Mr. Booth declined the nomination for VicePresident, and Hon. Samuel F. Cary, of Ohio, has been substituted for him by the National Executive Council of that party.

Prohibition National Convention.

This body met at Cleveland, Ohio, on the 17th of May, and nominated Rev. Green Clay Smith, of Kentucky, for President, and G. T. Stewart, of Ohio, for Vice-President.

The Platform adopted is as follows:

The Prohibition Reform party of the United States, organized in the name of the people, to revive, enforce and perpetuate in the Government the doctrines of the Declaration of Independence, submit in this Centennial year of the Republic for the suffrages of all good citizens the following platform of national reforms and measures:

First—The legal prohibition in the District of Columbia, the Territories, and in every other place subject to the laws of Congress, of the importation, exportation, manufacture and traffic of all alcoholic beverages, as high crimes against society; an amendment of the national Constitution to render these prohibitory measures universal and permanent; and the adoption of treaty stipulations with foreign powers to prevent the importation and exportation of all alcoholic beverages.

Second—The abolition of class legislation and of special privileges in the Government, and the adoption of equal suffrage and eligibility to office without distinction of race, religious creed, property or sex.

Third—The appropriation of the public lands in limited quantities to actual settlers only; the reduction of the rates of inland and ocean postage; of telegraphic communication; of railroad and water transportation and travel to the lowest practical point by force of laws, wisely and justly framed, with reference not only to the interests of capital employed, but to the higher claims of the general good.

Fourth—The suppression, by laws, of lotteries and gambling in gold, stocks, produce and every form of money and property, and the penal inhibition of the use of the public mails for advertising schemes of gambling and lotteries.

Fifth—The abolition of those foul enormities, polygamy and the social evil, and the protection of purity, peace and happiness of homes by ample and efficient legislation.

Sixth—The national observance of the Christian Sabbath, established by laws prohibiting ordinary labor and business in alL departments of 15

public service and private employments, (works of necessity, charity and religion excepted,) on that day.

Seventh—The establishment by mandatory provisions in National and State constitutions, and by all necessary legislation, of a system of free public schools for the universal and forced education of all the youth of the land.

Eighth—The free use of the Bible, not as a ground of religious creeds, but as a text-book of purest morality, the best liberty and the noblest literature, in our public schools, that our children, may grow up in its light and that its spirit and principles may pervade our nation.

Ninth—The separation of the Government in all its departments and institution, including the public schools and all funds for their maintenance, from the control of every religious sect or other association, and the protection alike of all sects by equal laws, with entire freedom of religious faith and worship.

Tenth—The introduction into all treaties hereafter negotiated with foreign governments, of a provision for the amicable settlement of international difficulties by arbitration.

Eleventh—The abolition of all barbarous modes and instruments of punishment. The recognition of the laws of God and the claims of humanity in the discipline of jails and prisons, and of that higher and wiser civilization worthy of our age and nation, which regards the reform of criminals as a means for the prevention of crime.

Twelfth—The abolition of executive and legislative patronage, and the election of President, Vice-President, United States Senators, and of all civil officers, so far as practicable, by the direct vote of the people.

Thirteenth—The practice of a friendly and liberal policy to immigrants from all nations, the guaranty to them of ample protection, and of equal rights and privileges.

Fourteenth—The separation of the money of Government from all banking institutions. The National Government only should exercise the high prerogative of issuing paper money, and that should be subject to prompt redemption on demand, in gold and silver, the only equal standards of value recognized by the civilized world.

Fifteenth—The reduction of the salaries of public officers in a just ratio with the decline of wages and market prices, the abolition of sinecures, unnecessary offices and official fees and perquisites; the practice of strict economy in government expenses, and a free and thorough investigation into any and all alleged abuses of public trusts.

1875. NEW YORK.

Republican, Sept. 9, 1875.

"The Republicans of New York, faithful to justice and liberty, to the supremacy of the Constitution, to the national unity and the just rights of the States, make the following declaration of principles:

'"I. The national government should remain in the hands of those who sustain the guaranties of the amended Constitution, and in pursuance of the past action of the Republican party and its good results, the welfare of the country requires a just, generous and forbearing national policy in the southern States, a firm refusal to use military power, except for purposes clearly defined in the Constitution, and the local enforcement of national authority by those only who are in sympathy with such a policy and will heartily support it.

"2. We demand honesty, economy, and efficiency in every branch of the State and National administrations, prompt investigation of all charges of wrong-doing, and summary exposure, prosecution and punishment of wrong-doers. "We therefore heartily commend the action of all officers, whether of the State or National government, in their honest efforts for the correction of public abuses. We pledge to them our constant and faithful support, and we charge every nominee of this convention to co-operate in every honorable way to secure pure government and to bring offenders to justice.

"3. The people should nominate for the legislature only men who are pledged by their known character to provide and sustain measures calculated to rescue and preserve the State from every form of corruption and mal-administration.

"4. The guilty offenders in the management of the canals should be brought to speedy punishment, and the Executive, under the powers already conferred upon him, should suspend all officers who have violated the law.

"5. The Republican party has proved itself from the beginning the party of practical reform and sound economy. In the affairs of this State it has, within the last four years, provided for the payment of $20,000,000 of the public debt, and practically extinguished the general State indebtedness, and by this action has made it certain that the tax for the next year will be reduced about $5,000,000.

"6. Further inflation of the currency, under any pretence whatever, would be a public calamity. The interests of honest industry and the common welfare demands the speediest possible return to specie payments.

"7. The whole subject of taxation ought to be carefully and wisely reviewed, to the end that its burdens should bear equally upon all.

"8. Recognizing as conclusive the President's public declaration that he is not a candidate for renomination, and with the sincerest gratitude

for his patriotic services, we declare our unalterable opposition to the election of any President for a third term.

"9. The free public school is the bulwark of the American republic; we therefore demand the unqualified maintenance of the public school system, and its support by equal taxation. We are opposed to all sectarian appropriations; and we denounce as a crime against liberty and republican institutions any project for a sectarian division or perversion of the school fund of the State.

"10. The national administration, by its steadfast fidelity to the principles of commercial honor, by its opposition to unsound financial projects, by its calm avoidance of collisions with foreign powers, by its reliance on justice and reason, rather than force, in the settlement of disputes, by its firm vindication of the national dignity and authority, by rigidly executing the laws, correcting abuses, punishing offenders and enforc* ing retrenchment without boastful, ostentatious pretension, deserves the gratitude of the American people, and adds lustre to the services in the war of the distinguished soldier and patriot who stands at its head."

Democratic, September 16, 1875.

The Democratic party of New York renew their pledge of fidelity to the principles adopted and affirmed unanimously by the delegates representing the Democrats of all the United States together assembled in their latest National Convention, and, since reapproved and indorsed by Democratic majorities in fifteen States, comprising more than half the total population of the Union.

[From the National Democratic Platform, Baltimore, July10, 1872.]

Seventh—The public credit must be sacredly maintained, and we denounce repudiation in every form and guise.

Eighth—A speedy return to specie payment is demanded alike by the highest considerations of commercial morality and honest government.

To these authentic declarations of Democratic principle and policy the time gives proof. The present depression of business is caused by the reaction from the unhealthy stimulus of an excessive, depreciated and irredeemable currency; by enormous and ill-adjusted municipal, state and federal taxation, and by extravagance, waste and peculation in the administration of public affairs. The remedy for this evil is not to be found in the renewal of any of the causes. In face of the fact that the existing volume of currency is greater than can be absorbed by business; in face of the fact that the recent fall of prices has followed repeated inflations, any attempt to increase the currency would be worse than ineffectual to revive prosperity, for it would interrupt the healing processes of industry; it would be worse than futile to restore confidence, for it would create distrust and new -uncertainties in business, paralyze the beginnings of enterprise, rob labor of its too scanty employment, and while stifling the progress of legislative reforms, would inflict lasting dishonor upon the credit, the intelligence and the character of the country.

[From the New York Democratic Platform,
Syracuse', September 16, .1874..]
First—Gold and silver the only legal tender:
no currency inconvertible with coin.

Second—Steady steps toward Specie Payments: no step backward.

Third—Honest payment of the public debt in coin: sacred preservation of the public faith.

Fourth—Revenue reform: Federal taxation for revenue only : no government partnership with protected monopolies.

Mfth—Home Rule: to limit and localize most jealously the few powers intrusted to public servants—municipal, state and federal: no centralization.

Sixth—Equal and exact justice to all men: no partial legislation; no partial taxation. Seventh—A free press: no gag laws. Fighth—Free men: a uniform excise law; no sumptuary laws.

Ninth—Official accountability enforced by better civil and criminal remedies: no private use of public funds by public officers.

Tenth—Corporations chartered by the State always supervisable by the State in the interest of the people.

Eleventh—The party in power responsible for all legislation while in power.

Twelfth—The Presidency a public trust, not a private perquisite: no third term.

Thirteenth—Economy in the public expense, that labor m«iy be lightly burdened.

The Democrats of New York, in convention assembled, pledge themselves, their nominees and their representatives in Senate and Assembly, to follow where an honest and fearless chief magistrate has dared to lead in reforming the administration of our great canals, so long* despoiled in their construction, maintenance, repairs and revenues: to carry on with unwavering purpose and fidelity wise measures to increase the efficiency of all departments of the public works and service, and to persist in reducing our State tax, in which the burdens have already been lightened by the retrenchments and reforms of a single year to the amount of nearly $3,000,000! And upon this paramount, immediate and practical issue of administrative reform we cordially invite the co-operation of every true Democrat, every Liberal Republican, and all our fellow-citizens of whatever name who are willing in the coming State elections to unite with us in supporting reform candidates upon a reform platform.

OHIO.
Republican, June 2, 1875.

The Republicans of Ohio in Convention assembled, reaffirming the cardinal principles of their organization, which have become received maxims of policy, State and National, declare on specific points the series of sentiments following:

1. The States are one as a Nation, and all citizens are equal under the laws, and entitled to their fullest protection.

2. That a policy of finance should be steadily pursued which, without unnecessary shock to business or trade, will ultimately equalize the purchasing capacity of the coin and paper dollar.

3. We are in favor of a tariff for revenue, with incidental protection to American industry.

4. We stand by free education, our public school system, the taxation of all for its support, and no division of the school fund.

5. Under our Republican system of Government, there should be no connection direct or indirect, between Church and State, and we oppose all legislation in the interest of any particular sect. Upon this subject we should not fail to profit by the experience of foreign Governments, where the efforts of the Church to control the State constitute an evil of great magnitude, and endangers the power and prosperity of the people.

6. We demand such a revision of the patent laws as will relieve industry from the oppression of monopolies in administration.

7. A grateful people can never cease to remember the services of our soldiers and sailors, and it is due to them that liberality and generosity should obtain in the adjustment of pay and bounties.

8. That we demand that the public domain shall be scrupulously reserved for occupancy by actual settlers.

9. The determination of the Government to collect the revenue and prevent and punish frauds has our unqualified approval.

10. That the power of municipal corporations to create debts should be restricted, and local and other expenditures should be so reduced as to diminish taxation.

11. The observance of Washington's example in retiring at the close of a second Presidential term will be in the future, as it has been in the past, regarded as a fundamental rule in the unwritten law of the Republic.

12. The distinguished success of his administration, which to the fame of the patriot and soldier has added that of the capable and judicious statesman, entitles President Grant to the gratitude of his countrymen.

Democratic, June 17, 1875.

The Democratic party of Ohio, in State Convention assembled, proclaim the following propositions of political faith and action:

1. A sacred adherence to the principles of government declared and put in practical operation by the fathers of the Republic.

2. Opposition to aggressions by either department of the Government upon the functions of the other, and to the exercise by Federal authorities of any of the powers reserved by the Constitution to the States respectively, or to the people.

3. The protection of the Government to all citizens, without regard to race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

4. The President's services should be limited to one term, at a salary of $25,000 a year.

5. Retrenchment and reform in every department of the Government—Federal, State and local.

6. No grants of land or money by the Government, or use of its credit to railroad, steamship or other companies.

7. The preservation of the remnant of the public lands for the benefit of the citizens of the United States and foreign emigrants who have declared their intention to become such, who will occupy and cultivate the same.

8. That the contraction of the currency heretofore made by the Republican party, and the further contraction proposed by it, with a view to the forced resumption to specie payment, has already brought disaster to the business of the country, and threatens general bankruptcy. We demand that this policy be abandoned and that the volume of currency be made and kept equal to the wants of trade, leaving the restoration of legal-tenders to par, gold, to be brought about by promoting the industries of the people and not by destroying them.

9. That the policy already initiated by the Republican party of abolishing legal-tenders and giving National banks the power to furnish all the currency will increase the power of an already dangerous monopoly and the enormous burdens now oppressing the people without any corresponding advantage, and that we oppose the policy, and demand that all the National bank circulation be promptly and permanently retired, and legal tenders be issued in their place.

10. That the public interest demands the Government should cease to discredit its own currency, and should make its legal tenders receivable for all public dues, except where respect for the obligations of contracts requires payment in coin; and that we favor the payment of at least one-half of the customs in legal tenders.

n. The extinction of the present National banks, and the establishment in their stead of a system of free banks of discount and deposit, unr der such regulations as the States may respectively prescribe; and no paper currency except such as may be issued directly by and upon the faith of the General Government.

12. A tariff for the sole purpose of revenue.

13. We favor the complete separation of Church and State; religious independence and absolute freedom of opinion; equal and exact justice to all religious societies, and purely secular education at the expense of taxpayers, without division among or control by any sect, directly or indirectly, of any portion of the Public School Fund. In view of the admirable provisions of our State Constitution upon these subjects, which are due to the energy and wisdom of the Democratic party, we denounce the Republican platform as an insult to the intelligence of the people of Ohio, and a base appeal to sectarian prejudices.

14. That we are opposed to the passage of what are called Sumptuary Laws, or any interference with social habits or customs not in themselves criminal; and we reprobate any espionage by one class of citizens upon another under any pretense whatever. With this declaration of principles and policy, we arraign the leaders of the Republican party for their extravagant expenditure and profligate waste of the people's

money; for their oppressive, unjust, and defective system of finance and taxation; for their continued tyranny and cruelty to the Southern States of the Union; for squandering the public lands; for the continuance of incompetent and corrupt men in office at home and abroad; and for their general mismanagement of the Government; and we cordially invite all men, without regard to past party associations, to cooperate with us in expelling them from office, and in securing such an administration of public affairs as characterized the purer and better days of the Republic.

PENNSYLVANIA.

Republican, May 26, 1875.

The Republicans of* Pennsylvania, affirming their continued adhesion to the party whose perpetuation is rendered necessary by the causes which called it into existence, make declaration of the fundamental principles of their political faith as follows:

1.—The equality of all men before the law, equal justice to all, and special favors to none.

2.—The harmony of the National and State governments; both are parts of one system, alike necessary for the common prosperity, peace and security.

3.—The unity of the nation; we are one people; the Constitution of the United States forms a government, not a league.

4.—A faithful execution of the laws, an economical administration of the government, integrity in office, honesty in all branches of the civil service, and a rigid accountability of public officers.

5.—Protection to home industry, and a home market for home products. 9

6.—The right of the laborer to protection and encouragement, and the promotion of harmony between labor and capital.

7.—Cheap transportation, and the advancement of closer intercourse between all parts of the country.

8.—Free banking, a safe and uniform national currency adjusted to the growing wants of the business interests of the country, and a steady reduction of the national debt.

9.—The public domain, being the heritage of the people, should be preserved for actual settlers exclusively.

IO,—The equalization of the bounties of soldiers, and a speedy settlement of all just claims arising out of the late war.

11.—Honest men in office, men with brains enough to know dishonesty when they see it, and courage enough to fight it when they find it.

Resolved, That we declare a firm, unqualified adherence to the unwritten law of the republic, which wisely and under the sanction of the most venerable examples, limits the Presidential service of. any citizen to two terms; and we, the Republicans of Pennsylvania, in recognition of this law, are unalterably opposed to the election to the Presidency of any person for a third term.*

* See President Grants reply to this resolution, page 154.

229

Democratic, September 8, 1875.

Resolved, I. That we hereby declare our unfaltering devotion to the fundamental principles of democratic government as enunciated by Thomas Jefferson in his first inaugural address, to wit: Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political; the support of the State governments in all their rights ?;s the most competent administration for our domestic concerns, and the surest bulwarks against anti-republican tendencies; the supremacy of the civil over military authority; economy in the public expense, that labor may be lightly burdened; the honest payment of our just debts and the sacred preservation of the public faith; freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of person under the protection of the great writ of habeas corpus, and trial by juries impartially selected.

2. That the widespread depression and suffering which affect every business and employment that is capable of being touched by legislation show beyond a doubt the ignorance, insufficiency, and wickedness of the leaders of the party that has ruled the State and nation for a period of years, and calls for their immediate and permanent removal from the places which they have so long dishonored and disgraced.

3. That the contraction of the money currency and circulating medium heretofore made by the Republican party, and the further contraction proposed by it with a view to the forced resumption of specie payments, has already brought disaster to the business of the country and threatens general bankruptcy. We demand that this policy be abandoned, and that the volume of money be made and kept equal to the wants of trade, leaving the restoration of legal tenders to par in gold to be brought about by promoting the industries of the people, and not by destroying them.

4. That the policy already initiated by the Republican party of abolishing legal tenders and giving the national banks the power to furnish all the currency will increase the power of an already dangerous monopoly and the enormous burden now oppressing the people without compensating advantage, and that all the national bank circulation be promptly and permanently retired and full legal tenders be issued in their place.

5. That the public interest demands that the Government should cease to discredit its own money and should make its legal tenders receivable for all public dues, except where respect for the obligations of contracts requires payment in coin.

6. Demands the extinction of the present national banks, and the establishment in their stead of a system of free banks of discount and deposit, under such regulations as the States respectively may prescribe, and no paper money except such as may be issued directly and upon the faith of the Federal Government, affording practically a currency based on the gold and silver and other property of the whole people of the country.

7. That with this declaration of principles and policy, we arraign the leaders of the Republican party for their extravagant expenditures and profligate waste of the people's money; for their

corruption; for their peculation; for their contempt of constitutional obligations; for their extortionate increase of the salaries of our public officers; for their oppressive, unjust and defective system of taxes, finance and currency; for their continuance of incompetent and corrupt men in office, and for their general mismanagement of both the State and Federal Governments, and we cordially invite the Liberal Republicans and other men, without regard to past party associations, to cooperate with us in expelling them from power, and establishing such an administration of our public affairs as characterized the purer and better days of the Republic.

INDIANA.

Republican, February 22, 1876.

The following is an abstract of the Platform:

First. After recounting the record of the Republican party it declares that they will remain faithful to it.

Second. Denying the right of any State to interfere in the execution of the national laws.

Third. Declaring that the United States is a nation, and not a mere confederation of States.

Fourth. Holding the National and State Governments to be entirely independent of each other within their own proper spheres.

Fifth. Expressing a willingness to restore entirely the amicable relations between the people of the North and South who engaged in the rebellion., and with that view are ready to forgive and grant amnesty to those who sincerely desire it, but not to those who are still unrepentant; and at the same time declaring that the war for the Union was right and rebellion wrong, and that thus it should forever stand in history.

Sixth. That while they have no wish to disfranchise any who fought for the Confederacy, it is a flagrant insult when faithful Union soldiers, who risked their lives for the nation and are honestly discharging the duties of their offices, are removed to make place for those who fought against the country, and it deserves the rebuke and condemnation of the whole country and every loyal soldier.

Seventh. In conducting the civil service, officers shold be selected because of their qualification, integrity and moral character, and the patronage of the government should be so disposed in the matter of faithfulness and economy that it shall not be brought in conflict with the freedom of elections.

Eighth. The equality of all is maintained, that equal justice should be done to all and especial privileges conferred on none.

Ninth. Perfect religious freedom and freedom of conscience is insisted upon: the union of Church and State is opposed, and it is declared ineompatible with American citizenship to pay allegiance to any foreign power, civil or ecclesiastical.

Tenth. The duty of the government is to so regulate its revenue system as to give all needful encouragement to our agricultural, mechanical, mining and manufacturing enterprises, so that harmonious relations may be established between labor and capital and just remuneration secured to both.