Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1884-06-13


the reformed system already estab-
lished by law to all the grades of
the service to which it is applicable.
The spirit and purpose of the re.
norm should be observed in all
executive appointments, and all
laws at variance with the objects OF
existing reformed legislation should
be repealed to the end that the
dangers to free institutions, which
lurk in the power of official patron
age, may be wisely and effectively
avoided.
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
The public lands are a heritage
of the people of the United States
and should be reserved as far as
possible for small holdings by ac.
tual settlers. We are opposed to
the acquisition of large tracts OF
these lands by corporations or in.
dividuals, especially where such
holdings are in the hands of non.
resident aliens, and We will endea-
vor to obtain such legislation as
will tend to correct this evil. We
demand of Congress the speedy
forfeiture of all land grants which
have lapsed by reason of non.com.
pliance with acts of Incorporation,
in all cases where there has been
no attempt in good faith to perform
the conditions of such grants.
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS OF THE LATE
WAR.
The grateful thanks of the Ameri-
can people are due to the Union
soldiers and sailors of the late war,
and the republican party stands
pledged to suitable pensions for all
who were disabled and for the
widows aud orphans of those who
died in the war. The republican
party also pledges itself to the ar
rears act of 1879, so that all invalid
soldiers shall share alike, and their
pensions shall begin with the date
Of disability or discharge, and not
with the date of the application.
FOREIGN POLICY
The republican party favors a
policy which shall keep us from en-
tangling alliances with foreign ma.
tions, and which shall give the
right to expect that foreign nations
shall refrain from meddling in
American afairs-the policy which
seeks peace and can trade with all
powers, but especially with those
of the western hemisphere.
THE NAVY.
We demand the restoration of
our navy to its old-time strength
and efficiency, that it may in any sea
protect the rights of American
citizens and the interests of Amer
ican commerce, and we call on
Congress to remove the burdens
under which American shipping
has been depressed, so that it may
again be true that We have COM
merce which leaves no sea unex-
plored, and a navy which takes no
law from superior force.
OFFICERS OF THE TERRITORIES.
RESOLVED, That appointments
by the President to offices in the
Territories should be made from
the bona fide' citizens and residents
of the Territories wherein they are
to serve.
POLYGAMY SHOULD BE SUPPRESSED.
RESOLVED, That it is the duty of
Congress to enact such laws as shall
promptly and effectually suppress
the system of polygamy within our
Territories, and divorce the politi-
cal from the ecclesiastical power
of the so.called Mormon church,
and that the law so enacted should
be rigidly enforced by the civil au-
thorities if possible, and by the
military if need be.
A NATION WITH A BIG, BIG n.
The people of the United States,
in their organized capacity, consti-
tute a nation and not a mere con-
federacy of States. The national
government is supreme within the
sphere of it's national duty, but the
States have reserved rights which
should be faithfully maintained.
Each should be guarded with jeal-
GUS care, so that the harmony of
our system of government may be
preserved and the Union be kept
inviolate.
AFREE BALLOT.
The perpetuity of our institutions
rests upon the maintenance of a free
ballot, an honest count and cor
rect return. We denounce the
fraud and violence practiced by the
democracy in Southern States, by
which the will of the voter is de.
feated, as dangerous to the preser-
yation of free institutions, and we
solemnly arraign the democratic
party as being the guilty recipient
of the fruits of such fraud and
violence. We extend to the re-
publicans of the South, regardless
Of their former party affiliation,our
cordial sympathy, and pledge to
them our most earnest efforts to
promote the passage of such legis-
ation as will secure to every citi-
zen, of whatever race and color, the
'ull and complete recognition,
possession and exercise of all civil
md political rights.
THE PLATFORM ADOPTED.
As the platform was being read
,y Mr.. Mckinley there were inter
'uptions of applause at the points
approving the Presidents admins
ration; declaring that duties on
IMPORTS should be made not for
'evenue only; claiming fully and
adequate protection for sheep hus-
,andry; recommending legislation
n regnlate the railroads; disap-