Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-10-05
THE SOLDIERS PLATFORM.
WHAT THE fBOYS IN BL UE''
THINK OF "MY POLTCY."

The largest convention of Soldiers and
Sailors ever assembled on this continent
met in Pittsburgh, on the 9th ult at the
close Of their deliberations after a careful
consideration of the state Of the country
the following patriotic platform was unani-
mously adopted
BY the soldiers and sailors of the army and
navy of the United States in convention as
sembled be 1t
l. Resolrcd That the action Of the present
Congress in passing the pending Constltu-
tional Amendment is wise prudent and just.
1t clearly defines American citizenship and
guarantees all his rights to every citizen.
1t places on a just and equal basis the right
of representation, making the vote of a man
in one State equally potent with the vote of
another man in any State.
1t righteously excludes from places of hon
or and trust the chief eonspirators and guilt
est rebels whose perjured crimes have drench-
ed the land in fraternal blood.
1t puts into the very frame Of our govern
ment the involability of the national debt,
and the nullity forever Of all obligations con-
tracted in support of the rebellion. APP
plausel
,. Resolred, That it is unfortunate for the
country that these propositions have not
been received in the spirit Of Cancellation,
clemency and fraternal feeling in which they
were offered as they are the mildest terms
ever granted to subdued reacls. App!ausel
g. ReSolUed That the President as an Err
ecutiue officer, has no right to policy as
against the Legislature Department Of the
Government. Applause] That his attempt
to fasten his scheme Of Reconstruction upon
the country IS as dangerous as 1t is 1m1oise.
His acts IN sustaining II hare retarded the
restoration Of peace and unity. They haze
concerted conquered rebels into inlpUdent
claimants to rights lcbich they hare forfeited,
and places l0bich they hare deSecrated. n
eonsnmmated, ii ,gould render the sacrifices
Of the nation useless, the loss Of the liUeS Of
oar buried comrades rain, and the tCdr in
cHicb zoe hare so gIoriousiy tTiumphed 11h0t
his present friends at Chicago, in 1864 de-
clared to be a failure. Applause.
4. ReSoIred, That the rights of The con-
auerer to legislate for the conquered has been
recognized by the public law Of all civilized
nations. By the operation Of that law for
the conservation Of the good Of the whole
country; Congress has the undoubted right to
establish measures for the conduct of the
revolted States, and to all acts of legislation
that are necessary for the complete restora
tion Of the Union.
s. Resolced That lchen the President claims
that, By the aid Of the ATmg and Nary, he
might hare made himself Dictator, he insult
ed ereJy soldier and sailor Ia the Republic.
lie ought distinctly TO understand that the
tried patriots Of this ndtiCH can neUer be used
to orerthro'o ciUiI liberty or popular gorern-
meat (Applause.
G. Re8oiced, That the neutrality laws
should be so amended as TO give the fullest
liberty to the citizen consistent with the
national faith. That the great Union Repub
lican party is pledged to sustain liberty and
equality of rights everywhere. and, therefore,
we tender to all peoples struggling for free
dom our sympathy and cordial cooperation.
[Applause.
I. Resolged, That the Union men of the
South, without distinction of race or color,
are entitled to the gratitude Of every loyal |
soldier and sailor who served his country in |
suppressing the rebellion and that, in their |
present dark hour of trial, when they are |
being persecuted by thousands, solely be- |
cause they are now and have been true to the |
we viii not prove recreant to |
our obligation, but viii stand by and protect, |
with our lives if necessary, those brave men |
who remain true to us when all around are |
false and faithless. Applause
s. Resolred, That the public domain, as
the common property of the nation, ought to |
be sacredly held devoted to the benefit of the !
nations defenders: that Congress ought to |
legislate IN regard to bounties and pensions |
with the most exact and impartial justice to |
all soldiers and sailors. lApplause.
g. ReSoloed That in reorganizing the army |
Justice, to the volunteer officers and soldiers |
demand that faithful and efficient service in |
the field ought to be held equivalent to AZ |
at West Point, [Great applause |
10. ResoIred, That any officer, soldier or
sailor, who left his flag to serve nth our enc
mics, ought never to have place in the army |
or navy of the Union. [Applause.l