Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-09-21
PEATFORM
adopted By the Republican Union
Convention, held at Madison, Sapt.,
4, 1867.
RESOLUTIONS

dence which, having built us up great and
! free nation and having recently preserved US
amid the perils of revolution and war, has
now crowned the labors of the year with an
abundant harvest and filled the land with
| plenty.
Resolred, That this Convention, represent
ing the Union Republican Party in Wiscon-
sin, in the same spirit which has made that
party the uhcompromising foe of injustice
and oppression. and the steadfast supporter
and defender of Liberty and Union, renews
| the pledges it has heretofore given, and re-
affirms as cardinel tenets of its political faith
the following
1. The unalenable rights of all men 10
| life, liberty. and the pursuit of happiness.
2. No. discrimination at the ballot-box
founded on property, birthplace, creed, or
color
3. Liberty of speech and of the press as
the best guarantees for the security of Repub-
lican 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 authors
! tres and interests of the nation.
q. Prompt acquIesence in the decisions of
the people at the ballot box.
7. The maintenance invIolate of the ma
tional faith as pledged to its creditors.
8. Such an adjustment IF the burdens of
| taxation by reysions and notifications from
| time TO time of the tariff and other revenue
! laws, as will cause them to fall equitably
upen all classes Of the people.
9. Retrenchment and economy in the adj
ministration of both State and National
governments.
| Resolvcd, That, as the chief object and
purpose of the Republican Union party dur
| ing the war was to conquer the enemies of
| the Union, 10 establish the unity of the
nation. and 10 assert the supremacy of the
constitution and the laws so, 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 aud
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 TINT, composed as our
population is of many different kinds and
nationaities, of different ancestral aud 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 afions
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. .fs.r SO tat s..
Resided, That for the adoption of firm,
wise, anc enlightened national policy We
lock mainly 10 the representatives, of the
people in Congress, which, in the express
terms OF the Constitution, is clothed with
power ITO make all laws which shall be
necessary and proper for carrying into exc
cution the powers vested by this
Constitution in tile Government of the Uni
ted States or in any department or officer
thereof" i
ReSOlred That we heartily endorse the
general system of measures adopted by Con-
gress for the reconstruction Of the states
lately in rebellion; that our confidence in
the ability, integrity, and patriotism Of our
Republican Senator and Representatives is
undated. and in behalf of the loyal people
of the state, we renew to them the assurance
of the same unwayeriug support which we
lately gave to our brothers in the field.
ReSolved, That it is. to US, source of con-
slant humiliation and regret that the Con-
gress 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 of
the President is to execute the laws aud not
to defeat them that hasty error is one thing
and 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 tine firm exercise of the extreme power of
the constitution--the last civil remedy of the
state; that the people, in this country, are
soyerigh in the last resort, and have the con-
stitutiOnal power to make and Hnmake Pres.
idehts, and they expect their representatives,
when the safety of the Republic requires it,
TO as fearlessly exercise the power to unmake
as 10 make.
ReS0lvea, That while the necessary burdens
of taxation are greater than ever before, we
require the most rigid economy in the admin
lstration of the affairs, both of the nation and
of the state; yet we also know that the
strength of the nation is in the national faith;
that the loyal millions of this land We're in
earnest when they declared that they would
put down the rebellion at whatever cost; and
they will never consent to repudiate the debt
which was incurred to meet that cost.
ReSOlued. That the thanks of the Nation
are due to Hon. E. NJ. Stanton, for the pre-
eminent ability and patriotism he has dis
played in the discharge of his official duties
as Secretary of War, in organizing and sup
porting our armies through the late struggle
for the maintenance of our nationality. as
well as for the consistent fidelity he has shown
in adhering to the principles which were vim
dictated by the overthrow of the rebellion
also TO Gen. Philip II. Sheridan, who has
won new title to the affections of the people,
by the proofs he has given in his administra-
tIon as commander in the 5th Miliiaay Dis
trict, that he is not alone brave and dashing
soldier, but staunch friend ard fearless sup
porter of justice and equal rights.
ReSolued. That the earnest and patriotic
letter OF remonstrance addressed by Gen.
Grant to the President in relation to Gen.
Sheridan's removal. and also his recent order
prohibiting the restoration to office of men
removed by the military commanders N the
South for disl0yalty, meet with our warInest
appreciation, and afford unmistakable evil
dence that the man who stands fore most for
services rendered. in the field in putting
down armed rebellion, is in hearty accord
with the reconstruction measures OF Congress.
ResoiUed, That James r. DOolittle. United
States Senator from this State, has grossly
misrepresented the people of Wisconsin in
the counsels of the nation, and has shown
himself rec ardless of their wishes by lily
ignoring their repeated request to resign.
= ReSolUed, That we renew the expression of
our gratitude TO the heroic soldiers of the
Republic, by whose patriotism, fortitude. and
valor the Nations life was defended and the
supremacy of its flag triumphantly asserted.