Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-08-04
The National Union Platform
adopted at Baltimore, June 18th, 1864.

psoo7rsd That it is the highest duty of every
American citizen to maintain against all their enc
res the integrity Of the Union and the paramount
authority Of the Constitution and laws Of the
Cntted States and that, laying aside ell differ
ences and political opinions, ne pledge ourselves
a. Union men, animated By a common sentine nt
and aiming at q common object, to do every thin 2
in our power to aid the Government in Quelling By
force Of arms the rebellion now raging against its
authority, and in brin ging to the punishment due
to their crimes the rebels and traitors arrayed
against it.
Resolued, That We approve the determination OF
the Government of the United States not to com
promise with rebels, to Offer any terms Of peace
except such as may be based upon an uncondItion-
al surrender of their hostility and return to their
United States, and that call upon the Govern
nsnt to maineain this position and to prosecute
the with the utmost possible Vgor to the
complete sup preston of the rebellion in full reli-
ance upon the selfsacrfces, the patriotism, the
heroi yalor and the undying devotion OF the
Ameri an people to their country and its free In-
situations.
Resolved, That as slavery the cause and now
constitutes the strength of this rebellion, and as
Unjust be always and everywhere hostile to the
principles of republican government, justice and
the national safety demand its utter and complete
extirp alton from the soil o. the republic; aud that
we uphold and maintain the acts and proclamation
by which the Government, in Its own defense, has
aim ed death blow at the gigantic evil { are IN
favor, furthermore, OF such an amendment TO the
Constitution, to be made by tie people, IN confor
nifty with its provisions, as shall terminate and
forever prohibit the existence of slavery within the
limits or jurisdiction of the United States.
ReSolred, That the thanks of the American peo-
pie are due the soldiers and sailors OF the army
aud navy who have periled their lives in defense
of their country and in vindication OF the honor
of the flag: that the nation owes to them some
permanent recognition of their PATRIOTISM ana
their valor, and ample and permanent provision
for those of their survivors who have received dis
abing and honorable wounds in the -erVlce OF their
country, and that the memories OF those who have
fallen in its defense shall be held in grateful and
everlasting remembrance.
Resoyved, That we approve and applaud the prac-
teal wisdom, the unseltish patriotism, and the
swer7ing fidelity to the Constitution and the prin
cpes of American liberty with which Abraham
Lincoln has discharged, under circumstances o.
unparalleled difficulty, the great duties end re
sponsibilities of the Presidential Office; that ",
approve and endorse, demanded by the emer
gency and essential to the preservation Of the "a
ton, and within the provisions OF the Constitu
ton, the measures and acts which he las adOp ed
to defend the nation against its open and secret
foes; that approve especially the procl lmatioI
of eman Clip alton and the employment as Union sot
diers oil men heretofore held in slavery and that
have full confidence in his determination tC
carry these and all other constitutional measures
essential to the salvation OF the country into full
and complete effect.
ResoIved, That We deem 1T essential o the gener
al welfare that harmony shonld prevail i'll our ma
tiona councils, and we regard as worthy OF public
confidence and official trust those only who cor
daily endorse the principles proclaimed in these
resolutions, which should characterize the
administration of the Government.
ReSoiued, 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 o
war, and that any violation of these laws, or the
usages of civilized nations in time Of war, by the
rebels III arms, should be made the subject O
prompt and full redress.
ReS0iced, That the foreign immigration which il
the past has added so oh 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 teral and
just policy.
ResoIred, That we are in favor OF a speedy con
struction of the railroad to the Pacific
ReSOtUed, That the national faith, pledged for tn,
redemption of the public debt, must be kept inyi
olate, and that for this purpose We recommen
economy and rigid responsibility in the pa bic ex
penditures, and vigorous and just system of tax
alton. That it is the duty of every loyal State t
sustain the credit and promote the use of the na
tional currency.
ReSotCed, That We approve the position taken h.
the Government; that the people of the Unite,
States can never regard with indifference the at
tempt of any European Power to overthrow b
force, or to supplant by fraud, the institutions
any Republican Government the Western Con
tlnent, and that they will view with extreme jea
ousy, as menacing to the peace and independence
OF this our country, the efforts o. any such powe
to obtain new footholds for monarchicaI govern
ments, sustained by foreign military force, in nea
proximity to the United States