The Montana post., 1868-10-02
OUR PLATFORM.

Unanimously adopted by the National
Union Republican CouventiOu-at Chicago
MAY 2lst, ISGS.
FIrst. We congratulate the country on the
assured success Of the reconstruction projects
DT Congress. rs evinced by the adoption, in n
majority of the States lately in rebellion, of
constitutions securing equal civil and polIti-
Cal rights to all, and regard II as the duty of
the Government TO sustain these constitutions
and to prevent the people of such states from
being RENTED TO state of anarchy.
Second. The guarantee Of Congress of equal
suffrage TO all loyal men at the South was de-
manded by every consideration Of public
safety. of gratitude, and OF 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 deuouuce all forms of repudia-
alton n 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 IL was contracted.
Fourth. Ii is due TO the labor Of the nation
that ta xation should be equalized, and relu-
Crd as rapidly as the national faith viii per
nit.
Fifth. The national debt, contracted as it
has been for the preservation Of the Union
foraIl time to come, should be extended over
a fair period for redemption and it Is the duty
0i Congress % reduce the rates Of interest
thereon whenever it can possibly be done.
Sixth. Tint the best policy to diminish our
burden of debt IL 70 so improve our credit
that capitalists will seek to loan rs money at
lower rates Of interest than we now pay, and
must continue TO pay so long as reputation,
partial or total, open or covert, Is threatened
or suspected
seventh. The government of the United
States should be administered tn the strict
CsU economy, and the corruptions which have
been so shaInefully nursed and fostered bv
Andrew Johnson call loudly for radical re-
form.
Eight. We profoundly depIore the untimely
and tragic death of Abraham Lincoln. and
regret the accession of Andrew johnson to
the Presidency, who has acted treacherously
20 the people who elected him and the cnuse
be was pledged TO support /; has usurped leg
islatiye and judicial functions : has refused to
execute the laws has used his high ofice To
induce other officers TO ignore aud violate the
avs has employed his executive power to
render insecure the property, peace, liberty
and hfe Of the citizens has abused the par
duuing power, has denounced the National
LEGISLATURE as unconstitutional has persist
emily and corruptly resisted, by every means
IN has power, every proper attempt at the
reconstruction 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
misdemeanor, and properly pronounced
guilty by the votes of thIrty-fve Senators.
Ninth. The doctrine of Great Britain and
other European powers, that because a man
once a subject be is always SO, must be re-
sisted at every hazard by the United States as
a relic cf the fsudal times, not authorized by
the law of nations and at with our na-
tional honor and Independence. NaturaliEed
citizens are entitled TO be protected IN all
their rights Of citizenship as though they
were native born, and no citizen of the United
states native or nhturHllEeL, must be liable
to arrest and imprisonment by any foreign
power for acts done or words spoken In this
country. And if 80 arrested and impris ed,
IL 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 hone entitled to
more especial honor than the brave soldiers
and seamen who endured the hardshiIs of
campaign and 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 wa rds
of the people, 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.
Twelfth. This convention declares its SYM
lelAIN Win III blHEFSrFN kN1lAe Wno
struggling Tor their rights
On motion OF Gen. Carl Schurz. the follow
ing additional resolutions we're unanimously
adopted part of the platform
Resolved, That we highly commend the
spirit of magnanimity and fOrbearance with
which the men who have served In the rebel
lion, but now frankly aud honestly co-oPerate
with Us IN restoring the peace OF the country
and reConstructing the Southern state gov
ernmeuts upon the basis Of impartial justice
and equal nights. are received back into the
communion Of the loyal people ana we favor
the removal of the disqualiications and re-
strictiOns imposed upon the late rebels in the
same mensure.as the spirit Of disloyalty will
die out, and as may be consistent with the
safety Of the loyal people.
Resolved, That We recognise the great
principles laid down in the immortal DeclarA-
ration Of Independence as the true foundation
OF Democratic government, and We-hail with
E ladness every edu-t toward making these
Hneiples a :, -iAE reality on every inch Of
American soil.