Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1867-07-10
The Republican Platform.


The Republicans of Pennsylvania ap-
pealing again to the people, take pleasure
in recalling the repeated occasions on
which the voters of the Commonwealth
have sustained and ratified their candi-
dates and principles, and strongly i'm
pressed with the Importance of the issues
involved in the ensuing election, make
this declaration of their opinions and pur-
poses:
First That, in the name of the nation
saved from treason, We demand security
against its repetition, by eXacting from
the vanquished such guarantees as will
make treason so odious as 10 be forever
impossible.
/ Second. That, rs in the past we cordial
ly justified the administration of Abra-
/ ham Lincoln in all necessary acts for the
suppressing of the rebellion, We record it
IA our judgment chat the administration
/ of Andrew johnson has been chiefly
i faithlesS, in that it has failed to try tn
gather up and fix in the organic and
statue law the great principles which the
war has settled, and without whose adop-
/ ton as a rule of action, peace is but u de
luSiOn and snare.
Third. That, i'll the completion of the
task OF reconstruction, so firmly rs to be
perpetual, il is Indispensable that traitors
#
tuary in the courts: that the law shall not
be tortured to justify Orpalliate the crimes
of which the cOuntry's enemies have been
guilty, and that the law of the War shall
be so distinctly declared by the courts
that no disturbing and paralyzing doubts
may ever be raised, as in 1861, affecting
the essential rights of the Government or
personal duties OF the citizen.
/ Fourth. That this convention, speaking
for the Republicans of Pennsylvania, un-
. reSerVedly endorses the reconstruction
measures ofthe Thirty-ninth and Fortieth
/ Congresses aS based upon sound princi-
! piles, essentially just and wise, and prom
I ising an early legal and permanent resto-
ration OF the rebel States TO their share in
the government of the Union; that we
denounce and condemn the efforts OF
President johnson, through his plant
Attorney General and n majority of his
Cabinet, t0 evade these laws by interfer-
ing to Obstruct and prevent their enforce
ment in the spirit in which they We're
enacted, and that We call upon Congress,
soon to meet, promptly and decisiveIy to
dispose of this new notification.
FJtt. That the thanks OF the lOval
men of this Commonwealth are hereby
rendered TO Major General Sheridan and
Major General Sickles for their publicly
declared unwillingness to be made instru-
mental, in the startling ana truthful
words of the former. "in opening, under
Presidential dictatiou. broad. macada-
mized way for perjury and fraud to travel
on to the coveted reposSeSsion of politi-
cal power in the rebel States; and that
this convention confidently expects that
General Grant will vindicate his past re-
cord by cordially sustaining them in their
patriotic efforts TO execute the law.
Styfa That President TnbnSDr, ffrY+l, ,,r
merits our condemnation for his reckless
pardon, and attempted restoration To po-
ltlcai rights, of many of the chief con-
spIratOrs against the Union: and that
especially his persistent efforts TO compel
the release OF Jefferson Davis without
question for his crimes, are a repToach to
the administration of justice and an ihsGIi
TO the whole 44995E5a people of the nation.
. Scrcath. That warned by past misfor-
tunes, We ask that the Supreme Court Of
the State be placed in harmony with the
political opinions of the majority of the
people, to the end that the court may
never again, by unjust decisions, seek 10
set aside laws vital TO the nation, nor i'm
peril the safety of the public securities,
nor impair the operation of the bounty
pension and tax laws, which were required
for the public defence; nor in any way
tnWart measures which We're essential to
the public projections; but that, on the
other hand, it may become and remain a
fit and faithful Interpreter of the liberal
spirit of the age, a bulwark of public faith,
and an impartial and fearless exponent Of
the equal rights of man.
. EiHtih. That protection being a cardi-
nal feature of the Republican creed. we
trust that such legislation will be secured,
ut the earliest practicable period, as will
a1bunIfn nrOrapTlnn \ M itsst11
industry.
Ninth. That, in conformity with the
pledges given last fall by both candidates
for Governor, we now demand the enact
ment of 4 free railroad law, by which the
enterprise ufour people may be stimulated
and the RESOURCES Of the Commonwealth
developed.
/ Tenth. That in Gov. John w. Gearv
we recognize an honest and courageous
public servant, who, in the chariot State
is adding freshness TO laurels gallautly
won in war.
Eicrenth. That the gratitude of the
people to the soldiers and sailors, whose
bravery met and overthrew the slave
holders rebellion, should have repeated
and emphatic expression; and that we
heartily disappTOye of and condemn the
course OF the Secretary of the Treasury
III pG>tpGHinr and ignOring the lust claims
of our brave defenders upon the bounty
of the Government, awarded to them bv
the National Congress.
TireIfth. That in the Hon. Henry W.
Williams, of Allegheny county, We pre-
sent TO the people of Pennsylvania an
eminent jurist, one in every way well
qualified for the responsible duties of the
office of Judge of the Supreme Court; able
as lawyer; impartial, prompt, and thor
ough is judge; honest, upright, without
suspicion rs a man, and loyal and unwa-
vering i'll his devotion to the cause OF his
country.
BS5~ \ man, named Rigney, has been
arrested at Boston for the murder OF ThOs
Clay. The deceased was killed while en-