Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1880-06-24
THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.

adopted by the national Republican con-
ventior at Chicago. The copy published
In the convention proceedings was i'm
perfectly transmitted by the telegraph.
two important paragraphs being omitted.
1t is sound document, and should be
read by every republican.
The Republican party in national convention as
sembed at the end Of twenty years since the federal
government was first committed to its charge, sub
mits to the people Of the United States this brief re-
port of its administration:
1t suppressed rebellion that had armed nearly n
million of men to subvert the national authority
II reconstructed the union of states with freedom
instead OF slavery its cornerstone. 1t transformed
four million human beings from the likeness of things
TO the rank of citizens It relieved congress from
the infamous work Of hunting fugitive slaves, and
charged it TO that slavery did not exist 1t has
raised the value of paper currency from 80 per
cent. TO the par of gold. 1t has restored. upon
solid basis, payment in coin of all national obliga-
tons, and has given us currency absolutely good
and equal in every part of our extended country 1t
has lifted the credit of the nation from the point
where six per cent bonds sold at Sc, to where four
per cent bonds are eagerl sought at premium.
Under its administration railways have increased
from 81, 200 miles in 1860 to than 1000 miles
In 1879 Cor foreign trade has increased from $780,
100000 to sl,150,000000 in the time, aud our
exports, which $40 600 600 less than our imports
in 1860, $40, 200 more than our imports in
1879. Without resortng to loans it has, since the
closed betrayed the ordinary expenses of govern
ment besides the accruing interest on the public
debt and has disbursed annually more than $50 000-
600 for soldiers pensions 1t has paid $685. 600 900 of
the public debt and, by refunding the balance at
lower rates, has reduced the annual interest charge
from nearly sl5l, 100000 to less than $50 100000 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 enjoyed. Upon this
record the Republican party asks for the continued
confidence and support of the people, and this coz.
venon submits for their approval the following state-
ment OF the principles and purposes which VIII con-
tinue to guide and inspire its efforts.
First-We affr,.l Chat tiIe WORK 1s inc Republican
party for the last twenty years has been such to
commend it to the favor of the nation that the fruits
Of the costly Victories which We have achieved through
immense difficulties should be preserved that the
peace regained should be cherished tlat the union
should be perpeuatea aud that the liberties secured
to this generation should be transmitted undiminshed
to future generations that the order established and
the credit acquired should be impaired; that
the pensions and promises should be paid that the
debt so much reduced should be extinguished by the
full payment of every dollar thereof that the reViy-
ing industries should be further promoted and that
the commerce already great should be steadily
couraged.
Sceond-The constitution of the United States is a
supreme law and not mere contract. Out of con-
tederate states it made 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-
termned by the NATIONAL and not by the state tribun
ais
Third-The work of popular education is one left
TO the of the several states but the duty of
the national government aid that work to the ex-
tent of is constitutional ability. The intelligence of
the nation is but the aggregate Of the intelligence in
the several states, and that the destiny of the
must be guided not by the genius of any one state,
but 10y the average genius of all.
F0urth-The constitution wisely forbids congress
10 make any law respecting an establishment of
religion, but 1t is ide to hope that the nation can be
protected against the influence of sectariansm while
each state is exposed to its domination. We there
fore recommend that the constitution be so amended
to lay the same prohibition upon the legislature of
each state, and TO forbid the appropriation of public
funds to the support of sectaran schools.
FthWe reafiirm the belief ayowed il 1876 that the
duties levied for the purpose of revenue should
discriminate as to favor American labor that fur
Their grants of the public domain should be made to
any railway other corDoraton that slavery having
persisted in the states its twin barbarity, poygamy,
must die in the territories; that everywhere the pro-
lection accorded to citizen of American birth must
be secured to citizens by American adoption that
deem it the duty of congress to develop and i'm
prove water courses and harbors but insist that
further subsidies to private persons corporations
must cease that the obligations Of the republic to the
who preserved its integrity in the hour of battle
undiminished by the lapse of fifteen years
their final victory. To do them honor is and shall
forever be the grateful privilege and sacred duty of
the American people.
Si1th-Since the authority b. regulate immigra-
ton and intercourse between the United States and
foreign nations with the congress Of the United
States and the treaty-making power, the Republican
party, regarding the unrestricted immigl alton of
Chinese matter of grave concernment under
the exercise OF bOth these powers would mint aud
restrict that immigration by the enactment of such
just humane and reasonable laws and treaties as will
produce that result.
Seuenth-That the 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 for
presidential candidate, have continued to inspire
him his chief executive, and that history
will accord to his administration the honors which
due to efficient just and courteous discharge
of the public business, and will honor his vetoes in
I tnrIpgpl h,t lpDDle Dartsan
laws.
Eighth-We charge upon the Democratic party the
habtual sacrifice of patriotism and justice to SUI
preme and unsuitable lust for office aid patronage
that obtain possession of the national end state
governments and the control of place and position
they have INSTRUCTED all efforts to promote the purity
and to the freedom Of suffrage and have de-
Used fraudulent ballots, and invented fraudulent GER
ticaon 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-
sentatives have endeavored 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
Names patriotic SONS; have, by methods vicious in
principle and tyrannica in practice, attached part-
legislation to appropriation bills upon whose pass
age the very movement of government depended
have crushed the rights of the individual have adj
yocated the principles and sought the favor of the
rebellion against the nation and have endeavored TO
ohliterate the sacred memories of the war and to
overcome its inestimahly valuable results Of nation
ality. personal freedom, and individual equality
NiHtt--Thc equal, and steady, and complete en-
orcement of the laws, and the protection OF all our
citizens in the enjoyment OF privileges and immu-
nifty guaranteed by the constitution, are the first
duties of the nation.
Tenth-The dangers Of solid SOUTH only
be averted by faithful performance of every PROM
Use which the nation has made TO the citizen. The
execution Of the laws, and the punishment Of all
those who violate them, are the only safe methods by
which enduring peace can De secured and genuine
prosperity established throughout the south. What
ever promises the nation makes the nation must per-
form. nation cannot W tn safety relegate this duty
to the states. The solid SOUTH must be divided by
the peaceful agencies Of the ballot and all honest
opinions must there find free expression. To this
end the honest be protected against terror