The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-06
THE PLATFORM.
The Declaration of Principles of the RepubIi-
can Party for the Camnairn

can Party for the Campaign.
CHICAGO, June 5.-At the conclusion of the debate
the report of the committee on rules Mr. Mckinley
of Ohio from the committee resolutions presented
the following platform:
The Republicans of the United States in national
convention assembled renew their allegiance TO the
principles upon which they have triumphed in six
successive presidential elections and congratulate the
American people on the attainment of so many re.
suits in legislation and administration by which the
republican party has after saving the Union done so
mQch to render its institutions just equal and bene
eal the safeguard OF liberty and the embodiment of
the best thought and highest purposes of our citi
zens The Republican party has gained its strength
by quick and faithful response to the demands of
the people, for the freedom and equality of
all men, for united nation assuring the rights of all
citizens for the elevation Of labor for honest cur
rency for purity in legislation and for integrity and
accountability in all departments of the government;
and it accepts the duty of leading in the work of
progress and reform. We lament the death of Presi-
dent Garfield whose sound craftsmanship, long con-
spieuous in Congress, gave promise of strong and
successful administrations promise fully realized
during the short period of his office President OF
the United States His distinguished success in war
and peace have endeared him to the hearts of the
American people.
In the administration of President Arthur we reeoe
nize wise, conservative and patriotic policy under
which the country mas been blessed with remarkable
prosperity, and believe his eminent services are
titled to and will receive the hearty approval of every
citizen.
tits the first duty of good government to protect
the rights and promote the interests of its peo-
pie. The largest diversity of industry IS most pro.
ductive of general prosperity and of the comfort and
independence of the people. We therefore demand
that the imposition of duties foreign imports shall
be made not for only but that in raising the
requisite revenues for the government, such duties
shall be so levied to afford security our diversi-
fed industries and protection the rights and wages
of the laborer to the end that active and intelligent
labor. as well as capital may have its just reward
and the laboring man his full share in the national
prosperity. Against the socalled economic
system of the Democratic party which would degrade
our labor to the foreign standard. we enter
nest protest. The Democratic party has failed com
plete to relieve the people of the burden of unneces-
sary taxation by a wise reduction of the surplus.
The Republican party pledges itself to correct the
inequalities of the tariff, and to reduce the surplus
not by the vicious and ndisciminate process of hori
zontal reduction but by such methods viii relieve
the taxpayer without iniurin the laborer the great
productive interests of the country.
We recognize the Importance of sheep husbandry in
the United States the serious depression which it is
experiencing, and the danger threatening its fu-
ture prosperity, and therefore respect the de-
mands OF the representatives of this important agri-
cultural interest for readiusment of duty upon for
egn wool in order that such industry shall have full
and adequate protection
known to the civilized world and urge that efforts
should be made to unite all commercial nations in the
establishment of international standard which
shall iX for all the relative value Of gold and silver
coinage.
The regulation of commerce with foreign nations
and between the states is one Of the most important
prerogatives of the general government and the Re-
publican party distinctly announces its purpose to
support such legislation as will fully and efficiently
interstate commerce
Tbs principle of the public regulation of railway
corporations is wise and salutarv one for the pro
lection of all classes of the people and favor leg
isation that shall prevent unjust discrimination and
excessive charges for transportation and that shall
secure to the people and the railways alike the fair
and equal protection of the laws
We favor the establishment of national bureau of
labor, the enforcement of the eighthour law, and
judcious system of general education by adequate APP
propriatons from the national revenues wherever the
same is needed
We believe that everywhere protection to a
citizen of American birth must be secured to citizens
by American adoption and we favor the settlement of
national differences by international arbitration
The Republican party, having its birth in a hatred
OF slave labor, and desire that all may be truly
free and equal is uualtcably opposed to placing
worbingmen in competition with any form of servil0
labor, whether at home or abroad. II this spirit
denounce the importation of contract labor whether
from Europe Asia oense again the spirit of
American institutions aud we pledge ourselves to
tain the present law restricting Chinese immigration
and to provide such further legislation is necessary
to carry out its purposes,
Reform of the civil sevlice. auspciously begun
der y Republican administration, should be completed
by the further extension Of the reformed system al
ready established by law to all tho gydes of the
ice to which it is applicable Tho spirit and purpose
of the reform should be observed in al executive ap.
ponments All laws at variance with the objects of
existing reformed legislation should be repealed to
the end that the dangers to free Institutions which 1uR