Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-03-16
Ghe &ree press.
GEO. w. & C. C. BENEDICT.
EDITORS AND PRoPRIEroRs.
FRIDAY MORNING MARCH Il. 1856.
The Pennsylvania Platform.

, The PennsylvaHia Platform.
{ Congress cannot complain of the support
tis receiving from the people ; nor can th,
, President be Indifferent to the accumulating
. evidence that the masses, by whose will he ha.
, said that he desires to be controlled, in the
loyal States at least are arriving at toler-
ably clear convictions, on the situation at
Washington. They will heartily sustain
tie President as long as he sustains the
principles they understood him to represent
when they elected him But if the sim
pending conflict" between the President and
Congress should ever come to an open issue,
through the attempt to crowd the late rebel
States into Congress before the majority in
Congress are satisfied that 1T is safo to ad-
NIT them to full representation-in such
case, if We can read the signs of the times,
the people will stand by their representa-
tives. The resolutions passed by the Re
publican Convention of the great State of
Pennsylvania express this in clear and
definite terms, and Pennsylvania, although
it is the State of Thad. Stevens, is not
radical State.
l; Is thus the Republicans of the Key
Stone State respond to the calumuy which
brands as "Northern disunionists." all who
dare to question the complete restoration to
loyalty of the lately reconstructed rebels:
Resolved, That filed with admiration at the |
patriotic devotion and fearless courage with |
which Andrew ohnson resisted and denounced /
the efforts Of the rebels to overthrow the nation
al government, Pennsylvania rejoiced to e1-
press her entire confidence in his character snd
principles, by bestowing her suffrage upon him
for the second position in honor and dignity in
the country. His bold and outspoken denuncia-
tons Of the crime Of treason. his firm demands
foT the punishment Of the guilty offenders, and
his expressions Of thorough sympathy with the
friends Of the Union, secured for him the warm
est attachment Of her people who, remembering |
his great services and sacrifices, appeal to him
10 stand firmly by the side and to repose upon
the support Of the loyal masses whose votes
formed the foundation Of his promotion, and
who pledged to him their support in all meas
ures by which treason shall be stigmatised. 10y
atty recognized, and the freedom. stability, and
unity Of the nation secured.
Resolved, That the work Of restoring the late
insurrectionsry States to their proper relations |
to the Union necessarily devolves upon the law
making power, and that. until such action shall |
be taken, no State lately in insurrection is enii
tied to representation in either branch Of Con-
gresf. That, as preliminary 10 such q return,
II Is the right ofCongress to investigate for itself
the condition Of the legislation Of these States;
to inquire respecting their loyalty, and prescribe
the terms Of restoration; and that TO deny this
constitutional power is to deny and I
mperil one Of the dearest rights belonging to
bur representative form Of government; and d
that We cordially approve Of the action Of the l
Union Representatives in Congress from Penn ,
ylvania on this subject.
Resolved, That the Hon. Edgar Covan, Sens
or from Pennsylvania, by his course in the Sen
tie of the United States, has disappointed the
ropes and forfeited the confidence Of those to
whom he owes his place, and that he is hereby
most earnestly requested to resign. I
Resolved, That no man who has voluntarily | !,
ngAged in the late rebellion, OF has held Office
Inder the rebel organization. should be allowed
o sit in Congress Of the Union, aud that the @
aW known as the test cath should not be re-
ealed, but should be enforced against all claim
nts for seats in Congress. 10
Resolved, That in this crisis Of public affairs, =
ull Of grateful recollections Of his marvelou, y.
nd memorable services on the field Of battle, we =
urn to the example Of unfslterIng and uncom- r
romising loyslty Of Lieutenant General Grant, A
nth confidence not the less significant and un- .,
laken because at no period Of our great strug- :.
le has his proud name been associated with q =.
oubtful patriotism, or used for sinister purpo-
es by the enemies Of our common country.