Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-07-04
GEN GIANTS PLATFORM.

The recent speech of Gen. Rawlins, Grants I
chief of Staff, at Galena, we find is being
generally regarded at the West as rejecting
the views Of the Lieutenant General. 1t is
presumed that the speech was not made with |
out due consideration and proper authority |
from the great soldier.
This being the case the positions taken
become of the most vital importance, and
we present here the condensation of them,
prepared by Chicago paper;-
/. The power and duty of Congress and the
President as the law-making power to protect
and guard the American Union, and to preserve
inyioate the republican form OF the national and
State governments, and the rights, liberties and
property OF the whole people.
2. That the condition OF the country after the
close of the war, and the refusal Of the provision
nj or temporary governments TO secure and pro-
ect the rights aud liberties OF the freedmen, de-
| mandcd of Congress the enactment Of the civil
rights bill, without which these people would
have remained subject to all the disabilities, with
none OF the projections of slavery
3. That the rebellion was undertaken to es-
tablish government having as its basis the per-
petuity OF human slavery. That in dealing with
the rebellion the United States, with great for
bearance, during nearly three years, omitted to
strike slavery, as it might have done and that
when it did SO, it destroyed the chattel character
of the slave, made him q full freeman and as
such, entitled to an equality in political and civil
rights with all other ircemen 10 have given
the negro freedom without political equality
would have exhibited the anomaly of four mil
lions OF freemen, neither citizens nor aliens, sub
jeet to the laws and yet not entitled to their full
1 protection.
: A. That the governments Instituted by the Pres
J ident to the rebel States, having failed in amos
/ every essential to adapt their Constitutions Il
r the republican form made necessary by the chang
in the political character of so many millions 0
the people OF their States, it was the duty Of Con
i gross to inquire into these organizations, an
finding them both illegal and anti-repubcan, I
IS refuse them representation. That ii was in til
II power and it was the duty of Congress to swce
from existence any and all governments in an
l. States which were anti-repubcan, as these 20,
ernments in the rebel States were, and to provid
for the establishment OF other governments there
= in, on the basis of republican equality.
d b. That Congress was correct in its decisio
/; that the governments In these States denying su
frage to all freemen without distinction of race
rs color, were illegal and anti-republcan, and is ju
~ titled in denying representation to those Stat
until they do grant suffrage to the people witho
lr such distinctions.
or G. The right Of suffrage is the only sscu
!, means by which any person can protect his libe
NC ty, and that it cannot be denied to the color
M people, who in most of the States If not ALL co
al stitute the majority of those who proved stcadfO
GU to the Union, and fought in the ranks of its d
e. miles, without denial ofthc republican princpl
A., upon which the government is founded.
y! Z. That the constitutional amendment propos
,ct by the last Congress was an Indispensable nece
IL sity created by the war; that Congress did rig
in proposing it, and in making its ratification
nd prerequisite of the recognition of any governmt
lie in the rebel States. That the amendment in
e. its parts-the declaration Of citizenship, the Ii
LOT itation of representation to those admitted
M suffrage, the inyioability of the national de
-. the reputation Of the rebel debt, the dsfr
e'e chisement OF those rebels who had added ofilt
no. perjury TO treason,-was wise and just and of
60, necessity there can be no doubt.
ioi That the reconstruction acts of the last g
gress were the result of wise exercise of
nm unquestionable power of the law-inaking bra,
of the government; that the military provisi
es. OF the acts are 10 more violations OF liberty d
mi the employment of the army for the suppress
81, of the rebellion, and that the South must acc
ihu the situation fully and unreseryedly.
are 0. That reconstruction and restoration of
o,,, whole Union are eminently desirable; tina
eni must be accomplished before there can be
are return to all the blessings of wise and econ,
a. ical administration of the affairs of the COVE
ue ment; that there is no portion of the people '
CHI more earnestly desire such restoration than
ON | army generally, or the five commanders of
az military districts that the Union thus restt
upon the broad and enduring basis of the pc
cal equality of all freedmen the future glory
can safety of the nation will be secured beyond
ngs danger.
% ID. That all Northern States which have
established impartial suffrage should do so "
by out delay.
G Of If Grant stands on this platform, ther
gu no necessity of canyassing names for
pro- Presidency. The matter is closed and
our part we are ready to vote.