Year: 1870

The Union Republican party OF Indiana, assem-
bled in Convention at indianapolis, the I'D day of
February 1870, makes the following declaration OF
principles:


We congratulate the country on the restoration of
law and order in the late rebeious States, under the
reconstruction measures adopted by the General
Government, and upon the prevalence Of peace and
the States, under Constitution securing equali-
ty Of political and civil rig hts to all citizens, with
out distinction Of race or color ,-,
States as the Supreme law of the land and wise
embo iiment of the principles of free government,
and following its teachings will adopt from time
completely to establish justice, insure domestic


tranquility and secure the blessings of liberty TO our
ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment which for
ever secures equality of political rights to all
men, and we extend to the colored man helping
hand to enable him in the of life to improve
and elevate his condition.


Thxs the national debt created in the defense and
Of the Union, however great the burden
must be cheerfully borne, until honorably and hon
estly extngushed in accordance with the letter and
spirit of the several laws authorizing the debit and
that all attempts at repudition of principal in.
terest should meet the and denunciation of
honest and patriotic people.


ernment, from the highest 10 the lowest the strict
est economy in expenditures consistent with the
qurements of the public service; the reduction and
abolisomsnt OF II extravagant fees and salaries;
the closing OF all useless offices, and the dismissal
of their incumbents, and all efforts to these ends in
Congress, or elsewhere, have our unqualified >ap-
provai.


That q reduction Of taxation is demanded, both OF
tariff nd internal taxes, until it reaches the lowest
the Government; and that we are in favor of tar
if for revenue, believing that proper adjustm ent
of duties must necessarily afford all the incidental
protection to which any interest is entitled.
That in favor of . currency founded on the
national credit, abundant as the trade and COM
| merce of the country demands and that disap.
prove of all laws in reference thereto which estab-
lish monopoly or inequality.


That are opposed to the donation of the pub lie
- r. LII - 10 DO
and other corporations; and that demand the re-
servation of the public domain for the use of ac-
| tual settlers and educational purposes.
That We re-afirm that "of all who were faithful
in the trials of the late war; there entitled
to more especial honor than the brave soldiers and
seaman who endured the hardships of campaign
and cruise, and impered their lives in the services
Of their country and the bountes and pensions pro-
vided by law for those brave defenders of the nation
obligations to be forgotten, and should be
paid Without cost to the recipient. Tho widows and
orphans of the gallant dead the wards of the ma
ton-a sacred legacy bequeahed to the nations pro-
| That approve the general course of our Sena-
| tors and Republican Representatives in Congress,
and express full and entire confidence that they
will act with wisdom and integrity in all that con-
Germs the welfare of the people; and that we tender
| thanks to Senator Morton for his exertions in SO
shaping the Legislation Congress on the


ton OF the late rebel States to secure the passage
| of the Fifteenth Amendment.


That endorse the administration Of General
Grant as President Of the United States; accept the


increased collections of revenue, the reduction of
expenditures, and payment of a large portion of the
public debt fulillment OF his pr omise OF econ
omy, and rejoice that the victorious General OF the
Union armies should, a civil officer receive that


last of the rebel States in its return to the national
| family.


| Inasmuch as all Republican governments depend
for their stability and perpetuity on the intelligence
and virtue OF the Pe it is the right and duty OF
ter and secure the highest moral and intellectual
development OF the people.


That taxation for county and other local pur-
poses has become great to be oppressive to the
people; that system of county administration
| needs reform, and we demand of our representa- :
tives in the Legislature such changes in the stat
travagant tax evies by local authorities; and an
aid to this needed reform favor reduction of
the fees of county officers to standard which will
services rendered, and that officer should be "a
vored with salary, fees or perquistes beyond such
fair and reasonable compensation.
That the canal stocks issued under the legisla :
tion OF 1S46 and 1847, commonly called the Butler
Bill were, by the terms Of the contract, charged
| exclusively upon the Wabash and Erie Canal, its
aud lands, and the faith of the State
having been directly indirectly pledged for the
payment redemption thereof said canal stocks
debts or Liabilities Of the State. That the Constitu.
ton of the State ought to be amended at the earli
es. practicable PERIOD SO as to prohibit the taking
proposing to recognize create any liability of the
State for the said canal Stocks any part thereof
until such proposition shall have been submitted to


direct vote OF the people of the State and approved
by them.


That we heartily endorse the administration Of
our State affairs by Governor Baker, and his associ
ate State officers, and especially congratulate the
people that the time is when the State debt
will be entirely liquidated.


Col. Oyler, of johnson county, offered the follow
ing:


Resolved, That the State Central Committee
hereby instructed to appoint Treasurer, whose
duty it shall be to receive and account for all funds
raised received for the of said committee
during the ensuing campaign. Said funds to be dis
bursed the order of said committee. II shall al
be the duty of the said State Central Committee,
to appoint an auditing committee TO examine the
acoour IS of said Treasurer.


Adopted.