Year: 1876

zen. daWIey OF Connecticut, from the
Committee ON Resolutions, reported the
following platform;


When in the economy Of Providence
this land is to be purged of human sla-
very, and when the strength of the Gov
ernment of the people, by the people and
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 melted
by their memories melted to high aims
for the good of country and mankind,
looking to the fnture with unfaltering
courage, hope and purpose, we, the Re-
publican party, in national convention
assembled, make the following declara-
ton of principles


First-The United States of America
are nation not league, and by the
combined workings of the National and
State Governments under their respec-
tive constitutions, the rights of every
citizen are secured at home and protect
ed abroad, and the common welfare pro-
noted,


Second-The republican party has
perfected these governments to the hun
dredth anniversary of the nations birth,
and are now embodying the great truth
spoken at its cradle, that all men are
created equal, that "all are endowed by
their Creator with certain inalienable
rights among which are life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness that " for
the attainment of these things govern
ments have been instituted among men
deriving their just powers from consent
of the governed" Until these truths
are cheerfully obeyed or if need be rig
orously enforced, the work of the re-
publican party is unfinished.


Third-The permanent pacifcation of
the southern section of tlfe Union and
the complete protection of all United
States citizens in the free enjoyment of
all their rights, are duties to which the
the republican party stands sternly
pledged, The power to provide for the
enforcement Of the principles embodied
in the recent constitutional amendments
in the Congress of the United States,
and we declare it to be the solemn obli-
CATION of the Executive department of
the government to put into immediate
and vigorous exercise all their constitu-
tional powers for removing any just
causes OF discomfort ON the part of any
classes, and for securing to every Ameri-
can citizen complete liberty and exact
equality in the exercise Of all civil, po-
litical and public rights. To this end
we imperatiyely demand Congress and
Chief Executive whose courage and
fidelity to those duties shall not falter
until these results are placed beyond dis
pute or recall.


Fourth-In the first act of Congress
signed by President Grant, the national
government assumed to remove any
doubts as to its purpose to discharge all
just obligations to public creditors, and
solemnly pledged its faith to make pro-
vision at the earliest practical period for
the resumption of United States notes
in cash. Commercial prosperity, public
morals and the national credit demand
that the promise shall be fulfilled by a
continuous and steady progress to specie
payment


Fifth Under the constitution the
President and heads of departments are
to make nominations for office the SEN
ate is to advise, consult and appoint, and
the House of Representatives is to ac-
cuse and prosecute faithless officers. The
best interests Of the public service de-
mand that these distinctions be res pect-
ed that Senators and Representatives
who may be judges and accusers, should
not dictate appointments to office. The
invariable rule in appointments should
have reference to honesty, fidelity and
capacity of the appointee, giving to the
party in power those places where the
harmony and vigOr of administration re-
quire its policy to be represented but
permitting all others to be filled by per-
sons selected with some reference to their
efficiency.


Sixth-We rejoice in the quickened
confidence of people concerning political
affairs, and will hold all public officers
to rigid responsibility and engage that
the prosecution and punishment of all
violation of official trusts shall be swift,
thorough and unsparing


seventh-The public school system Of
the several States is the best work of the
American republic, and with a view to
its permanence, we recommend an
amendment to the Constitution of the
e L.