Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-10-06
LET THE PEOPLE CHOOSE
The National Union Platform,
Adopted at Baltimore, June 9TH, 1864.


| Rssolped That it is the highest duty of every
American citzen main tain against all tn cir en-
mics b egrity of the Union and the paramount
| au thority of the Constitution and laws of the
United States and that, laying aside all differ
ences and political opinions We pledge ourselves
/ as Union men, animated by a common sentim ent
and aiming at q common object, to do every thin G
| in power to aid the Government in quelling by
force of the rebellion now raging against its
| authority, and in brn gng to the punishment due
| 10 their crimes the rebels and traitors arrayed
| against 1t.
| Rssoloed, That approve the determination of
the Governm ent of the United States not to COM
promise with rebels offer any terms of peace
| except such may be based upon uncon dition-
al surrender of their hostility and a return III cir
just allegiance to the Constitution and laws of the
| United States, and that call upon the Govern
ment to main tain this position and 20 pros ecute
| the with the utmost possible yigor to the
complete suppression OF the rebellion, in full re-
ance upon the self-sacrifces, the patriotism, the
! heroic val6r and the undying devotion Of the
American people to their country and its free in
PesolUed, That as slavery was the cause and now
constitutes the siren 9Th of this rebellion, and
I il must be always and everywhere hostile to the
principles OF republican government, justice and
the national safety demand its utter and complete
extrpation from the soil OF the republic; and that
we uphold and maintain the acts and proclaim atoms
| by which the Government, in its own defense has
aimed death blow at the gigantic evil. We are In
| favor, Furthermore, of such amendment to the
Constitution, to be made by the people. in confor-
nifty with its provisions, shall terminate and
forever prohibit the existence of slavery within the
| limits or JurlSQlctlon or the United States.
| Resolved, That the thanks OF the American peo-
pie are due to the soldiers and sailors of the army
and navy who have periel their lives in defens e
| OF their country and III vindication of the honor
| OF the flag; that the nation to them some
| permanent recognition of their patriotism and
| their yalor, and ample and permanent provision
fer those OF their survivors who have received dis
abng AMI honorable wounds N the service of their
| country, and that the memories of those who have
fallen il its defense shall! be hsd in grateful and
| everlasting remembrance.
| RPSGIVFf. That n he Dv9r-
teal wisdom, the unselfsh patriotism, and the
swerying fidelity to the Constitution and the prn-
| ciples of American liberty with which Abraham
Lincoln has discharged, under circumstances OF
unparalleled diff Guilty, the great duties and re-
| sponsibilities of the Presidential office that We
| approve and endorse, as demanded by the emer-
gency and essential to the preservation of the ma
| ton and as 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 emancipation and the employment as Union sol
ders Of men heretofore held in slavery; and that
| We have full confidence in his determination to
carry these and all other constitutional measures,
essential to the salvation Of the country, into full
| and complete effect.
Resolved That we deem 1t essential to the gener-
| al welfare that harmony shonld prevail in
tional councils, and regard worthy of public
confidence and off cial trust those only who
daily endorse the principles proclaimed in these
| resolutions, a d which should characterize the
| administration of the Government.
ReSOtUtd, That the Government owes to ali men
employed in its armies, without regard to distnc-
ton of color, the full protection OF the laws of
war, and that any violation of theses laws, the
usages of civilized nations in time of war, by the
! rebels in arms, should be made the subject of
prompt and full redress.
Res0LUed, That the foreign immigration which ia
the past has addedso much to the wealth, develop
ment of resources, and increase of power to this
nation, the asylum of the oppressed of all nations
should be tostered and encouraged by liberal and
| lust policy.
| Resoloed, That We are in favor OF 4 speedy con-
I 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 we recommend
economy and rigid respon sibiity in the public ex-
penditures, and vigorous and just system of tax
alton. That it is the duty Of every loyal State
sustain the credit and promote the use of the ma
tiOnal currency.
ReS0Ived, That We a. prove the position taken by
| the Government; that the people of the United
| States never regard with Indifference the at
| tempt of any European Power to overthrow by
force, to supplant by fraud the institutions OF
any Repu blican Government on the Western Con-
tinent, and that they will view with extreme eal-
ousy, as 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 in ear
| proximity to the United States