New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-05-27
THR CHICAGO PLATFORM.


It may truly be said that no political
campaign ever opened in this country Wi9
such splendid auguries of success as those
of the Republican party in the coming
Presidential contest. This comes oil Ine
candidates nominated at Chicago and the
principles of the party as set forth ~ INC
platform. wherever great and heroic
military deeds inspire enthusiasm Wnsre-
ever the legislation OF the thirty-ninth anu
fortieth Congresses is appreciated; wherever
the possession of patriotism, spotless reputa-
ton, intelligence, and character are held 10
he the chief essentials Of craftsmanship,
there the names of Grant and COlfax will
be hailed with delight.
The twelve planks Of the platform like
wise embody those great principles which
are at once the life and soul of the Repub-
lican party of the Union. They seize hold
OF, so to speak, those great moral, social,
and political forces which govern the
world Of ideas just as physical laws control
the material world. Without their aid NO
party can now attain to power in this
country; or retain power if in possession
Of it.
The two sections Of the platform that
relate to reconstruction and suffrage as
sumo that the reconstruction policy Of Con-
gress will soon be an accomplished fact.
The country is congratulated upon the Be-
curing of equal civil and political rights to
all citizens, and it is justly held te be the
duty Of the government to sustain the re-
constructed States and prevent their re-
turn to anarchy.
No one can deny that under ordinary
circumstances the control of the suffrage
properly belongs to the people Of the diff,
terent States. There is no reason why it
should now be otherwise in the loyal States.
But in the States not yet readmitted an
entirely different condition of things exists.
Their case is anomalous, extraordinary.
The reconstruction Of these States would
have been impossible without the SURFACES
Of ali the loyal citizens, just as their con-
quest from the enemy would have been i'm
possible without loyal aid. Shall the nation
then desert her loyal children in the hour
Of her triumph Shall she wrest from their
hands the ballot which is now more potent
for their protection than the bullet, and
without which they must inevitably perish ?
Obviously not Every consideration of
public safety, gratitude, and justice de-
mands the guarantee of equal suffrage to
all the loyal men Of the South.
The Eve sections of the platform that re-
late to financial questions simply express
the most advanced sentiments of the coun-
try upon these topics A great change has
taken place therein during the last three
months. The feeling is every day growing
stronger throughout the country that if the
taxation can be somewhat reduced, the
credit Of the country be improved, and
the time for the payment Of the national
debt be somewhat extended, these great
financial questions will speedily settle
AhNAADC4NNE3 anu AAot Al VIC AhSAS1SIA RASG-
perity Of the country population in any
and every shape would soon be forgotten.
The platform deplores the untimely and
tragic death of Abraham Lincoln, and the
accession Of Andrew johnson to the Presi-
deney. 1t fully sets forth the treachery
and usnrpation of the Chief Magistrate,
and declares that be was justly impeaehed
Of high crimes and misdemeanors, and
properly pronounced guilty by the united
votes Of thirty-fve Senators.
The sacred duty of protecting naturalized
citizens and of providing for the widows
and orphans Of the soldiers who gave their
lives to the country is also insisted upon.
Sympathy is rendered to all oppressed
peoples, and encouragement recommended
to immigration as a means of increasing
the wealth and power and developing the
resources of the nation.