteen years slnce
their final victory. To do them honor is aud shal
forever be the grateful privilege and sacred duty OF
the American people.
SjItL-Sincc the authority to regulate immigra-
ton and intercourse between the United states and
foreign nations rests with the congress Of the United
States and the trcaty-making power, the Republican
party, regarding the unrestricted Immigration OF
Chinese US matter of grave concernment, under
the exercise of both these powers would limit ana
re- tlict that immigration by the enactment OF such
just. humane and reasonable laws and treaties as will
produce that result. $3.50
Sepcntk-That tile purity and patriotism which
characterized the earlier career of rutherford b.
Hayes in peace and war, and which guided the
thought Of our immediate predecessors TO him Ter
presidential candidate, have continued to inspire
him in his chief executive, and that history
will accord 10 his administration the honors which
due 10 efficient, just and courteous discharge
of the public business and VIII honor his vetoes III
terposcd between the people and attempted partisan
laws.
Eighth-we charge upon the Democratic party the
habitua sacrifice of patriotism and justice to SUI
preme and Unsuitable lust for oihcc ana patronage;
that to obtain possession of the national and state
governments and the control of place and position
they have obstructed all efforts to promote the purity
and to the freedom Of suffrage, and have de-
Used fraudulent ballots and invented fraudulent cer-
LITIGATION Of returns; have labOred to unseat lawfully
elected members of congress to secure at all hazards
the vote OF majority of states in the house OF repre-
sentatiyes; have underworld to occupy by force and
fraud the places of trust given to others by the peo
pie of Maine, rescued by the courage In action Of
Nainer patriotic sons have, by methods vicious in
san legislation to appropriation bills upon whose pass
age the very movement of government depended !;
have crushed the rights of the individual; have adj
vocated the principles and sought the favor OF tne
rebellion against the nation, and have cndeavored to
obliterate the sacred memories OF the war and to
overcome its ncstmably valuable results OF nation-
atty personal freedom, and individual equality.
Ninth-Thc equal, and steady, and complete en-
forcement of the laws, and the protection OF all our
citizens In the enjoyment OF privileges and immu-
nifty guaranteed by the constitution, are tho first
duties of the nation.
Trpth-The dangers Of a "solid south" can only
be aycrted by faithful performance of every prom
isc which the nation has made to the citizen. The
execution of the laws, and the punishment OF all
those who violate them, the only safe methods by
which an enduring peace can be secured and genuine
established throughout the south. What
ever promises the nation makes the nation must per-
FORM nation cannot with safety rclegate this duty
TO the states The ssolid south" must be divided by
the peaceful agencies Of the ballot and all honest
opinions must there find FREQ expression. To this
end the honest voter must be protected against terror
ism, violence or fraud.
ElereHth-And we affirm II to be the duty and the
purpose Of the Republican party to use all legitimate
means to restore all the states of this union to the
most perfect harmony which may lie possible, and
We submit to the practical, sensible people OF the
United States to say whether II would not be danger
GUS to the dearest interests Of country ut this
time to surrender the administration OF the national
tn q party which seeks to overthrow the
existing policy under which We are 30 prosperous,
and thus bring distrust and confusion where there
is now order, confidence and hope.
Tirelfh-The Republican party adherfng TO the
affirmed by ts last national convention
Of respect for the constitutional rules governing a-
pointments to Office adopts the declaration OF Presi-
dent Hayes that the reform Of the civil service should
be thorough, radical and complete. To this end 1t
demands the cooperation of the legislative with the
executive departments Of tho government, and that
congress shall legsae that htncss ascertained by
propcr practical tests shall admit to the public ser
vice.