Year: 1876

The Republican Platform.


The declaration of principles put forth by
the representatives of the Republican party
assembled in National convention at Cincin-
natl, will commend itself by its force, direct
ness and candor to the approval of thought
fnl men of both political parties. The declar-
alton is bold and significant, unmistakable
position is taken upon the issues now promi-
nently before the country, and no attempt is
made to avoid specific committals by the sub
stitution of statements of general truths.


The platform happily opens with refer
ence to the past of the Republican party and
the claims of that party upon the gratitude
and confidence of the country. The refer
ence is not superfuous, for the issues which
came up in the past are not yet fully settled,
and the former attitude of parties in regard
to them is indicative of the future course of
those organizations. So long as the South is
united in support of the Democracy it is idle
to say that the questions growing out of the
war are settled or that the sentiments of po-
litical organizations concerning them are not
Of moment. The declaration regarding the
nature OF the union is urgently called for at
time when the old heresy of State rights is so
vehemently asserting itself. The trainers of
the platform do we'll in once more and au-
thoritatively calling the attention of the people
to the results already gained by war, by
constitutional amendment and by other
legislation and to the necessity of securing
them hnVNnd hanrar Of p.ol ra 4
this an executive and legislature in full
sympathy with the new condition of things is
lmperatively necessary. Upon the great
question of the finances the declaration is
clear and ringing, Commercial prosperity,
public morals, and the national credit de-
mand'' the resolution says, "that this prom
Use Ito make provision at the earliest practi-
cable period for the redemption of United
States notes in coin) be fulfilled by continu-
Gus and steady progress to specie payment"
This Enthusiastically means the enforcement of
the resumption act, for the repeal of that act,
unless provision for earlier resumption be
made, would be step backward and not in
the line of continuous and steady pro.
gress;' but the convention wisely does not
debar the party by an explicit committal to
the letter of the act from adopting measures
which will bring about specie payments be-
fore 1879. fsome ''still earlier and better
method presents itself it can be adopted.


On the other questions which command
the attention Of the country the declarations
OF the platform are wise and explicit. The
necessity of administrative reform is acknowl-
edged, public officers are held to rigid re-
sponsbility, the speedy prosecution and pun
ishment of men who betray official trusts is
called for, and the ''invariable rule'' is an
nouncsd that appointments should have
reference to the honesty, fidelity and capacity
OF the appointees, giving to the party in
power those places where harmony and Wig
OF administration require its policy to be rep
resented, but permitting all others to be
filed by persons selected with sole reference
to the efficiency Of the public service" The
protection of American industries is called
for, sectional feeling is deprecated, the ful-
fillment of the pledges made to our soldiers
and sailors is insisted upon, the duty of Con-
gress to extirpate polygamy is set forth, the
rights of adopted citizens are defended, and
The justice of enlarglng the personal and
property rights Of women is recognized. The
plank calling for an amendment to the Cen
stitution forbidding the application of any
public funds or property for the benefit Of
schools or institutions under sectarian con-
troll formulateS theprofound conviction of the
OpODlp that an atarpal diunroa ebouIJ ba do
creed between Church and State, and points
out a danger that is growing more threaten
ing every day.


Lastly, the declaration arraigns the Demo-
cratic party for its sympathy with treason
and its neglect of every duty, and warns
the people of the peril which would come of
restoration of that party to power. The
words OF the severe but just indictment are
hitting conclusion to the document: We
charge the Democratic party with being the
same in character and spirit as when it SYM
pathized with treason, and with making its
control of the House of Representatives the
triumph and opportunity of the nations re-
cent foes; with reasserting and applauding in
the national capitol the sentiments of unre-
pentant rebellion; with sending Union SOL
diers to the rear; with deliberately proposing
to repudiate the plighted faith of the govern
ment; with being equally false and imbecile
upon the overshadowing, the financial ques-
ton; with thwarting the ends of justice by
its partisan mismanagement and obstruction
OF investigation; with proving itself through
the period of its ascendancy in the lower
House of Congress utterly incompetent to
administer the government. We warn the
country against trusting party thus alike
unworthy, recreant and incapable.


The remarks of Mr.. Hurlburt of Illinois
during the debate on the message of the
President regarding the failure of appropria-
ton are good reading. Mr.. Hurlburt placed
the responsibility where it belonged, saying:


The fact remains that here in this seventh
month OF the session, the committee on appro-
prlatlons has not yet even reported to the
House all the appropriation bills. The fact re-
mains that here, with the fiscal year rapidly
closing, no agreement has been reached, or is
HkelV to ha raachn6 hptwaan the HOuSa and