Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-08-28
THE PLATFORM OF THE UNION
PARTY OF DELAWARE.

PARTY OF DELAWARE.
The commendation of the resolutions
adopted by the State Union Convention
held at Dover, on the Sth inst, seems to
be cordial and universal. They are marked
with an ability, cleaness, frankness and
force, that are not only unusual, but that
contrast most favorably with the bungling,
scattering, meaningless and buncombe plat
form of the Democratic party.
The Union resolutions deal in no glitter
ing generalities" that may be construed so
as to suit directly opposite opinions. They
are plain, direct, statesmanlike - showing
that the Union party is based upon living
principles which it is neither afraid nor
ashamed to boldly and openly assert. In
deed it has always been the aim of the party
TO avow its doctrines and TO be willing TO
stand or fall upon principle.
II declares that our thanks are due to God
and to our soldiers and sailors, that we still
have country: That the Rebels who failed
to dissolve the Union by force are endeav-
oring to disrupt it by political Vaccinations
That to Congress belongs the right to deter
mine when the people of the Rebel States
are fit to resume the relations which they
severed for the purpose of destroying the
country: That it is the duty of Congress to
protect the loyal and to guarantee freedom
and security of life and happiness as well as
to require pledges of future good behavior;
That the Constitutional amendment which
refers TO the people OF the several States the
question of suffrage and thus removes from
national politics the question of strife, ought
to be ratified: That the Monroe doctrine is
right, and ought to be enforced, until every
part of this Continent shall have been wrest-
ed from the rule of monarchical powers;
That the neutrality laws ought so TO be revised
and amended that those governments which
have been unfriendly to us during our hard
struggle may take no special benefits but may
feel the retrbution of handed and
exact justice enforced and maintained, il
necessary, by military power.
1t is well known that these resolutions
came from the pen of our late Representative
in Congress, Hon. Nathaniel b. Smithers
than whom we have not a more fearless and
eloquent champion OF Right. 1t was mainly
through his influence, also, that the counties
of Kent and Sussex so handsomely and
gracefully assented to the claim of New
Castle for equal representation. It is, there
fore, with the greatest pleasure that we make
this public acknowledgment OF his fidelity tC
principles, of his consistent support OF wha
he deems to be right and just, and Of thu
high and honorable position he has won fo
himself in the estimation of his party in thi
State, and throughout the country.
Mr.. Smithers will go with other gentlemen
to the loyal Convention at Philadelphia, ant
we feel assured that with such delegates ou
little State will be ably represented 1t i
the golden opportunity to show to the coun
try where Delaware stands in the scale O
loyalty; to vindicate the fidelity of her tru
sons who have stood by the Government un
der the most diseouragng circumstances; Il
show by what party our little State has bee
well-nigh ruined both in her legislativ
policy and internal government; to secur
the sympathies of earnest men in the strul
gle which we are just entering; and to adoI
the measures by which victory OF goo
men and good principles may crown the e
) forts of the Union party in November. w
shall expect Delaware to make herself fe
and heard in that Convention; and we Gu
upon her delegates to select one of the
number to make, at the proper time and
the proper manner, such statements as wi
evince our sympathy for the true men of Il
o South; our loathing and disgust of the ira
I tors, whether President or private citlze
y who seek to oppress them and TO ruin OF
i country; and our determination to use evei
effort both to sustain our Congress and to i
:; deem our State from Salisbury rule and rui
If they fail to do this, it will be because the
n either forget or are indifferent TO the gre
IT object for which they were sent to til
IA Convention.