The Portland daily press., 1868-06-20
The Republican Platform.

The National Republican Party of the United
States, assembled in National Convention, in the
city Of Chicago. on The tDentieh day Of May 1868,
make the JotLscing declaration Of principles:
First We congratulate the ecountry on the assur-
ed success OF the reconstruction policy of Congress-
as evinced by the adoption by a majority of the
States lately in rebellion, of constitutions securing
equal civil and political rights to all. 1t is the duty
OF the government TO sustain these institutions and
10 prevent the people of such States from being re-
mitted to a state OF anarchy.
Second-The guarantee by Congress OF equal suff-
rage 10 all loyal men at the South was demanded by
every consideration of public safety, of gratitude,
and of justice, and must be maintained The whole
question of suffrage in the loyal States properly be-
longs to the people Of those States.
I Ihird-We denounce all forms of repudia ion as
national crime. The national honor requires 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 to the spirit OF the
law under which it was contracted.
Fourth-It is due to the labor of the nation that
taxation shall be equazed aud reduced as rapidly
as the national faith shall permit.
Fifth-The national debt contracted it has
been tor 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 reduce
the rate OF interest thereon whenever it can be hon.
estly dcne.
Sixth-The best policy to diminish our burden of
debt is to improve credit that capitalists will
seek to loan money at lower rates OF interest than
we pay, and must continue t pay so long as re-
pudiation partial total, open covert is threat
ened or suspected.
Seventh-'rhe government of the United States
should be administered with the strictest economy,
and the corruptions which have been so shamefully
nursed and fostered by Andrew johnson, call loudly
for radio al reform.
Eighth-We profoundly deplore the untimey and
tragic Heath OF Abraham Lincoln, and regret the
cessOn OF Andrew johnson to the presidency; who
has acted treacheTously to the people who elected
him and the cauce he was pledged to support; who
has ururpei high legislative and judicial functions;
who has refused to execute the laws; who has used
his high Office to induce other officers to ignore and
violate the laws; who has employer his executive
powers to render insecure the property, the peace,
the liberty and the life of the citizen; who has
abused the pardoning power; who has denounced
the national legislature as unconstitutional; who
has persistently and corruptly resisted by every
measure i'll his power every proper attempt at the
reconstruction OF the States lately in rebeliOn who
has perverted the public patronage into an engine OF
whOles ale corruption, ana who has Justly been I'M
peached for high crimes and msdemeanors and prop
ly pronounced guilty thereof by vote OF 30 Sena-
tors.
European powers, that because man is once sub
ject he is always so, must be resisted at every haz
ard by the United States as relic of the feudal
times, not authorized by the law of nations and at
war with ational honor and independence.
Naturalized citizens entitled to be protected in
all their rights OF citizenship though they were
native born; and no citizen of the United States
native naturaZ ID must be liable to arrest ana
Imprisonment by any foreign power for acts done or
words spoken in this country and If they are so ar
rested and imprisoned it the duty OF the govern
ment to interfere in their behalf.
Tenth-Of all who were faithful in the trials ol
the late war there were entitled to more special
honor than the brave soldiers and seamen who en-
dured the hardships of campaign and cruise and i'm
perlled their lives in the service Of the country
The bounties and pensions provided by law for these
brave defenders obligations to be forgot
| ten: the widows and orphans of the gallant dead
| oueathed to the nations fostering care.
Eleventh-Foreign emigration, which in the past
| mas added much to the wealth, development anG