The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-07-04
The Republican Platform.

The National Republican Party Of the United
States ass mbied in National tonvention, in the
city Of Chicago on ihe taceRtieh day Of May, 1865
make the Jotts1cin1 declaration Of principles:
First We congratulate becountry on the assur-
ed success OF the reconstruction policy of Congress
| as evinced by the adoption by a minority OF the
States LATELY in rebellion, of constitutions securing
eq a civil and political rights 10 all. 1t is the du
OF the government 10 sustain these Institutions and
TO prevent the people such States from being re-
| mitted to state OF anarchy.
| SecOnd-The guarantee by Congress of equal suff-
rage 10 all loyal men at the South demanded by
every G nsideration of public safety, of gratitude,
question Of suffrage 10 the loyal States properly be-
longs to the people of hose States.
| 1hird-We denounce all forms OF repudia ion as a
natlonal CRIME. rhe national honor requires the
payment Of the public Indebtedness in the utmost
go9a aith to all creditors at home and abroad, not
only acco ding to the letter, but the spirit OF the
law under which it was contracted.
Fourth-lt Is due to the labor of the nation that
taxation shall be equalizel aud reduced as rapidly
as ne national faith shall permit.
F1tth-The national debt, contracted as it has
been Tor the preservation OF the Union for all time
to come, should be extended over fair period for
redemption, and it i the duty Congress TO reduce
the rate OF interest thereon whenever it lie hon.
tly dcne.
Sixth-The best policy to diminish our burden of
uep is to so improve credit that capitalists will
seek 10 loan us money lower rates interest than
we now pay, and must continue pay long as re-
ad M partial or tota open or covert, is threat
Seventh-rhe government of the United States
SHOuiu Oe administered with the Strctest
and the corruptions which have been so shamefuliy
nurs-d and fostered by Andrew johnson, call LOUDLY
for a radit al reform.
Eighth.-We profoundly depiore the untimely and
tragic death OF Abraham Lpcoln ana regret the ac-
cession of Andrew johnson to the presidency; who
has acted treacherousy to the people who elected
him and the cause he was pledged to support who
has ururpe high legislative and judicial functions
who has REUSED to execute the laws; who has used
his high office to induce other officers to ignore
Vlo a'e the laws: who has employ ed his executive
powers to render insecure the property, the peace
the liberty and the life of the citizen; who has
abused the pardoning powers whJ has denounced
the national legislature as Unconstitutional; who
mas persistently and corruptly resisted by every
meas ure IN his power every proper attemnt at the
has perverted the public patronage into engine of
wholesale corruption, ana who as Justly been i'm
peached for high crimes and misdemt and prop
~ pronounced guilty thereof by vote OF So Sena-
Ninth-The doctrine of Great Britain and other
european powers that because man is once sub
Iect he is always So must be resisted at every haz-
ard by the United States as a relic of the feudal
times. not authorized by the law OF nations anu at
war with our atlonal honor and Independence
Naturazed citizens are entitled to be protected i'm
all their rights OF citizenship as though they
native born; and no citizen OF the United States
native or naturalIz d, must be liable and
impsisonment by any foreign power for acts done
words sncken in this country and il they are
rested and imprisoned il is the duty OF the govern
ment to interfere in their behalf.
Tenth Of all who were faithful in the trials of
the late war there were none entitled special
honor than the trave soldiers and seamen who en-
dured the hardshps of campaign and cruise and I'M
perilled their lives in the service of the country
The bounties and pensions provided by law for these
brave eenders are obligations never to be forgot
ten; the widows and orphans of the gallant dead
are the wards of the peope-a sacred legacy be-
queathed to the nations foster, ng care.
Eleventh-Foreign emigration, which in the past
has a ded 50 much to the wealth, development and
resources and the increase of power to this nation
the asylum of the oppressed of all nations, should
be fostered and encouraged by liberal and just
policy.
Tweltth-Ths convention declares itself in sympa-
thy with all the oppressed peoples which strug-
Cling for their rights.
Unanimously added, motion OF Gen. Scharz
Resotued, That we highly commend tn spirit of
magnanim;ty and iorbearance with which men who
have st rived in the Rebellion, but who frankly
and honestly cooperate with in restoring the peace
OF the country and rec0nstructing the Southern
STATE governments upon he bas Of Impartial JUS
uce and Equal Rights, are received back into the
communion of the loyal people; and we iavor the
movai OF the disqua eations and est lotions impos-
ed upon the late Rebe in the same measure their
spirit of loyalty will direct, and may be consistent
with the safe.y OF the loyal people.
Resolved That we recognize the great principles
laid down in The immortal Declaration OF Independ-
enee, as the true foundation of democratic govern
ment; ami we hail with gadness every effort towards
making these principles a living reality every
inch of American Soil.