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

Resolved That it is the highest duty of every
American citizen to maintain against all their enc
mics the integrity of the Union and the paramount
authority of the Constitution and laws of the
Unit cd States and that laying aside all differ
en- ces and political opinions, pledge ourselves
Union men, animated by common sentiment
and aiming at a common object, to do every thin Q
in our power to aid the Government in quelling by
force of arms the rebellion now raging against its
au hority, in brin cling to the punishment
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
I except such may be based upon uncondltion-
al surrender of their hostility and return to their
just aegian to the Consti utIon and laws of the
United States. and that we call upon the Govern
ment to maintain this position and to prosecute
the with the utmost possible Vigor to the
mplete suppression of the rebellion, in full reli
ance upon THE self-sacrfces, the patriotism, the
heroic yalor and the undying devotion of the
American people to their country and its free in
situations.
ReSo1ued, That slavery the cause and low
constitut the strength OF this rebellion, and as
it must be always and everywhere hostile to the
prin ciples of republican government, justice and
the national safety demand its utter and complete
eXtirp alton from the soil the republic; and that
we uphold and maintain the acts and procamatons
by which the Government, in its own defense, has
aimed death blow at the gigantic evil. We are IN
favor Furthermore, of such amendme nt to the
Constitution, be made by tie people, in onfor-
nifty with its provisions, shall terminate and
forever prohibit the existence of slavery within the
|
ReSolUed, That the thanks of the American peo-
pie due to the soldiers and sailors Of the army
aud navy who have periled their lives in defense
of their country and In yindication of the honor
of the flag; that the nation to them some
| permanent recognition of their patriotism and
their valor, and ample and permanent provision
for those of therSurviyors who have received dis
aiding and honorable wounSsin 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.
Resolved, That approve and applaud the prac-
teal wisdom, the selfish patro tism, and the
swerving fidelity to the Constitution and the prin-
ciples of American liberty with which Abraham
Lincoln has discharged, under circumstances OF
unparalleled ficulty, the great duties and re-
sponkibities of the Presidential office that We
approve and endorse, 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 emancipation and the employment 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 ures,
essential to the salvation Of the country into full
| and complete effect.
Resolved That deem it essen tial to the gener-
al welfare that harmony shonld prevail in our ma
tional councils and We regard worthy of pubic
| confidence and official trust those only who cor
| daily endorse the principles proclaimed in these
resolutions, which should characterize the
administration of the Government.
Resolved, That the Government owes to all Iaen
1
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 time war, by the
rebels now in arms, should be made the subject of
| prompt and full redress.
| Resolved That the foreign immigration which in
the past has addedso much to the wealth, develop
ment OF resources, and increase of power to this
nation, the asylum of the oppressed all ations
should be fostered and encouraged by literal and
! just policy.
| ResoLred, That we are in favor of a speedy con-
struction of the railroad to the Pacific.
ReSotUed That the national faith, pledged for the
redemption OF the public debt, must be kept inv-
olate, and that fcr this purpose We recommend
economy and rigid respons ibiity in the pu bic ex-
penditures. and vigorous and just system of tax
alton. That it is the duty of every loyal State to
sustain the credit and promote the use OF the ma
tonal currency.
ResolUed, 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, supplant by fraud, the nstit buttons OF
any Rspu blicau Government on the Western Con-
tinent, and that they will view with extreme jea-
ousy, as menacing to the peace and Independence
of this country, the efforts OF any such power
to obtain ew footholds for monarchcal govern
ments sustained by foreign military force, in near
proximity to the United States.