Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-10-13
LET THE PEOPLE CHOOSE
The National Union Platform
Adopted at Baltimore, June 18th, 1864.

Pssorred That Il ia the highest duty of eEe cry
American citizen TO maintain against all their enc
mics he integrity Of the Union and the paramount
authority Of the Constitution and laws Of the
United states and that, laying aside ell differ
ences aud political opinions, Ee pledge ourselves
as Union men, animated by common sentiment
and aiming ar a nmon object, to do every thing
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 punishment due
to their crimes the rebels and traitors srGayed
against it.
the Government Of the United States not &C COM
promise with rebels, to offer any terms Of peace
except such as may be based upon an uncondttion-
al surrender of their hostility and TO their
Just allegiance to the Consti; and laws OF the
United States, and that we call upon the Govern
II ent to maintain this position and to prosecute
the ~ar with the utmost possible vigor 20 the
complete suppression of the rebellion in full reli-
ance upon the self-sacrifces the patriotism, the
heroic valor and the undyiDg deyo tion of the
American people to their country aud its free ia
situations.
Resolved, That as slavery the cause and now
constitutes 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
extirpato from the soil OF the republic; and that
we uphold and maintain the acts and procama atoms
by which the Government, in it's own defense, has
aimed death blow at the gigantic evil. We are III
favor, Furthermore, OF such an amendm ent to the
Constitution, to be made by tie people, in confor-
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
and navy who have periled their lives in defense
OF their country and in yindicatioR OF the honor
| OF the flag; that the nation owes to them some
| permanent recognition of their PATRIOTISM and
| their valor, and ample and permanent provision
for those of their survivors who nave received dis
abling 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 remem brance.
Resolved That approve and applaud the prac-
! teal WISDOM the unselfsh PATRIOTISM and the I'm.
swerVing fidelity to the Constitution and the prin-
| cipIes OF American liberty with which Abraham.
| Lincoln has discharged, under circumstances o.
unparalleled diff Guilty, the great duties and re-
sponsibLities 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 it's open and secret
| foes that We approve especially the proclamation
OF emancip atlcn and the emp oyment 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 the salvation OF the country into full
| and complete effect.
Resotued, That deem 1t essential 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, a d which should characterize the
| administration of the Government.
Resolved, That the Government owes to all men
| employ ed in its armies, without regard dstinc-
ton of color, the full protection OF the laws OF
war, and that any violation of hese5 laws, or the
usages of civilized nations in time OF war; by the
rebels in arms, should be made the subject OF
| prompt and full redress.
| ReSoIved, That the foreign immigration which in
the past has added SO much to the wealth. develop
| ment of resources, and increase of power this
nation, the asylum Of the oppressed of all nations,
should be fostered and encouraged by liberal and
| Just policy.
Res0EUed, That in favor of a speedy con-
structiOn of the railroad to the Pacific.
ReSoLred, That the national faith, pledged 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
ation That it is the duty oil every loyal State to
sustain the credit and promote the use OF the ma
| tional currency.
| ReSoLUed, 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 institutions OF
| any Republican Government 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 OF any such power
| to obtain new foothoIds for monarchical govern
ments, sustained BY foreign military force, in near
| proximity TO the United States.