Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-08-11
The National Union Platform.
idopted at Baltimore, June 18th, 1864.

,z rba+ II il the highest duty of every
American citizen to maintain against all lhelr enc
- 40 INTEGRITY of the Union and the paramount
tho-itv of the Constitution and laws of the
Tnited States and that, laying aside all differ
ences and political opinions, We pledge ourselves
as Tnion men animated by common sentiment
I'd aiming at common object, to do everything
IN orr mower to aid the Government in Quelliug by
force of arms the rebellion now raging against its
authority and in bEin ging to the punishment due
to their crimes the rebels and traitors arrayed
against 1t.
Resolved, That approve the determination Of
the Government Of the United States not to com
promise with rebels, offer any terms of peace
except such as n ay be based upon uncondition-
al surrender Of their hostility an return to their
lust allegiance to the Consti ution and laws of the
United States, and that call upon the Govern
ment to maintain this position and to prosecute
the war with the utmost possible Yigor to the
complete suppression of the rebellion, in full rei-
ance upon the selfsacrifces, the patriotism, the
heroic yalor and the undying devotion Of the
American people to their country and its free in
stitutions.
ResoZred 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
prin les of republican government, Justice and
the national safety demand its utter and complete
extirpation from the soil o. the repubic and that
we uphold and main tan the acts and proclamations
by which the Government, in its own defense, has
aim ed death blow at the gigantic evil We are IN
favor, furthermore, of such an amendment TO the
Constitution, to be made by tie people, ID cohIor
nifty with its provisions, as shall terminate ana
forever prohibit the existence OF slavery within the
limits or jurisdiction of the United States
ResoEced, That the thanks Of the American peo-
nile are due the soldiers and sailors OF the army
and navy who have periled their lives in defense
of their country and in vindicatlon OF the honor
of the flag; that the nation owes to them some
permanent recognition OF their PATRIOTISM anu
their yalor, and ample and permanent provision
for those of their survivors who have received DIS
ablng and honorable wounds in the service OF their
country, and that the memories OF those VINO nav e
faen in its defense shall be held in graf eful and
everlasting remembrance
ResoEUed, That we approve and applaud the prac-
tcal wisdom, the unseltsh patro Jlsm, and the I'M
swaryinr fidelity to tie Constitution and the prin-
cpIes of American liberty with which Abraham
Lincoln has discharged, under clrcums tances OF
unparalleled diff Guilty. the great duties and re-
snonsibilities 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 Con slit
ton the meas ures and acts which he has adopted
to defend the nation against its open and secret
foes that we approve especially the procla matlon
of emanc ipation 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 to the salvation of the country, into fuIi
and comp etc effect.
ResOLyed, That we deem 1t essential t o the gener-
al welfare that harmony shonld prevail in our ma
tiona councils, and we regard as worthy OF public
confidence aud official trust those only who cor
daily endorse the principles proclaimed in these
resolutions, a which should characterize the
administration OF the Government
ReS0LUed, That the Government owes to all men
employed in it's armies, without regard 10 diStinc-
ton of color, the full protection OF the laws OF
war and that any violation Of these laws, or the
usages of civilized nations in til of war, by the
rebels now in arms, should be ade the subject of
prompt and full redress.
ReSoIUed, That the foreign immigration which in
the past has added so 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 fostered and encouraged by literal and
just policy.
RcSoIred, That we in faVoc of a ST. uy con-
struction OF the railroad to the Pacific
ReSOlUed, That the national faith yledged 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 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 of the IA
tional currency.
Resolved, That we approve the position taken by
the Government; that the people of the United
States can never regard with Indifference the at
tempt of any European Power to overthrow by
force, or to supplant by fraud, the institutions of
any Repu blcan Government on the Western Con-
tinent, and that they will view with extreme jeal-
ousy, as menacing to the peace and independence
of this our country, the efforts any such power
TO obtain new footholds for monarchical govern
ments, sustained by foreign military force, in
proximity to the United States.