The Montana post., 1868-10-23
OUEt PLATFORM.

Unanimously adopted by the National
Union Republican Conveution-at Chicago
MAY 2lst, 1865.
First. We congratulate the country on the
assured success of the reconstruction projects
OF Congress. A. eyinced by the adoption, In
majority of the States lately in rebellion, Of
constitutions securing equal civil and politi-
cal rights TO all, and regard lt as the duty %
the Government 20 sustain these constitutions
and 20 prevent the people of such states from
being reWitted 60 a state of anarchy.
Second The guarantee of Congress of equal
suffrage u all loyal men at the South was de-
tnanded by every consideration of public
safety, of gratitude, and o. Justice, and must
be maintained. while the question of suffrage
In all the loyal States properly belongs TO the
people OF those States.
Third. We denounce all forms of repudia-
alton a national crime, and national honor
requires the payment of the public indebted
ness IN the utmost good faith TO all creditors,
at home and abroad, not only according to
the letter but the spirit Of the laws under
which II was contracted.
Fourth. Il is due TO the labor of the nation
that taxation should be egualized, and redu-
ced as rapidly ms the national faith will per
mic.
Fifth. The national debt, contracted as it
has been for the preservation of the Union
tor all time to come, should be extended over
a fair period for redemption, and it is the duty
oi Congress To reduce the rates of interest
thereon wbeneve- it can possibly be dove
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 pay, and
must continue TO pay so long rs repudiation,
partial OF total, open OF covert, Is threatened
or suspected
Seventh. The government of the United
States should be administered th the strict
est economy, and the corruptions which have
aft4II Cd Nd -,
Andrew Johnson call loudly for radical re-
form
Eight. We profoundly deploEe the untimely
and tragic death OF Abraham Lincoln, and
regret the accession of Andrew johnson TO
the Presidency, who has acted treaeherously
10 the people who elected him and the cause
he WAS pledged 60 support has usurpei leg
Islatiye and judicial functions has refused TO
execute the laws has used his high Office TO
induce other officers to ignore and violate the
avs has employed his executive power to
render Insecure the property, peace, liberty
and life of the citizens has abused the par
jouiuC power, has denounced the National
Legislature as unconstitutional has persist
emily and corruptly resisted, by every means
"a his power, every proper attempt At the
reCons tructIou of the States lately In rebel
lion has perverted the public patronage into
an engine of Wholesale corruption, and has
been Justly impeached for high crimes and
miSdemeanorsy and properly pronounced
guilty 10y the votes Of thIrty-fve Senators.
Ninth The doctrine of Great Britain and
other European powers, that because man
5 obce a subject he is always so, must be re-
sisted az every hazard by the United States as
"a relic of the lsudal times, not authorized by
the law Of nations and at war with our ma
tIonal honor and Independence. Naturalized
citizens are entitled To be protected in all
their rights OF citizenship as though they
we're native born, and no citizen of the United
States, native OF naturaliEeC, must he liable
30 arTsst and Imprisonment by any foreign
power for acts done or words spoken In this
country. Aud 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
aud Seamen who endured the hardships of
campaign aud 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 o5li-
cations never TO be forgotten. The widows
and orphans of the gallant dead are the wards
of the people, a sacred legacy bequeathed to
the nations protecting care.
Eleventh. Foreign immigration, which in
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 a liberal and Just policy.
pathy with all oppressed people who are
struggling for their rights
On motion of Gen. Carl Schurz, the follow
ing additional resolutions were unanimously
adopted part of the platform
Resolved, That We highly commend the
spirit Of msgnanimity and fOrbearance with
which the men who have served IN the rebel
lien, but now frankly and honestly cooperate
with Us in restoring the peace OF the country
aud reconStructIng the Southern State gov
ernmeuts upon the basis of impartial justice
and equal rights. are received back into the
communion Of the loyal people and we favor
the removal of the disgualifcations and re-
strictions imposed upon the late rebels in the
same measure. AS the spirit Of disloyalty will
die out, and rs may be consistent with the
safety Of the loyal people.
Resolved, That We recognize the great
principles laid down in the immortal Declara-
ration Of ofIndependence as the true foundation
OF Democratic government, and we hail with
g4adness every effort toward making these
.rnciplss living reality on every inch of
American soil.