The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1868-07-17
OUR PLATFORM.

Unanimously adopted by the National
Union Republican Convention-at Chicago
May 2ist, 1865.
First. We congratulate the country on the
assured success of the reconstruction projects
At Congress, as eyinced by the adoption, in n
majority of the States lately in rebellion, of
constitutions securing equal civil and politi-
cal rights TO all, and regard IL as the duty of
the Government to sustain these institutions
and 10 prevent the people of such states from
being remltted TO n 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, Of gratitude, and OF justice, and must
be maintained, while the question: Of suffrage
N all the loyal States properly belongs TO the
people of those States.
Third. We denounce all forms of repudia-
alton as national crime, and ma tiOnal honor
requires The payment OF the public indebted
ness In the utmost good faith TO all creditors
at home and abroad, not only according. 20
the letter but the spirit of the laws under
which IL was contracted.
Fourth 1t is due to the labor of the nation
that taxation should be equalized, and relu-
ced rs rapidly as the national faith will per
init.
Fifth. The national debt, contracted as il
has been for the preservation of the Union
!or ali time 10 come, should be extended over
Il fair period for redemption, and it is the duty
OtCOngreSs to reduce the rates of interest
thereon whenever it can possibly be done.
Sixth That the best policy to diminish our
burden of debt Is to improve our credit
that capitalists Will seek to loan us money at
lower rates of interest than we now Day and
must continue to pay so long as reputation,
partial OF total, open or covert, is threatened
or suspected
Seventh. The government of the United
States should be administered W tn the strict
est economy, and the corruptions which have
been so shamefully uursed and fostered bv
andrew johnson call loudly for radical re-
form.
Eight We prof oundly deplore the untinely
and tragic death of Abraham Lincoln, and
regret the Accession of Andrew johnson to
the Presidency, who has acted treacherousIy
TO the people who elected him and the cause
he was pledged TO support ; has usurped leg
islatiye 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 property, peace, liberty
and life of the citizens has abused the par
doniug power, has denounced the National
Legislature as unconstitutional has persist
entity and corruptly resisted, by every means
n his power, anu every proper attempt at the
reconstruction of the States lately In rebel
lion has perverted the public patronage into
an engine of wholesale corruption, and has
beeu Justly impeached for high crimes and
misdemeanors, and properly pronounced
guilty by the votes of thIrty-five Senators.
Ninth. The doctrine of Great Britain and
other European powers, that because n man
: once a subject he Is always so, must be re-
sisted ut every hazard by the United States as
n relic of the feudal times, not authorized by
the law of nations and at War with our ma
tionnl honor and Independence. NatuTalized
citizens are entitled to be protected In all
their rights Of citizenship rs though they
were native born, and no citizen of the United
States, native or naturalized, must be liable
to arrest and imprisonment By any foreign
power for acts done or words spoken in this
country. And If 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 seamen who endured the hardships of
campaign and cruise, and imperilled their
lives in the service of the country. The
bounties and pensions provided by law for
these brave defenders of the nation are obli-
cations neyer TO be forgotten. The widows
and orphans of the gallant dead are the words
of the people, sacred legacy bequeathed to
the nations protecting care.
Eleventh. Foreign emigration, which 10
the past has added so much to the wealth and
development of the resources and the increase
of power of this nation, "the asylum of the
oppressed of all nations, should be fostered
and encouraged by liberal and just policy.
Twelfth. This convention declares its sym
athy with all the oppressed people who are
struggling for their rights t-l -
On motion of Gen. Carl Schurz. the follow
ng additional resolutions were unanimously
adopted as part of the platform
Resolved, That we highly commend the
spirit of magnanimity and forbearance with
which the men who have served IN the rebel
lion, but now frankly and honestly eo-operats
with US in restoring the peace of the country
and reconStructing the southern State gov
ernments upon the basis of impartial justicS
and equal n lights. are received back into ths
communion of the loyal people AMI we favoI
the removal of the disqualifcations and re
strictions imposed upon the late rebels In ths
same measure as their spirit Of loyalty viii
direct, and as may be consistent with The
safety of the loyal people
Resolved, That we recognize the greai
principles laid down IN the immortal Declara
ration of Independence rs the true foundation
Of Democratic government, and we hail with
gladness every effort toward making thes'
principles living reality every inch ol
American soil.