The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-08-11
The Republican Platform.

The National Republican Party Of the United
States, ass mbled in National Convention, in the
city Of Chicago. on The Twentieth day Of Nay, 1865
make the Jo<~uing declaration Of principles:
First We congratulate the country en- the assur-
ed success OF the reconstruction policy of Congress-
as evnced by the adoption by a majority Of the
States lately in rebellion, of constitutions securing
eq Ial civil and political rights to ALL 1t is the duty
OF the government TO sustain these nstitu lions and
TO prevent the people of such States from being re-
mitted to a state OF anarchy.
SecOnd-The guarantee by Congress OF eoual sniff
rage to all loyal men at the South demanded by
every consideration of pubic safety, of gratitude,
and ofiustice, and must be maintained The whole
question of suffrage in the loyal States properly be-
longs to the people of hose States.
1hird-We denounce all forms OF repudia ion as a
national crime. rhe national honor requires the
payment of the public Indebtedness in the utmost
good faith, to all creditors at home and abroad not
only acco ding to the letter, bit the spirit OF the
law under which it was contracted.
Fourth-It is due to the labor of the nation that
taxation shall be equalizel and reduced as rapidly
as the national faith shall permit.
Fitth-The national debt contracted as it has
been tor the preservation OF the Union for all time
to come, should be extended over a fair period for
redemption and is the duty OF Congress to reduce
the rate OF interest thereon whenever it he hon
eStly dcne.
Sixth-The best policy to diminish our burden of
debt is to so improve our credit that capitalists will
seek to loan us money at lower rates interest than
we now pay, and must continue pay so long as re-
pudiaton partial or tota open or covert is threat
ened or suspected.
Seventh-rhe government of the United States
should be administered with the strictest economy,
and the c0rruptions which have been so shamefuliy
nurs ed and fostered by Andrew Johnson call loudly
for a radic al reform.
Eighth.-we profoundly deplore the untimely and
tragic death OF Abraham Lincoln, and regret The
cession OF Andrew johnson to the presiden, y; who
has acted treacherously to the people who elected
him and the cause he was pledged to support; who
has ururpei high legislative and judicial functions
who has rrlused to execute the laws; who has used
his high office to induce other officers to ignore
VIC ate the laws: who has emplo, Ell his executive
render insecure h.
| the liberty and the life of the citizen; who has
abused the pardoning power; VIII, has denounced
the national legislature as unconstitutional; who
| has persistenty and corruptly resisted by every
measure IN his power every proper attemnt At the
has perverted the public patronage into an engine ef
wholes ale corruption, ana who las Justly been
peached for high crimes and misdem, anors and prop
iy pronounced guilty thereofby vote OF ~ Sena-
| tors
| Ninth-The doctrine of Great Britain and other
European powers, that because man is once sub
ect he is always must be resisted at every haz
| ard by the United States relic of the feudal
| times not authorized by the law OF nations and at
Naturaiized citizens entitled to be protected in
all their rights OF citizenship though they were
hative born; and no citizen OF the United States,
Imprisonment by any foreign power for acts done
words sncken in this country and If they are so ar
rested and imprisoned, il the duty OF the govern
| ment to interfere in their behalf.
Tenth of all who were faithful in the trials o
the late war there were none entitled to more special
hon0r than the trave soldiers and seamen who en-
dured the hardshps of campaign and cruise and i'm
perilled their lives in the service of the country
The bountes and pensions provided by law for these
brave defenders obligations never to be forgot
| ten; the widows and orphans of the gallant dead
| are the wards of the people-a sacred legacy be-
queathed to the nations fostering care.
| Eleventh-Foreign emigration, which in the past
| mas added 90 much to the wealth. development and
resources, and the increase of power to this nation
| the asylum of the oppressed of all nations, should
be tostered and encouraged by liberal and just
| policy.
Twelfth-This convention declares itself in sympa-
thy with all the oppressed peoples which are strug-
Cling for their rights.
| Unanimously added, on motion of Gen. Schurz:
Resotred, That we highly commend the spirit OF
| magnanimity and iorbearance with which men who
| have served in the Rebellion, but who frankly
and honestly cooperate with in restoring the peace
| OF the country and reconstructing the Southern
| State governments upon the bass of Impartial jus
| tice and Equal Rights, received back into the
| communion of the loyal people; and we avor the re-
mOva of the dsqualifcatons and estfictions impos
ed upon the late Rebels in the same measure as the
spirit of loyalty will direct and as may be consistent
with the safety OF the loyal people.
Resolved That we recognize the great principles
laid down in the immortal Declaration OF lndepend
ence, as the true foundation of democratic govern
ment and we hail with gadness every effort towards
making these principles living reality on every
inch of American soil.