Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-10-14
The PIatfOrm.

The National Republican party of the United
States. Assem- bled in national Convention in the
city of Chicago the 10Th day of May 1868
makes the following declaration of principles.
/ We congratulate the country on the assured
success OF the reconstruction policy of Congre :
as evInced by the adoption, in majority of tn.
States ately in rebellion, If coEst tu;ions secur
ing eguai civil and political rights to all and
gard 1t AS the duty of the Government to sustain
those institutions and to prevent the people of
sGch states from being remitted 10 p state of an
archy.
?. The guarantee by Congress of equal suffrage
TO all loyal men at the south demahded py
every consideration OF pu6lic safety, of gratitude
and oi justice. and must be matutui ned while the
question of suffrage in all the loyal states prop
erly belongs to the people OF those States
J. We den"Uhce all forms OF reputation as a
National crime aud the National honor requires
the payment of the public Indebtedness in tHc us-
most good faith to all creditors at home and
bToad, not only according TO the letter. but the
spirit OF the law under whivh II contracted
1t Is due To the labor OF the nation that tax
alton should be equalizei and reduced as rapid
ly as the national iaitn will permit
>. The national debt. contracted as it has been
for the preservation Of the Union for all time TO
come, should be extended over fair period for
redemption, and it is the duty of Congress TO
duce the rate OF interest thereon whenever it can
haeeSt!y be done
& That the best policy to diminish ctr burden
OF debt. Is 10 so improve our c., dit 50 that capi
thlis,s viii seek 10 !oau money at lover rates
of interest than we pay, ani ,Gust continue
open or cOyerJ.iS threatened or suspected
7. The Government of he United States should
be administered with the strlctest economy and
the corruptious, which have been 50 shamefuiiy
nursed and tosteTcd by Andrew johnson, cali
loudly for radical reform
s. We profoundly deplOre the untimeiy and
tragic death of Abraham Lincoln and regret the
accession Of Andrew johnson to the Presidency
who mas acted treacherOusly to the people VINO
elected him and the cause he was pledged To sup
port has usurped high legislative and j-diciaI
functions. has refused to execute the laws. has
used his Ugh office to induce other officers 10 Ig
more and viuiate the laws. has employed his exc
cutiye powers TO render insecure the property,
peace liberty and lite of the citizen has abused
III { pard"ning power has denounced the national
IL glsiature MS unconstitutional has persstently
and corruptly resisted, by every measure in his
power. every proper attempt at the reconstruc-
ton of the states iarely in rebellion. has perver
tel the public patronage into au engine of whole
sale corruption, and has been justly impeached
for high crimes AMI misdem eu uors. and properly
pronounced guilty thereof by the vote of thirty
five Senators
rJpean powers. that. because man is once a sub
ject, he is always SO, must be resisted at every
hazard by the Uuited States relic of the fcu-
da times. authorized by he law of nations,
and with our national honor and indepen
dence Naturalized citizens entitled to be
protected in all their rights of citizenship a.
though they were natvc-born. and no citizen of
the United Stats, native 1T natuTalIZed must be
U
power for acts done OF words spoken in tn hiscuuu
[ try and if 80 arrested and I'm priSoned it is tn
duty of the government to interfere in his be
half
10 of all who were faithful in the trials of the
late war. there were none entitled TO more eSpe-
cial honor than the brave soldiers snd senmen
who endured the hardships of the cam Daign and
cruise. and imperiled their lives in the ice
of the country. The bOuuties and pensions pro-
vded by law for these brave defenders of the
tion Oblit ations never to be forgotten. The
widows and orphans of the gallant dead the
wards of the peUple-a sacred legacy beg ue3tE ed
to the nation protecting
1t. Foreign emi grafton. which in the past has
added so much TO the wealth. Development of re-
sources and Increase of power TO the nation
should be iostered and encouraged by liberial
and Just policy
| II This Convention declares its sympathy with
all oppressed peoples struggling tor their rights
l3 We highly recommend the spirit of mag
nanimity and forgiveness with which men who
have served the rebellion. but now frankly and
honestly co operate with in restoring the peace
! of the country and reconstruct! the Southern
| State Governments upon the basis of impartial
justice and equal rights are received back into
/ the communion of the loyal people, and we favor
| the remova of the disqualifcstions and resJric
| tions imposed upon the late ebe in the same
measure as the spirit of dsloyslty will direct and
as may be consistent with the safety OF the loya
| people.
IA We recognize the great principles laid dowI
/ in the immortal Declaration of Independence a:
the true foundation of b mOcTatc government
and We hail with gIadness every effort toward
max ing these principles living reality on every
inch of American soil