Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-12-25
The Congressional Platform.

Ihe congressional Platform.
Political parties are always best distin-
guished by their generic ideas and tenden-
cles, rather than by the specific measures
they may from time to time espouse. These
primary ideas and tendencies remain perma-
nently, while particular measures, having
met the exigencies for which they were de-
vlsed, cease through the natural progress of
events to be OF consequence
The Republican party was organized to
resist the encroachments Of the Slave Power,
which had grown to such dimensions as to
menace Liberty with complete destruction.
1t was in the order OF things that all who
loved Liberty, either for its intrinsic excel
ience and beauty, or for its extrinsic utility
and benlficence, should unite with this party
and contribute to the accomplishment of
the end it proposed. If any man had deci-
ded at the beginning that this party could
be better judged simply by the special mea-
sures it advocated than by the convictions
lying back of all measures whatever, he
would have made a great mistake This
was demonstrated when in the course of the
rebellion 1T became necessary to strike at the
existence of Slavery. At that conjecture
the innate tendencies of the party came into
exercise, and Slavery was overthrown.
S2oonl the other hand, the Democratic
party Is best judged, not by It's temporary
measures, but by its inherent tendencies. 1t
resisted the hedging about of Slavery, be-
causs.it liked that institution and would
glatIy have made it both permanent and mas
tional
The country has reached development
where the measures upon which the two
great political parties divided four years ago,
are effete, having subseryed all the purposes
they were designed for, and SO become use
less as shibboleths. Nevertheless, the vital
lzing ideas and tendencies of parties remain
essentially the same. The Republican party
is still devoted to Liberty, which is evinced
IN Its demand for the recognition of Equail-
ty OF Political Rights; while the Democratic
party Is still TOR Slavery, as is attested by the
vehemence OF Its protest against the idea of
making men equal, in all respects, before
the laws. Measures only have changed,
while the fundamental principles abide as
they were.
This inherent distinction being understood
1t Ouly becomes necessary for each political
party, as the next Presidential canvass ap-
proachcs, to define by what particular mea-
sures, suited to the existing condition of af-
fairs, it will symbolic its character and in
tentions. The Republican members of Con-
gress, though not specially charged with this
duty, so far as relates to their party, occupy
4 position in which they cannot help fore
sha towing, with toierable certainty, the lines
which the National Convention, when it
shall assemble will authoritatirely trace. So
far as tue manifestations during the current
Session enable US to form an opinion, we
Judge that the Republicans will insist on
these points L. That Reconstruction shall
be consummated In accordance with the plan
upon which the seeding States are now pro-
ceeding. ,. That the industry of the coun-
try shall be relieved, to the largest practica
ble extent, of the burden of taxation which
it now carries. ,. That the policy of CON
tracing the paper currency shall cease. 4.
That the current expenses of the government
shall be cut down to the lowest possible
point. 5. That the army shall be reduced
to peace standard, nearly upon the basis
that existed before the war. 6. That the
augmentation Of the navy shall be suspen-
ded and sales made of all vessels not needed
for actual service.
OF course, the five months that must
elapse before the meeting of the National
Convention may produce abatements or ad-
ditions to this platform which cannot now
be forbseen. The delegates will have the
advantage of receiving credentials from the
constituencies Of later duty than those held
by congressman, and hence reflect more ac
curately the state Of public opinion as it may
then appear, Still, we apprehend, that an
essential agreement will be found to exist
between the Convention and the Republican
side of Congress. s.-PHsburg Gazette.