Year: 1876

AhL AhAA VhAAs
(Adopted by the Cincinnati Convention


June 18th, 1861


When in the economy of Provi-
dence this land was to be purged of
human slavery and when the strength
of the government of the people by
the people for the people was to be
demonstrated, the Republican party
came into power. Its deeds have
passed into history, and we look back
to them with pride incited by their
memories and high aims for the good
of our country and mankind; and
looking to the future with unfalter-
ing courage, hope and purpose, we the
representatives of the party, in Ma
tional Convention assembled, make
the following declarations of princi-
Piles.


First. The United States of Ameri-
ca is nation, not league; by the
combined workings of the national
and state governments under their
respective constitutions, the rights
of every citizen are sacred at home
and protected abroad and the common
welfare promoted.


Second, The Republican party has
preserved these governments to their
hundredth anniversary of the nations
birth, and they are now embodiments
of the great truths spoken at its cradle,
that all men are created equal, that
they are endowed by their creator
with certain inalienable rights, among
which are life, liberty and the pur-
suit of happiness; that. for the attain
ment of these ends governments have
been instituted among men, deriving
their present power from the consent
of the governed. Until these truths
are cheerfully observed, or. if needed,
vigorously enforced, the work of the
Republican party is unfinished.


Third. The permanent pacification
of the southern section of the union
and the complete protection of its
citizens in the free enjoyment of all
their rights,are duties to which the
Republican party stands sacredly
pledged. The power to provide for
the enforcement of the principles
embodied In the recent constitutional
amendments,is vested by the amend
ments In the Congress of the United
States, and we declare it to be the
solemn obligationof the legislature and
executive departments of the govern
ment,to put into immediate and Wig
erous exercise all their constitutional
powers for removing any just causes
of discomfort on the part of any class,
and for securing to every American
citizen complete liberty and exact
equality in the exercise of all civil,
political and public rights. To this
end We imperatively demand a
Congress and chief executive whose
courage and fidelity to these duties
shall not falter until these results are
placed beyond dispute or recall.
Fourth. In the first act of congress
signed by President Grant, the Ma
tional government assumed to re-
move any doubt as to its duties to
discharge all just obligations to pub
lie creditors, and solemnly pledged
its faith to make provision,
at the earliest practicable period,
for the redemption of United States
notes in coin. Commercial prosperity
public morals and national credit
demand that this promise be fulfilled
by conclusive and steady progress to
specie payments.


Fifth. Under the constitution the
president and heads of departments
are to make nominations for office.
The senate is to advise and to consent
to appointments, and the House Of
Representative is to accuse and prose-
cute faithless officers. The best in
terests of the public service demand
that these distinctions be respected
but Senators end Representatives, who
may be judges and accusers, should
not dictate appointments to office.
The invariable rule for appointments
should have reference to the honesty,
fidelity and capacity of the appoint
ees, giving to the party in power
those places where harmony and
vigor Of administration require Its