American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-10-19
VOLUME |.
THE PLATFORMS.
Baltimore,


The National Convention which assem-
bled at Baltimore on the 7th of last June,
and there nominated ABRAHAM LIN
coin for recollection as President, with
ANDREW JOHNSON as Vice-Presi-
dent, adopted and presented to the Amer
lean People the following
PLATFORM.
Resot5e9, That it is the highest duty
of every American citizen to maintain
against all their enemies the integrity OF
the Union. and the paramount authority
of the Constitution and laws of the Uni
tel States, and that, laying aside all diff
ferences of political opinion, we pledge
ourselves as Union men, animated by
common sentiment, and aiming at COM
mon object, to do everything in our power
to aid the Government in quelling by force
of arms the rebellion now raging against
its authority, and in bringing to the pun
ishment due to their crimes therebcIs and
traitors arrayed against it.
Resoset, That we approve the deter
mination of the Government Of the Uni
ted States not to compromise with rebels,
nor to offer any terms of peace except
such as may be based upon an uncondi-
tional surrender" of their hostility and
return to their just allegiance to Che Con
stitution and laws of the United States,
aud that we call upon the Government to
maintain this position and toprosecute the
war with the utmost possible yigor to the
complete suppression of the Rebellion, IN
full reliance upon the solfsacrifce, the
patriotism, the heroic valor, and the un-
dying devotion of the American people
TO their country and its free institutions.
Resolcc,2, That, as Slavery was the
cause, and now constitutes the strength, of
this rebellion, and as it must be always
and everywhere hostile to the principles
of republican government, justice and the
national safety demand its utter and COM
plete extirpation from the soil of the re-
public; and that we uphold and maintain
the acts and proclamations by which the
Government, in its own defense, has aim
cd death-blow at this gigantic evil. We
are in favor, furthermore, of such an
amendment to the Constitution, tobe made
by the people in conformity with its pro
visions. as shall terminate and forever pro
hibit the existence of Slavery within the
limits of the jurisdiction of the United
States.
Iecs07ce1, That the thanksof the Amer
lean People are due to the soldiers and
sailors of the Army and Navy, who have
periled their lives in defense Of their coun-
try, and in vndication of the honor Of
the flag; that The nation owes to them
some permanent recognition of thHr pa
triotism and valor, and ample and porma-
ncnt provision for those Of thersuryivors
who have received disabling and honora-
BILE wounds in the service of the country;
and that the memories Of those who have
fallen in its defense shall be held in CRATE
full and everlasting remembrance,
Resoloed, That we approve and applaud
the practical wisdom the unselGsh patri-
otism, and unsworying fidelity to the Con-
stitution and the principles Of American
liberty, with which Abraham Lincoln has
discharged, Rder circumstances of un-
paralleled difficulty, the great duties and
responsibilities of the Presidential Office;
that we approve and indorsc, as demand
ol by the emergency and essential to the
preseryatan Of the nation, and as within
the Constitution, the measures and acts
which he has adopted to defend the ma
ton against its open and secret foes that
we approve especially the proclamation of
Emancipation and the employment as I'm
ion soldiers of men heretofore held in Sla-
very; and that VIC have full confidence in
his determination to carry these and all
otber constitutional measures essential to
the salvation of the country into full and
complete effect.
Resolocd, That we deem it essential to
the general welfare that harmony should
prevail in the National councils, and we
regard as worthy of public confidence and
official trust those only who cordially in
dorse the principles proclaimed IN these
resolutions, and which should character
ize the administration of the Government.
Resotped, That the Government owes
to all men employed in its armies, without
regaad to distinction of color the full pro-
lection of the laws of war and that any
violation of these laws or of the usages of
civilized nations in the time of war by
> the Rebels now in arms, should be made
the subject of full and prompt redress
Resolved, That the foreign immigration