Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-10-05
PLATFORM
adopted Jy the Republican Union
ConrentiOn, held al Madison, Sept. f,
4, 1867.
REVOLUTIONS.

Resolred, That we acknowledge. with graf
itude, the care of that experimenting PrOyi-
dence which. having built us up great and
free nation and having recently preserved us
amid the perils of revolution aud war, has
now crowned the labors of the year with IA
abundant harvest and filed the land with
plenty.
Resolped. That this Convention. represents
ing the Union Republican Party in Wiseon-
am. in the same 81 -irit which has made that
party the uncOmprOmising foe of injustice
and oppression. and the steadfast supporter
and defender of Liberty and Union, renews
the pledges it has heretofore given, and re-
afiirms as cardinel tenets of its political faith
the following.
/. The unalienable rights of all men &c
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
,. No discrimination at the ballot-boN
founded on property, birthplace, creed, oi
color.
3. Liberty of speech and of the press as
the best GUARANTEES for the security OF Repub-
liean institutions.
4. Free schools and the diffusion Of educa-
ton among all classes of the people.
5. The Just subordination of State and
local authorities and interests to the authori-
ties and interests of the nation.
6. Prompt acquiesence in the decisions Of
the people at the ballot box.
:. The maintenance inyIolate of the ma
tional faith as pledged to its creditors.
s. Such an adjustment of the burdens OF
taxation by reyisiOns and notifications from
time 10 time of the tariff and other revenue
laws. as will cause them to fall eqQitably
upen all CLASSES of the people.
3. Retrenchment and economy in the adj
ministratlon of both State aud National
governments.
IL r I
purpose of the Republican Union party dur
ing the war was to conquer the enemies OF
the Union, To establish the unity of the
nation. and TO assert the supremacy of the
constitution and the laws $50, now, its chief
object and purpose is to secure the fruits OF
The victory won, and To secure the reign OF
civil law and constitutional order through
out the land that until these ends are assur-
ed, we will not be diverted or turned aside
from this great business that it is the well
known aim of the Republican party more
clearly to define, and to establish firmly and
forever. that perfect civil and religious liberty
which is now guaranteed by our state and
national constitutions that we are in favor
of the largest measure of individual liberty
consistent with the public good, and opposed
to any legislation in derOgation thereof
except TO prevent acts which infringe the equal
liberty of others and That, composed as our
population is of many different kinds and
nationalities, of different ancestral and social
customs and opinions, we deem it the duty of
all classes to cultivate good understanding
with each other. and TO appreciate the good
there is in each without attempting any COM
pulsory conformity that it is our present
work TO re establish the shaken foun .ations
of the Republic, and we will not be tempted
by any ingenuity of our adversaries, to leave
this work in order TO contend about imagin-
AIRY issues.
ReSyEred. That for the adoption of a firm
wise, anC enlightened national policy VIC
lock mainly TO the representatives. of the
people in CongrCss. which, in the express
Terms of the Constitution, is clothed with
power "to make all laws which shall be
necessary and proper for carrying into exc
cutiOn the powers vested by this
Constitution in the Government of the Uni
led States or in any department or officer
thereof"
Resolved. That we heartily endorse the
general system of measures adopted by Con-
grtSs for the reconstruction of the states
lately in rebellion; that our confidence in
the ability, integrity, and patriotism of ouI
Republican Senator and Representatives is
undated, and in behalf of the loyal people
of the state, we renew to them the assurance
lately gave to our brothers ia the field.
1. Resolved, That it is to US, source of con-
slant humiliation and regret that the Con-
gTess has not received that aid and cO-opera-
ton from the acting President which was due
that we would not forget that, at first, the
questions were new and difficult, and the
emergency sudden but we would remind
our representatives that the Office and duty oil
the President is to execute the laws and moi
10 defeat them that hasty error is one thing
aud 4 deliberate attempt. by the Executive
TO thwart and defeat the necessary measures
of the law-making power for the restoration
of the Union Is an entirely other and differ
ent thing that when such an attempt is per-
sistent it becomes a high crime which calls
for the firm exercise of the extreme power o.
the constitutiOn-the last civil remedy Of the
state; that the people, in this country, arc
sOyerigH ia the last resort, and have the con-
stitutiOnal power Ia make and Hnmake Pres
idenls. and they expCct their representatives
when the safety IF the Republic requires it
10 a. fearlessly exercise the power TO unmakc
as 10 make.
Rcsolrea, That while the necessary burdens
/ Of taxation are greater than ever before, We
require the most rigid economy in the admin
stI;,i iOn uf the affairs both of the nation and
uf The state vet We also know that the
strength of the nation is in the national faith
tltst the loyal millions of this land were IN
cdrRest when they declared that they would
put down the rebellion at 1chaterer cost; and
they will never cnnsent ID rcpHdiate the debt
which vaS incurred 10 meet that cost.
Resolred That the thanks of the Nation
are due 10 Hon. E. VI. Stanton for the pre-
eminent ability and patriotism he has dIs-
PLAYED ia the discharge Of his official duties
of syi,
porting our armies through the late struggle
for the maintenance of our nationality, as
well as Tor The consistent fidelity he has shown
ia adhcring to the principles which were VIM
dictated by the overthrow of the rebellion
also tO Gen. Philip III. Sheridan. who has
won new title TO the affections of the people
hy the proofs he has given ia his adminstra-
tion as commander ia the 5th Miliiaay Dis
trict, that he is not alone brave and dashing
soldier. but a staunch friend ard fearless sup
porter of Justice and equal rigl IS.
ResOlued, That the earn st and patriotic
letter OF remonStfance addressed by Gen.
Grant 10 the President In relation TO Gen.
Sheridan's removal. and also his recent order
prohibiting the res toration to office of men
removed by the military commanders n tile
South for dlslOyalty, meet with our warmesi
appreciation. and afford unmisiakable evil
dence that the man Who stands foremost fOI
services rendered in the field in putting
down armed rebellion, is in hearty accord
with the reconstruction measures of Congress
Resolved, That James r. Doolittle, United
States Senator from this State, has grOssl y
nisrcpresented the people of Wisconsin il
the counsels of the nation, and has shown
himself regardless of their wishes by who lly
ignoring their repeated request to resign.
Resolved, That we renew the expression o
I our gratitude To the heroic soldiers of III,
Republic, by whose patriotism. forlitude, anc