Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 March 1870 — Republican State Platform. [ARTICLE]

Republican State Platform.

Tlit I’uUm Republican party of Indiana, astembted in Coneentssm at Indtnnapi.'iu, an the \'l«d day of February, 1870, makes the /allotting declaration of principles: I. We congratulate the country on the res lorallon oflaw and order ia the. late rebellious States, under the reconstruction measures adopted by the General Governmeiit, and upon tne prevalence of pesce nod return of frslernsl feeling among the people of ail the Suites, under u Constitution securing on equality of politlrul and civil rights to nil citizens, without distinction of race or color. 7, Tbst wc reverence the Constitutlcn of the United Ststcs as the supreme law of the ltnd, snd a wlso embodiment of the principles of free government, and following its teachings we will adopt from time to time such amendments as are necessary more completely to establish justice. Insure domestic tranquility snd secure the Meanings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity; and that we rejoice ft the ratittcatjofl of the Fifteenth Amendment which foicvcr sccuass an equali ty of political rights to all nieu. and we extend to the colored man a helping hand to enable him in the race of life to improve and slevate bis condition. 3. That the national debt created in the defense and preservation of the Union, however -greaLthc burden, must be cheerfully borne, until honorably and honestly extinguished in accordance Willi the letter and spirit of the several laws authorizing the debt; and that ali sttcmptH at repudiation of principal or interest should meet the scorn and denunciation of an honest and patriotic people. 4. 'I hat sc demand in every department of the Government, from the highest to the lowest, the strictest economy in all expenditures, consistent with the requirements of the publie service; the redaction and abolishment of all extravagnnt fees and salaries; the closing of ail ueeless office*, and tire dismissal of their incumbents and all efforts to these ends in Congress, or elsewhere, have our unqualified approval. 5. 1 hat a i eduction of taxation ia demanded, both of utiff and internal taxes, until it reaches the lowest amount consistent with the credit and nereKsitiea of the Government; and that we are in favoj of a tariff for revenue, believing that a proper adjuatment, or duties must necessarily afford all the incidental protection to which any intereat la entitled. 6. That we are in favor of a currency founded on the national credit', as abundant as the trade and commerce of the country demand; and that we disapprove of all laws in reference thereto which establish monopoly or inequality therein. 7. That we are opposed to the donation ol the public land*, or the grant of subsidies in money to railroads and other corporations; and that we demand the reservation of the public domain for the use of actual settlers and educational purposes. 8. That we re affirm that “of all who were faithful in the trials of the late war, there are none entitled to more especial honor than the brave soldiers and seamen who endured the hardships of campaign and cruise, and imperiled their lives in the tervice of their country, and the bounties and pensiona provided by law for those brave defenders of the nation are obligations never to be forgotten, and should he paid without cost to the recipient. The widows and orphans of the gallant dead are the wards of the nation—a sacred legsey bequeathed to the nation's protecting care.’’ 8 That we approve the general course of onr Senators and Republican Representatives in Congress, and exprass onr full and entire confidence that they will act with wisdom and integrity in all that concerns the welfare of the people; and that we tender thanks to Sea ator Morton for his exertions in so shaping the legislation of Congress on the reconstruction of the late rebel States, as to secure the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment. 10. That we endorse the administration of General Grant as President of the United States; accept tho increased collections of revenue, the reduction of expenditures, and payment of a large portion of the public debt as a fulfillment of his promisee of economy, aDd rejoice that the victorious General of the Union armies should, ns a civil officer, receive the last of the rebel States Wits return to the national family. 11. Inasmuch as all Republican governments depend for tlieir stability und perpetuity on the intelligence and virtue ot the people, it I» the right and duty of the State and National authorities to establish, foster and secure the Uighcat moral and intellectual develop, ment of the people. 12. That taxation for county and other local purposes lots become so great as to be oppressive to the people; that our system of county administration needs reform, and we demand oi our representatives in the Legislature such changes in the statutes of the stale as will protect the people from extravagant tax levies by local authorities; and as an aid to this needed reform wc favor a reduction of the fees of county officers to a standard which will furnish a fair and reasonable compensation for the services rendered, and that no officer should be favored with salary, fees or perquisites beyond such fair and reasonable compensation. 13. That the canal stocks, issued under tho legislation of 1846 and 1847, commonly called the "Butler Bill,” were, by the terms of the contract, charged exclusively upou the Wabash and Erie Canal, its revenues and lands; and the faith of the State never having been directly or indirectly pledged for the payment or redemption thereof said canal stocks therefore constitute no part of the outstanding debts or liabilities of the States That the Constitution of this State ought to be amended at the the earliest practicable period, so ns to prohibit the taking effect of any law or acta of the General Assembly proposing to recognize or create any liability of the State for the laid canal stocks, or any part thereof, until such proposition shall have been submitted to a direct vote of the people of the State and approved by them. 14. That we heartily endorse the administration of our State affairs by Governor Baker, and his associate State Officers, and especially congratulate the people that the time is so near when the State debt wiU be entirely liqnid a ted. ~, • .... ,