Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-09-01
The National Union Platform
Adopted at Baltimore, June 1th, 1851.

EcsoiUtd That il is the highest duty of every
American citizen to maintain against ali THEN eae
mics the integrity OF the Union and tn paramount
authority of the Constitution and laws of the
United States and that, layirc aside all 4 for
ences and political opinions, We pledge ours Ives
as Union men, animated by e common eminent
and aiming at common object, TO do ever rhire
in power TO aid the Government in aueIiiDc bv
force Of arms the rebellion now raging against IT'S
authority, and in bin cling to the punishment due
20 their crimes the rebels and traitors ar-ayed
against il.
Resolred, That We approve .he,determiuatiop Of
the Government of the United States not to com
promise with rebels, or TO offer any terms of peace
except such as may be based upon an uncondition-
al surrender Oh their hostility return to their
Just 20 the Constit 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 vigor TO the
complete suppression of the rebellion in full reI
ance upon the self-sacrifces, the patTiotisnn fba
heroic yalor and the undyipC devotion IF The
American people to their country and its free ia
situations.
ReSolced, That as slavery was the cause am, oos
constitutes the strength OF this rebeIIion and ~
it must be always and everywhere hos,ile tn III
PRINCIPLES OF republican government, Justice and
the national safety demand its utter and conpIete
extrpatlon from the soil the republic: aud tina
We uphol aud maintain the acts and procIamatiops
py "hlch 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 the people, in coufor-
mlf5 with its provisions, as shall terminate and
limits or jurisdiction of the United States
ReSoLced, That the thanks of the American peo-
pie lie due to the soldiers and sailors OF the army
and navy who have periIed their lives in defeps g
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
ther valor, and ample and permanent provision
Tor those of their survivors who have received dis
ablng and honorable wounds in the service OF their
country, and that the mem cries of those who have
fallen in its defense shall be held in grateful and
everlasting remembrance.
ReSotUed, That We approve and applaud the prac-
teal wisdom, the selfish patriotism, and the I'M
swerving fidelity to the Constitution and the prn-
ciples Of American liberty with which Abraham
Lincoln has discharged, under circumstances OF
unparalleled difficulty, the great duties and re-
probabilities 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 within the provisions of the Constitu
ton, the measures and acts which he has adopted
to defend the nation against its open and secret
Toes; that we approve especially the proclamation
of eman Clip alton and the employment as Union sol
ders OF men heretofore held in slavery and that
We have full confidence in his determin alton to
carry these and all other constitu tional measures
essential to the salvation of the country into full
and complete effect.
ResotUed, That We deem 1T essential to the gener-
al welfare that harmony shonld prevail in our ma
tional councils, and we regard worthy OF public
confidence and official trust those only who cor
daily endorse the prL ciples proclaimed in these
resol buttons, d which should characterize the
administration of the Government.
ReSOtred, That the Government owes to all men
employed in It's armies without regard TO 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 time of war, by the
rebels low in arms, should be made the subject of
prompt and full redress.
Resolved, That The foreign immigration which in
the past has addedsU much to the wealth. develop
ment of resources, and increase of power to this
nation, the asylum of the oppressed of all atoms
should be tostered and en- outraged by literal and
lust policy.
ReSotUed, That we are in favor of a speedy con-
struction Of the railroad to the Pacific.
keSotUed, That the national faith pledged for the
redemption of the public debt, must be kept invi-
oate, and that for this purpose we 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 to
sustain the credit and promote the use OF the ma
tional currency,
RcSOtCed, That We approve 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 institute of
any Republican Government The Western Con-
tineDt, and that they will view with extreme ieal
ouSy, menacing to the peace and independence
of tins country, the efforts OF any such power
to obtain footholds for monarchical govern
ments, sustained by foreign military force in near
proximity to the United States.