The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-06-24
The Republican Platform

The National Republican Party Of the United
States, assembled IN National Conuention, in the
city of Chicago. The tarentieth day Of Mdy, 1865
make the foil aoing declaration Of principles:
First We congratulate the country on the assur-
ed success OF the reconstruction policy of Congress-
as evineed by the adoption by a majority OF the
States lately in rebellion, of constitutions securing
eqaal civil and political rights to ALL 1t is the duty
OF the government 10 sustain these institutions and
to prevent the people of such States from being re-
mitted to state OF anarchy.
Second-The guarantee by Congress OF equal suff-
rage TO all loyal men at the South demanded by
every consideration of public safety of gratitude,
question of suffrage in the loyal States properly be-
longs to the people of hose States
Ihird-We eenounce all forms Of repudia ion as
national crime The national honor requires the
payment of the public Indebtedness in the utmost
good fath to all creditors at home and abroad, not
only ding to the letter. but the spirit OF the
law under which it was contracted.
Fourth-It is due to the labor of the nation that
taxation shall be equalized and reduced as rapidly
as the national faith shall permit
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 Congress to reduce
the rate interest thereon whenever it be hon
e,tly dcne.
Sixth-The best policy to diminish our burden of
debt, is to 50 improve our credit, that capitalists will
seek to loan us money at lower rates ofinterest than
we pay, and must continue pay so long re-
pudiation partial total, open covert, is threat
Seventh-rhe government of the United States
should be administered with the strictest economy,
and the corruplions which have been so shamefully
nursed and fostered by Andrew Johnson call loudly
for radical reform.
Eighth.-we- profoundly deplore the untimey and
tragic death OF Abraham Lincoln, and regret the ac-
cession OF Andrew johnson to tie presidency; who
has acted treacherously to the people who elected
him and the cause 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 employ ed his executive
mowers to render insecure the the
| 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 attemnt at the
reconstruction OF the States lately in rebellion; who
has perverted the public patronage into engine
wholes ale corruption, ana who has justly been i'm
peached for high crimes and misdeme and prop
ly pronounced guilty thereof by vote OF 30 Sena-
| tors.
| Ninth-The doctrine of Great Britain and other
| European powers, that because man is once sub
jec he is always So must be resisted at every haz-
| ard by the United States relic of the feudal
times not authorized by the law of nations and al
| with our atlonal honor and independence
Naturalized citizens are entitled to be protected in
all their rights OF citizenship though they were
| native born; and no citizen of the United States
| native or naturalzed must be liable to arrest and
Imprisonment by any foreign power for acts done
words spoken in this country and if they are so ar
rested and imprisoned it is the duty OF the govern
ment to interfere in their behalf.
Tenth-Of all who were faithful in the trials o
the late war there were entitled to more speca
honor than the trave soldiers and seamen who en-
dured the hardships Of campaign and cruise and i'm
perilled their lives in the service of the country
The bountes and pensions provided by law for thes
brave defenders are obligations never to be forgot
ten; the widows and orphans of the gallant dea
the wards of the people-a sacred legacy be
queathed to the nations fostering care
Eleyenth-Foreign emigration, which in the pas
resources, and the increase of power to this nation
the asylum OF the oppressed Of all nations, shoul