Year: 1871

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and every State within the Union is


a fundamental principal of Federal


Government, and that no department


Of that Government has power to


eXpel State from the Union, or to


deprive it, under any preteXt what


ever, of its equal rights therein, in


cluding especially the right Of full


and complete repres eltation in Con


gress and in the electoral college.


). That we will always cherish


and uphold the American system of


State and local self goverament for


State and local purposes, and a gen


eral government for general pur
poses only. and are unalterably OPP
tPoSed to all attempts at centraliza-


ton and consolidation of power in


the hands Of the General Govern


ment, and more especially when


such attempts are III the form of
usurpation hy any department Of


that Government: and. further, that


we adhere firmly TO the principal Of


maintaining perfect independence
/ between the coordinate departments


of that Government. the Legislative


and executive-the judicial con-


demning all encroachments by the
one upon the functions Of the others.


6. That outside of the funda-


mental law all legislation is in its
nature and purposes temporary, and
subject to change, modification or
repeal at the will Of Il majority of a
people expressed through the law
making power, and that tho pretense
that any Act of Congress not exc
cuted and spent, or any legislative
policy of party rs an absolute
tinality, IS totally inconsistent with
the whole theory of Republican
Government, and that it is the I'M
questionable right of tne people, of
themselves and through their Repre-
sentatiyes at each successive Con-
gress. to judge of what legislation
is necessary and proper. or appro-
pirate to carry into execution or en-
force constitutional powers, rights
and duties Of the Federal Govern
ment


!. That as an instance Of eminent
~ appropriate legislation under the
fourteenth amendment. in the name
of wisdom, Justice and republican
government. and to secure universal
political rights and equality among
both the white and colored people
of the United States, to the end that
we may have peace at last. We call
now. rs well on behalf Of the North
as OF the South. upon Congress for
universal amnesty.


s. That we are IN favor OF the pay
ment Of the public debt at the earli
est practicable moment consistent
with moderate taxation: and the
more ehectualIy to secure and hasten
its payment, We demand the stricteSt
honesty and economy in every part
of the administration of the Govern
nent.


9. That We are in favor Of such
revenue reform As will greatly sim
plify the manner Of, and reduce the
number OF officers engaged in, col
lectiDg and disbursing revenue. and
largely diminish the now enormous
expense to the Government. and the
annoyance andveXation to the people
the same: and further. one |
that viii make the burdens Of taxa
ton equal, uniform and just, and |
no greater than the necessities of
the Government, economically ad /
shall require.


TO- That we are in favor of q |
searching and adequate reform in
the civil service of the Government. |
so as to secure faithfulness, honesty |
and efficiency in all its branches, and :,
in every officer and appointee con-
nected with it.


IL. That we are in favor of a
strictly revenue tariff conformed to
the theory and principles of all other
Just and wise tax laws.


Il. That all the taxation ought to
he based on wealth, instead Of popu-
lation. and tina: every person should |
be required to contribute to the sup
port of the Government in proper
ton to the amountan not with refer I
ence to the character of his property


-. That specie is the basis of all
sound currency, and that q true pol
icy requires as speedy a return to
that basis as is practicable without
distress to the debtor class of the
people.


Il. That there is no necessary or
irrepressible conflict between labor
and capital or consolidated wealth;
that capital is entitled to the just and
equal protection of the laws, and that
all men, whether acting indivi lually