Sword and shield. (Clinton, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1885-06-27
Platform.

principles
The right to vote accorded by the
Constitution of the United States is
the concern Of the whole people, and
must be secure at all hazards to
every citizen in every part of the re-
public. Existing guarantees must
be sacredly maintained, and addi-
tional ones provided if necessary,
that the equal protection of the laws
and the equal enjoyment of the suf
frage shall not fail or be abridged in
any way through the connivance,
neglect or fraud of any of the States
of the Union.
The Democratic party, which
owes its national victory last fall to
the willful suppression of the
ballot, can not be looked to for
che enforcement Of these consti-
tutional guarantees, and the hope
of the friends of equal laws and
equal suffrage is in the Republi-
can party, which pledges itself to
wage the contest to a successful
end.
We want such legislation as will
harmonize TIE relations Of labor and
capital and promote the welfare Of
the people and protect and foster
the industries of the State.
We favor the establishment of a
national bureau of industry, the en-
forcement of the eight-hour law, and
adequate appropriations from the
public revenues for general edu-
cation wherever the same is need
ed.
We denounce the importation of
contract labor, and favor the most
stringent laws to effectively prevent
it.
We are opposed to the acquisition
of the public lands, or any part
thereof, by nonresident aliens.
We are in favor of a protective
tariff which will encourage American
development and furnish remunera-
tive employment to American Ia
Dor, and we are opposed to the Brit
ish policy advocated by the Demo-
cratic party under the guise of a
tariff for revenue only.
We demand the restoration of the
wool duty Of 1867 or its full equiva
lent, and we denounce the Democrat
ic Congress for failing to make good
the pledges they made in this be-
half.
We condemn the action Of the
present Administration in lowering
the national flag upon the public
building at Washington as a mark
of respect to man who dishonOred
the one and sought to destroy the
other, who planned with cruel deter
mination in Canada to overwhelm
the Northern cities with fire and to
sweep to death their inhabitants
by scattering everywhere the
germs Of infectious and fatal dis
eases.
That the elevation to important
and honorable Offices of the Govern
ment of unrepentant rebels, where
political disabilities have not been
removed, is a fragrant violation of
the Constitution and an insult to the
loyal people of the whole country /;
and we denounce the administration
of President Cleveland for it's gener-
al discrimination in the appointments
SO far made against Union soldiers
and in favor of men who fought
against the Union.
The Republican party, which en-
acted the present civil service law,
will faithfully maintain it and cheer
fully aid IN all needed amendments
to give it full force and it is commit
ed to all grades of service to which
it is applicable. Ample appropria-
tions should be made to enforce it in
letter and spirit, and all laws at
varience with the objects of existing
reform legislation should be repealed.
Having accomplished this much, the
party pledges itself to still further
and higher reforms. 1t looks with
deepest regret upon the failure of
the present Administration to pro-
mote the reforms of the civil service 50
ausEiciously began under Republican
administration.
The Republican party of Ohio de-
mands the repeal of the limitation
contained in the pension arrears
act of 1873, so that all invalid sol
diers shall share equality and their
pensions begin with the date of dis
ability or discharge and not with
the date ofapplication.
We denOunce the Democratic
party for destruction Of the Scott
law and the consequent increase of
the burdens of taxation upon all
property, and the abandonment Of
an annual revenue of 100000,
and while recognizing the peoples
right to amend the organic law, we
demand the enactment of such leg
islation as will give us the most
efficient measure for the regulation
and taxation of the lIquor traffic at
tianable under the Constitution.
We denounce the present Demo-
cratic Legislature for their treach-
cry to their pledge on the subject
of contract labor, and arraign their
incompentency and extravagance in
the management Of the Penltenti-
ary. ags ~ ea,s,-.
We denounce the present Demo
cratic General Assembly for its ex-
travagance, corruption and wantOn
disregard of the true interests and
good name of our State.