Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-05-28
THE Radical Platform.


on the DIST instant.
As this rickety concern is doomed to receive
a good deal Of hammering during the Presi-'
Dental cempaign, it is proper to put it on
record. The first, second, seventh, and eighth
are peryersions of the truth in every word aud
syllable The whole are fit emanations of par
tran palayer and malignity:
THE RADICAL PLATFORM.
The National Republican party Of the United
States. assembled in National Convention IN
the city of Chicago on the Goth day Of May,
1868. make the following declaration Of prlncl-
pies:
First. We congratulate the country on the
assured success Of the reconstruction projects
of Congress. as eyinced by the adoption in
majority of the States lately in rebellion of
constitutions securing equal civil and political
rights 10 ALL and regard it as the duty Of the
Government to sustain these institutions and
to prevent the people Of such States from being
RENTED 20 a state Of anarchy.
Second. The guarantee Of Congress of equal
suffrage to all loyal men at the South was de-
manded by every consideration Of public safety,
tanned. while the question of suffrage IN all the
loyal States properly belongs to the people OF
those States
Third. We donounce all forms of reputation
as a national crime, and national honor re-
quires the payment of the public Indebtedness
in the utmost good faith to all creditors, at
home and abroad, not only according to the
letter but the spirit Of the laws under which 1t
was contracted.
Fourth. 1t is due to the labor Of the nation
that taxation should be equalized, and re-
duccd as rapidly as the national faith will per-
nit
Fifth. The national debt, contracted as it
has been for the preservation Of the Union for
all time to come, should be extended over a
fair period for redemption, and it Is the duty
of Congress to reduce the rate of interest there
on whenever it can possibly be done.
Sixth. That the best policy 20 diminish our
burden Of debt is to so improve our credit that
capitalists will seek to loan us money at lower
rates of interest than we now pay, and must
continue to pay so long as Republication, partial
or total, open or covert, Is threatened or sus-
pected.
Seventh. The Government Of the United
I
economy, and the corruptions which have been
so shamefully nursed and fosterted by Andrew
johnson call loudly for radical reform.
Eighth We profoundly deplorc the untlme-
| w and tragic death of Abraham Lincoln, and
regret the accession Of Andrew johnson to the
Presidency, who has acted treacherously to the
people who elected him and the cause he was
pledged to support; has uSurped legislative
aud judicial functions; has refused TO execute
the laws has used his high office to induce
other officers to ignore and violate the laws !;
/ has employed his executive power to render
insecure the prosperity, peace, liberty, and life
I of the citizen; has abused the pardoning power;
has denounced the National Legislature as un-
constitutional; has perSistently and corrupty
resisted, by every means in bis power every
proper attempt at the restoration Of the States
lately in rebellion las perverted public pa
tronage into an engine OF wholesale corruption,
and has been Justly impeached for high crimes
and misdemcauors, and properly pronounced
guilty by the votes of thirty-hye Senators.
Ninth The doctrine of Great Britain and
other European Powers, that because a man is
once a subject he is always SO, must be resisted
at every hazard by the United States as relic Of
/ the feudal times, not authorized by the law Of
nations and at war with our national honor
/ and independence. Naturalized citizens are
/ entitled 70 be protected in all their rights Of
citizenship as though they were natiye-born,
and no citizen of the United States, native or
uaturalized, must be liable to arrest and i'm
/ prisonment by any foreign Power for acts done
/ or words spoken in this country. And # so
arrested and imprisoned, it is the duty Of the
/ Government to interfere in his behalf
Tenth OF all who were faithful in the trials
of the late war there were none entitled to more
/ especial honor than the brave soldiers and sea-
men who endured the hariships of campaign
and cruise, and imperlled their lives in the
service Of the country. TIE bounties and pen
sions provided 10y law for these brave defenders
of the nation are obligations never to be for
gotten. The widows and orphans Of the gal
liant dead are the wards of the people sacred
/ legacy bequeathed to the nations protecting
care.
Eleventh. Foreign emigration, which in the
past has added so much to the wealth and de-
yclopmeut of the resources and the increase Of
this nation, "the asylum Of the oppressed of all
nations, should be fostered and encouraged
by a liberal and just policy.
lWelIln. MS CONVENTION OCClaTCS SYM
patty with all the oppressed people who are
struggling for their rights.
On motion of Gen. Carl Schurz, the follow
inc additional resolutions were unanimously
adopted as part Of the platform:
Rcso1re3, That we highly commend the
spirit Of magnanimity and forbearance with
which the men who have served in the rebel
lion. but now frankly aud honestly cooperate
with us in restoring the peace of the country,
and reconstructing the Southern State govern
melts upon the basis Of impartial Justice and
equal rights, are received back into the COM
muuion Of the loyal people; and we favor the
removal Of the diSqualihcations aud restrictions
imposed upon the late rebels in the same mea-
sure as their spirit Of loyalty will direct, and
as may be consistent with the safety of the
loyal people. LCries Of Good, good.
ReSolrsd, That we recognize the great prin-
Ciples laid down in the immortal Declaration
Of independence as the true foundation of dem
ocratic government, and we hail with gladueSs
every effort toward making these principles a
living reality on every inch of American soil.