Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-06-13
rhe Radical Republican Platform

The Radical Republican Platform.
We suppose that the platform adopted at the
Baltimore Convention has been read and digesied
By pretty much every one IN the country by this
time. IL Is queer document ia some respects.
and before making up our minds definitely a. to
what il means. We desire 70 submit 10 the Radi
cal Republican press some questions. by way OF
afFording them an opportunity 70 explain their
position The main question i, whether they
meant their platform TO be ironcal and witty, or
whether they really believe that the people can
be induced O. accept il a sincere expression Of
opinion. and an endorsement of Abraham Lin.
coin.
Ii is the best thing they have to offer to the
country. They propose 10 vs. 20 take the same
man and the same measure of ability. for four
wears 20 come. that we have had tor three years
past But the peculiar character OF the resolu-
tons leaves a sensible man wholly uncertain what
the Baltimoreans really mean in nominating
Abraham Lincoln and adopting such platform.
Let US examine it. resolution by resolution:
l. ResoIUed, That j, l. the highest duty of
every American citizen to maintain against all
their enemies the integrity of the Union and the
paramount authority OF the Constitution and laws
OF the United States. and. laying aside all differ
ences and political opinions, We pledge ourselves
: u
and aiming at a common object. 10 do everything
in our power to aid the Government in quellng
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 arraved
against il.
This is either supremey ridiculous or irresisti-
bly funny. Why, there has scarcely been day
when the Republican orators have not secuted
the Constitution. One Of these leaders, on the
floor of the United States Senate, declared that
any man traitor who appealed TO the Con-
stitution Mr. Lincoln is the bead and front of
constitutional violations. He has made mock
cry of the whole instrument. he has annulled
the provisions reserving power TO States, has
trampled on public and private rights which the
founders of the Constitution fought TO preserve,
and for three years the country has rung with the
radical doctrine that military necessity was para
mount TO the Constitution and laws What, in
the name of common sense do these Baltimore
men mean by resolving that il is the highest duty
of Abraham Lincoln and every other citizen
to maintain the paramount authority of the Con
stitution and lawsg Is it irony, or WHAT
>. That we approve the determination of the
Government of the United States not to compro-
mise with rebels or % offer any terms of peace
except such as NAV be based upon an "uncon-
ditional surrender" of their hostility and a
return to their just allegiance to the Constitution
and laws of the United States; and that we call
upon the Government to maintain this position,
and to prosecute the war with the utmost possible
vigor TO the complete suppression of the rebellion
in full reliance upon the self sacrifices, the pat
riotism. the heroic vaor and the undying devo-
ton of the American people to their country and
| it, free institutions. (Appause)
Why, the Administration is compromising
with the rebels every day. Exchanges of prs-
| oners, placing privateersmen, who burned and
destroyed American ships on the footing of pris-
oners of war. recognizing the rebels as belliger
ents by flags OF truce, &c. the very doctrine of
| retaliation recently enuncated by Mr. Lincoln,
all are compromises with the rebels. Govern
ments cannot refuse 10 compromise. The am
nesty proclamation OF Mr. Lincoln. however, is
most clearly hit at in this second resolution. The
attempt at compromise mus, be satrized by
this. Ii could hardly have been meant for any
thing else.
3. That as slavery was the cause. and now
constitutes the strength of the rebellion and
as il must be always and everywhere hostile to the
principles of republican government, justice
and the national safety demand its utter and
complete extinction from the soil of the republic
Applause. And that we uphold aud maintain the
acts and prOcamatiOns by which the government,
in its own defense, has aimed "A death blow at this
gigantic evil We are in favor. furthermore of such
an amendment TO the Constitution. to be made by
the people in conformity with its provisions, as
shall terminate and forever prohibit the exist
ence of slavery within the limits and jurisdiction
OF the United States.
The Fremonters deny its truth in toto and say
that Mr. Lincoln is not up to the mark On the
whole. however, he may be considered good
abolitionist for a new convert.
T. That the thanks of the American people
are due the soldiers and sailors of the army
and navy (applause.) who have periled their
lives in defence Of their country. and in vim
dication of the honor of the flag; that
the nation owes TO them some permanent
recognition of their patriotism and vaor. and
ample and permanent provision for those of their
survivors who have received disabling and hon
orable wounds in the service of their country.
aud that the memories of those who have fallen
in its defence shall be held in grateful and ever
lasting remembrance. Loud applause.
That il capital Mcclellan resolution. but il
il severe on Mr. Lincoln, who has dismissed
brave and gallant officers who have saved the
capitol and the nation from destruction when his
errors had imperied the safety of both. Think
of that brave New Hampshire man, dismissed in
disgrace for distributing Democratic tickets al
the election Is that the permanent recogni
ton" to which the Batimoreans reser2
;. That we approve aud applaud the prac
teal wisdom. the unsetsh patriotism. aud
answering fidelity to the Constitution and prn-
ciples of American liberty with which Abraham
Lincoln has discharged. under circumstances OF
unusual. of unparalleled difficulty. the great du
ties and responsibilities of the presidential Office
that we applaud and indorse as demanded by the
emergency and essential to the preservation of
the nation, and within the Constitution, the meas
ures and acts which he has adopted to defend the
nation against its open and secret foes: that we
approve especially the proclamation of enamel
patton aud the employment as Union soldiers of
men heretofore held in slavery (applause:) and
that We have full confidence in his determine
ton to carry these and all other constitutional
measures essential 10 the salvation of the coun-
try, into full and complete effect
That is what an Englishmsu would call Jolly
Unswerying fidelity To the Constitution What
under the sun. then, do Mr. Lincoln and his sup
porters mean 6y the everlasting din about mill
ttry necessity overriding Constitution No one
TO deny that he has violated the Constitu-
tiong We have not seen a Republican newspaper
IN the country that has not admitted and justified
the fact. The whole labor of the party has been
10 prove that the President, for the sake of the
life of the nation. might consider the Constitu-
ton piece OF worthless parchment. And now
they twadde about fidelity. This would be CON-
cal il il were not tragicsl
3. That we deem il essential to the general
tional councils. and regard worthy of public
confidence aud official trust those only who cor
daily endorse the principles proclaimed in these
! Il. 4 II.