The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1866-07-05
observation-disclosures.

The resolutions of the Republican State
Conventions, now being held in variou!
States, show that the Union ranks are con
centrating unanimously upon the platform
of impartial suffrage as one of the basis o.
Reconstruction. Should the South delay tt
accept the present offer of Congress by rati
flying the Constitutional amendments pro
posed by them as basis of reconstruction,
until after the congress elected next fall
shall have convened, it is inevitable that
a Congress elected on such platforms as
are now being adopted by the States will
settle the question of reconstruction by re-
organizing those States on the basis of i'm
partial suffrage We recently quoted from
the platform of Iowa, which declares that
the first and highest duty Of our free Gov
eminent is to secure to all its citizens, re
CARELESS of race, religion or color, equality
before the law, equal protection from it,
equal responsibilities to it and to all that
have proved their loyalty proved
by their acts an equal voice in making it.
To the same effect we now quote in full
the platform of the State of Maine
ReSoI0ed, That the Uuion party of Maine
plants itself upon the doctrines of the dec
laration of independence that zoe hold that
aHPmen, rathout distinction Of color or race, are
entitled TO equal c5UI and political rights.
Resolved, That the joint resolution for
amending the Constitution Of the United
States, recently passed by the two houses of
Congress, receives the emphatic endorse
ment of this Convention and of the Loyal
people of Maine
Resolved, That we have full confidence in
the Union Republican majority of Congress;
that we recognize them as the true represen.
tatives of the loyal sentiment of the coun.
try; that we heartily approve the measures
of reconstruction adopted by them +; and
that they deserve and receive the earnest
thanks of the loyal people of this State fol-
their steadfast adherence to the great prin
clples of liberty, justice, and equal rights
rhsck ShOutd Ge the basis Of a restored Union.
ReSOlUed, That the services and sacrifices
of those who formed the late Union army
and navy and the important consequence:
which have resulted therefrom, impose upor
the country at all times an obligation o
gratitude and regard for the living as wei
as the dead, never to be forgotten or over
looked, and at the same time we acknowl
edge our great Indebtedness for the all-im
portant services and generous contributions
of the loyal men and women of the country
which added So much in carrying the nation
successfully through the war;
The following is the still more emphatic
| platform of Vermont
ResoLUed, That justice to all, as well al
the commonest considerations of prudence
demand that no scheme 0fTest0TGtiOD Of the
rebel States aud people stall be liberated, qohicl
does not By Legislature enactment or constitution
al amendment, place The poo0erS Of the G0uern
| naeht beyond contingency in the control OF tine
loyal people of the States, and secure the
government agains. disloyal control or check
ResoLOed, That, while approving the con
stitutional amendment lately proposed by
Congress as present practical measure to
ward securing just ends; noe get insist that
e0ery scheme Of reSto, atom as imperfect that a
not based upon equal and exact justice TO all,
the equal rlgLtS, personal, ceUat and political, o
all loyal citizens, irrespective of color,
ResoI0ed, That We desire the speedy res
toration of our reconstructed and purified
Union-the sooner the better, so it be done
securely and justly, upon the BASES OF at
assured loyalty of the people. and the eq~a
rights Of att but we insist that the loya
representation should be backed by a loya
constituency that as our institutions were
oeNNSa w viz IVY w biiOii DSiOiiSo ChSii
remodeilng and future preservation, and
that loyalty should not be made odious by
placing it upon level with treason in the
rewards and trusts of tue Government.
ResolUed. That all honor and thanks are
due to the soldiers who rushed to its
defence when assailed by conspiracy and
armed treason, and by their heroism saved
the life of the nation, and to maintain re
public purified and regenerated-a service
which should not be forgotten.
These resolutions express the sense of the
Republican party everywhere. There is
scarcely a Congressional district in the NORTH
where the Union men will vote for any plat
form less broad and democratic. When the
people eff the loyal States have expressed
themselves plainly on reconstruction as they
will at the next elections, the days of grace
given to the seeded States for adopting
Constitutional amendments which would
give them the power to exclude one-third o
the Southern people forever from the ballot
will be at an end.