Year: 1874

to the organization OF an independent p0-
litical party, laying aside party differences
of opinion, and earnestly uniting for the
common purpose to secure the needed re-
forms in the administration Of public af-
fairs, cordially unite in submitting these
declarations-that all political power is
inherent in the people; that no govern
ment is worthy of preservation or should
be upheld which does not derive its power
from the consent Of the governed, by equal
and just laws that the unquestionable
rights of life, liberty and pursuit Of happi-
ness should be secured to all men without
distinction Of race, color or nativity: that
the maintenance Of these principles is es-
sential to the prosperity Of our republican
institutions, and that to this end the fed
eral constitution with all amendments, the
rights of States and union Of States must
and shall be preserved. That the main
tenance inviolate of the rights Of States,
especially Of the right Of each State to
order and control its own domestic insti-
tutions according to its own judgment ex-
clusively, is indispensable to that balance
of power on which the perfection and en-
durance of our political fabric depends,
and that we denounce as criminal the ex-
cess of constitutional powers and the policy
of President Grants administration. 1t is
fostering enormities perpetrated i'm certain
States of the Union in arbitrary interfer-
ence with their local affairs, in sustaining
therein the usurpation Of aliens and ire
sponsible adventures who BY certain men
have been illegally clothed with official
authority, and others deprived OF their
constitutional rights and oppressive laws
enacted, burdensome taxation imposed
and immense and fictitious Indebtedness
created, resulting in the degradation Of
these States and the general impoverish-
u-ent of their people.


That the recent conduct Of the present
administration in it's bold defiance of pub
lie sentiment and disregard of the common
good, in its prodigality and wastetul ex-
traragance, in innumerable frauds per-
petrated under it's authority, in its dis
graceful partiality for, and rewards of, un-
worthy 1avorites, in its reckless and un-
stable financial policy, and in its total in
capacity to meet the vital questions OF the
day, and provide for the general welfare,
stands without parallel in our national
history, and the highest consideration of
duty requires the American people in the
exercise of their inherent sovereignty to
correct these accommodating evils and bring
the government back to its ancient land
marks of patriotism and economy.


Fourth-That the faith and credit of the
nation must be maintained inviolate, that
the public debt of whatever kind should be
paid in strict accordance with the law un-
der which it was contracted that al over
issue of paper money being at variance
with the principles Of sound financial poll
cy, the circulating medium should be based
upon its redemption in specie at the earli-
est practicable day, and its conyerti-
bility into specie equivalent at the
will of the holder, and that subject to these
restrictions it is the duty OF Congress to so
provide by appropriate legislation, that the
volume Of our government currency shall
at all times be adequate to the general
business and commerce of the country,
and be equally distributed among the sew
eral States.


Fifth-That tariffs and all other modes
of taxation should be imuosed upon the
basis of revenue alone, and be so adjusted
as 20 yield the minimum amount required
for the legitimate expenditure of the gov
ernment, faithfully and economically ad-
ministered, and shat taxation to an extent
necessary to the accumulation of a surplus
revenue in the treasury, subjects the peo-
pie to needless burdens and affords, telnpta-
ton to extravagance and official corrup
ton.


Sixth-That railroads and all other cor
porations for pecunia-y profit, should be
rendered subservient to the public good !;
that we demand such constitutional and
necessary legislation upon this subject,
both State and National, as will effectually
secure the industrial and producing inter
ests of the country against all forms Of cor
porate monopoly and extortion,, and that
the existing railroad legislation Of this
State should be faithfully enforced, till
experience may have demonstrated the
propriety and justice of its modification !;
that while demanding that railroads be
subject to legislative control. we shall dis
countenance any action on this subject cal
culated to retard the progress Of railroad
enterprise, or work injustice to those
invaluable auxliaries to commerce and
civilization.


Eighth-That Limitation of the Presiden.
cy to one term, and election of Presideu.
and Vice President and United States Sem
aters by direct popular vote, and thorough