Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-09-17
LET THE PEOPLE CHOOSE
The National Union Platform
Adouted at Baltimore, June 9Th, 1864.

Pesolred, That it is the highest duty of every
American citizen to maintain against all their
mics the integrity OF the Union ana the paramount
limited States and that, laying aside all differ
ences and political opinions, We pledge ourselves
as Union men, animated by common sentiment
and aiming at a common object, to do every thing
In orr power to aid the Government in quelling by
force of arms the rebellion now raging against its
authority, and in bringing to the punishment due
to their crimes the rebels and traitors arrayed
against it.
the Government of the United States not to COM
promise with rebels to offer any terms of peace
exeept such as may be based upon an uncondition-
al surrender of their hostility and return to their
inst allegiance to the Constitution and laws of the
United States and that we call upon the Govern
ment to maintain this position and to prosecute
the war with the utmost possible vgor to the
complete suppression of the rebellion, in full re
ance upon the self-sacriices, the patriotism, the
heroic yalor and the undying devotion of the
American people to their country and its free in
Resolued, That as slavery the cause and now
constitutes the strength OF this rebellion, and as
IL must be always and everywhere hostile to the
PRINCIPLES OF republican government, justice and
the national safety demand its utter and complete
extirpation from the soil o. the republic; and that
we uphold and maintain the acts and proclamations
by which the Government, in it's own defense, has
aimed death blow at the gigantic evil. We are IN
| favor, furthermore, of such an amendment to the
Constitution, to be made by tie people, in confor
nifty with it's provisions, 70 shall terminate and
forever prohibit the existence of slavery within the
m
ResoIued, That the thanks of the American peo-
pie are due to the soldiers and sailors of the army
and navy who have periled their lives in defense
of their country and in vindication of the honor
of the flag; that the nation owes to them some
permanent recognition of their patriotism and
their yalor, and ample aud permanent provision
for those of their survivors who have received dis
abng and honorable wounds in the service OF their
country, and that the memories OF those who have
fallen in its defense shall be held IN grateful and
everlasting remembrance.
Resolred, That we approve and applaud the prac-
teal wisdom, the unselhsh patriotism, and the I'M
swerying fidelity to the Constitution and the prin-
| cipIes of American liberty with which Abraham
Lincoln has discharged, under circumstances OF
UNPARALLELED difficulty, the great duties and
sponkibilities of the Presidential office that we
| approve and endorse, as demanded by the emer-
gency and essential to the preservation of the
ton and within the provisions of the Constitu
ton, the measures and acts which he has adopted
to defend the nation against its open and secret
foes that approve especially the proclamation
| of eman cipation and the employment as Union SOL
diers of men heretofore held in slavery and that
we have full confidence in his determination to
carry these and all other constitutional measures,
essential the salvation of the country, into full
EesoIred rnat We deem essential 70 the gener-
/ al welfare that harmony shonld prevail in our
tiopal councils and we regard as worthy OF pubic
confidence and official trust those only who cor
daily endorse the principles proclaimed in these
| resolutions, d which should characterize the
| administration of the Government. -
| ResoLced, That the Government owes to all men
employ ed in armies, without regard to distinc
Il ton color, the Iuu pEOtecglOn OF laws OF
war and that any violation of thesel laws, or the
usages OF civilized nations in time OF war, by the
| rebels now in arms, should be made the subject of
prompt and full redress.
/ Resolred That the foreign immigration which in
the past has addedso mueh to the wealth, develop
| ment of resources, and increase of power this
nation the asylum OF the oppressed OF all nations,
should be fostered and encouraged by liberal and
| lust policy.
ResoEued, That we are in favor of speedy con-
struction of the railroad TO the Pacific.
Resolved, That the national faith, pledged for the
redemption of the public debt, must be kept invi-
| olate, and that for this purpose recommend
economy and rigid responsibility in the public
penditures, and a vigorous and just system OF tax
alton. That it is tue duty of every loyal State
sustain the credit aud promote the use of the ma
| tional currency.
| ResoIred, That We approve the position taken by
| the Government that the people of the United
States can regard with indifference the at
| tempt of any European Power to overthrow by
force, or supplant by fraud, the institutions OF
any Repu blican Government the Western Con-
tinent, and that they will view with extreme jea-
| ousy, menacing to the peace and independence
of this country, the efforts OF any such power
| to obtain new footholds for monarchical govern
ments, sustained by foreign military force, near
proximity to the United States.