Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1867-08-02

The following is the platform adopted In the
South Carolina Radical Convention, now sitting
in Columbia:
loyal fellow-ctizens more effectual for carrying
out the prov isions of Congress, for the rsstora-
tion Of law and order in our State, a. well a
for the peace and prosperity of our entire coun.
try, We, the people Of South Carolina. do form
ourselves INTO a political organization. to be
known a. the Union Republican party OF
South Carolina
2. That as republican institutions cannot be
preserved unless intelligence be generally dif-
fused among all classes. We will favor a uni
form system Of free schools and colleges, which
shall be open to all.
g. That we will favor liberal system Of
public improvements. such as railroads, canals
aud other works. and also such system OF
awarding contracts for the same az will give all
our fellow citizens an equal and fair chance TO
| share in them.
| 4. That as large land monopolies tend only
| to make the rich richer and the poor poorer.
and are ruinous 10 the agricultural, CONNER
cial and social interests of the State, the Legs.
| ature should offer every practical inducemont
for the division and sale of unoccupied lands
among the poorer classes, and as an encourage
ment to immigrants to settle in our State.
S. That The interests Of the State demand a
revision of the entire code of laws and the re-
organization of the courts.
8. That it is just aud proper that taxes
should be al valorena, aud proportional 10 tho
property Of tho citizeus
7. That the ballot being the surest safeguard
of the rights OF the citizen, all executive and
legislative officers Of the State should be elected
BY tho people therefore.
Resolued, That in our opinion purely repub.
lican government iepaintained only by making
frequent electons-not by the Legislature, but
1 bv the peoDfe themselves: therefore.
Resolrea, That the delegates we shall send 10
the Constitutional Convention about 10 be called
by tho Commanding General. be instructed to
so frame our new constitution that the Governor
the State Legislature, and all subordinate off,
GERS, except those of the judiciary department.
be chosen by the people. 10 hold their respective
Offices, not for two years, but for one year aud
that in the election of President and Vice.Pres'
dent of tho United States, chosen every four
other State in the Union, shall bs chosen by tho
people directly aud not by the members Of tho
Legislature.
s. That the poor and destitute. thoss sgsd
} anc in6rm people. houseless and homeless, and
, past labor, who have none to cars for them,
should be provided for at the expense OF the
State and that. in tho reconsttuction OF our
government We will soc 10 it that they are not
. | neglected and forgotten.
8. Tha, the unhappy policy pursued BY An
drew johnson 10, In its effects upon loyal peoPis
of the South, unjnat, oppressive, snd intolsraese
and accordingly, however erdently We dsai!e 70
see our State onoe restored to es proper position
in tho Union, We would jeploss restoration on any
other conditions than those prescribed BY the
Fortieth Congress, to which we give our cordial
r and entire sanction, believing the principles
enuncisted by the Republican party. through
that Congress, to be just and wise.
10. That tho adverse discrimination towaFds
tho Agricultural laborers Of The Southern
States. an manifested by the enormous tax on
cotton. IL unjust and oppressive, and should bt
o. abrops,sd at Tho snrlisst practicable moment.
: ii. That We sincerely sxult In The fact that
!! | 40 o nation, We are now absolutely nation
! of freemen, and that from the 81. Lawrence Il
o tho Rio Grande, and from the Atlantic to the
r Pacific, tho sun no lopger shines upon the brow
a | Of q slave. -:
: IL. That q wise care for the public safety
sometimes renders it necessary that those wht
: have sought resoutely to overthrow govern
8 mont should not hastily 30 restored to the priv
9 ileges Of which they have deprived themselves
O by their crime Of treason-certalnly not unit
q they have shown evidence Of sincere repentance
y end a disposition as energstcslly to support a
r they have in times past sought to destroy. tn
q Union and that We consider Willingness on tn
q part of these men TO elevate TO power the me-
who preserved answering adherence to The gov
eminent during tho war, tho best OF sinesri'
q ty in professions for the future. II. ),
It IL. That We will not support any candidAt
y for Office who will not openly indorss the prin
. ciples adopted by the Union Republican party
{ and that We pledge ourselves 70 stand by IL
2 regular nomnatona Of the parry, without an
10 reservation whatever.