We hold:

PLATFORM.

1. That ours is a Christian, and not a heathen, nation, and that the God of the Christian Scriptures is the author of civil government.

2. That God requires and man needs a Sabbath.

3. That the prohibition of the importation, manufacture, and sale of intoxicating drinks as a beverage is the true policy on the temperance question.

4. The charters of all secret lodges granted by our federal and state legislatures should be withdrawn, and their oaths prohibited by law.

5. That the civil qualities secured to all American citizens by articles 13, 14, and 15 of our amended Constitution should be preserved inviolate.

6. That arbitration of differences with nations is the most direct and sure method of securing and perpetuating a permanent peace.

7. That to cultivate the intellect without improving the morals of men is to make mere adepts and experts; therefore, the Bible should be associated with books of science and literature in all our educational institutions.

8. That land and other monopolies should be discountenanced.

9. That the government should furnish the people with an ample and sound currency and a return to specie payment, as soon as practicable.

10. That the maintenance of the public credit, protection to all loyal citizens, and justice to Indians are essential to the honor and safety of our nation.

11. And, finally, we demand for the American people the abolition of electoral colleges, and a direct vote for President and Vice-President of the United States.

The election occurred on November 7, 1876.

THIRTY-EIGHT STATES VOTED.

*"Scattering" includes the votes of the Anti-Masonic and American Alliance tickets.

+ The electors were chosen by the legislature.

Returning Board's count, Nov. 28, 1876. A majority of 94 to 1197 was claimed for Tilden by the Democrats, and the opinion of the Supreme Court of Florida gave Tilden 94 majority.

§ Returning Board's count. The figures on the face of the returns, when opened by the Board, are claimed to have been: Tilden, 82,326; Hayes, 77,023. Tilden's majority, 5,303.

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Immediately after the election the charge of false returns was made in several states, and Congress, in consequence, passed the act approved January 29, 1877, which provided for the Electoral Commission to decide all disputed returns. The counting of the electoral vote began on February 1, 1877, and continued until a little after four o'clock in the morning of March 2, 1877.

Rutherford B. Hayes was elected President and William A. Wheeler as Vice-President.

During this period Congress was divided politically as follows:

Forty-fifth Congress.

Senate 36 Democrats, 39 Republicans, 1 Independent.. Total, 76 House-156 Democrats, 137 Republicans

293

Forty-sixth Congress.

Senate 43 Democrats, 33 Republicans.

Total, 76

House-150 Democrats, 128 Republicans, 14 Nationals, 1

Election of 1880

Democratic National Committee:

Chairman, WM. H. BARNUM, of Connecticut.
Secretary, F. O. PRINCE, of Massachusetts.

This convention was organized so quickly, that balloting began on the second day, when General Hancock was nominated on the second ballot, as follows: