Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-06-15
LIE ri.ATrOKM.

The Republican party, in national con-
ventiOu assembled. at the end III 20 years
since the federal government was hrst
committed 20 it, charge, submits TO the
people OF the United States this brief re-
port OF its administration. IL suppressed
rebellion which had armed nearly million
OF men 10 sabyept the national authority.
II reconstructed the union OF the States,
with freedom instead OF slavery rs It's cor
uer stone IL transformed I LOO 600 human
beings from the likeness OF things 10 the
rank OF citizens. IL relieved Congress
from the infamous work Of hunting nigi-
tive slaves, and charged II 70 see that >lay-
cry does not exist. II has raised the value
OF our paper currency from IS per cent. to
the par OF gold. II has restored, upon L
solid basis, payment Ia coin for all the
national obligations, and has given cur
rency absolutely good and equal in every
part OF our extended country. II has
lifted the credit or the nation from the
point where per cent. bonds sold at SO,
To that where per cent. bonds are eagerly
sought ut premium Under its admins
tration. railways have Increased from 81
600 miles in 1850 TO more than so, 600 miles
in 1879. our foreign trade has increased
froEi S70u. OOl, goo 10 81, 100, OuO,OO0 in the
same time, and our exports, which were
$40, OO0, 900 less than our imports in 1850,
were S264 on, 900 more than our imports
in 1879. Without reSortlng 10 loans, IL
has, since the war closed, betrayed the
ordinary expenses OF the government, be-
side the accruing interest on the pubic
debt. and disbursed annually more than
$50, 0Q0, 900 for soldiers pensions. TX has
paid SSSS, 600, 900 or the pu0lic deot, aud,
by refunding the balance at lower rates, has
reduced the annual interest charge from
nearly Sl5l 100000 10 less than oo9,OOO,-
900. 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 have ever en-
loved. 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
statements OF the principles and purposes
which will continue TO guide and inspire
its efforts
First-We affirm that the work of the
last 81 years has been such as TO commend
itself 10 the favor Of the nation, and the
fruit OF the costly victories which We have
achieved through immense difficulties
should be preserved; that Tue peace re-
gained should be cherished; that the dis
severed Union, now happily restored,
should be perpetuated, and that the liber-
ties secured 10 this generation should be
transmitted, undiminished, TO future gen.
erations; that the order established and
the credit acquired should never be I'm
paired; that the pensions promised should
be ext;uguished by the full payment of
every dollar thereof; that the reviving
industries should be further promoted, and
that the commerce, already so great, should
be steadily encouraged.
Secomd-The constitution of the United
States is supreme law, and not mere
compact. Out OF confederated States 1t
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 determined by the national,
and not by the state tribunals.
Third--The work of popular education
| is one left to the care OF the several states,
but Ii is the duty OF the national govern
ment TO aid that work to the extent of Its
constitutional 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 guided, not
by the genius Of any one state, but by the
average genius Of all A7-- l-
Fourth--The constitution wisely forbids
Congress to make any law respecting an
establishment Of religion, bus II 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 consti-
tuition be SO amended as TO lay the same
prohibition upon the Legislature Of each
State, and 70 forbid the appropriation Of
public funds to the supp9rt q sectaFiap
schools.