Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-05-29
The Platform of the Radical Party.

The National Republican party of the
United States assembled in National Con-
vention in the city OF Chicago on the Doth
day OF May, 1868, make the following de-
claration of principles:
First. - We congratulate the country on
the assured success of the reconstruction
policy of Congress as evinced by the adop-
ton in the majority of the States lately in
rebellion of constitutions securing equal
civil and political rights to all ; and it is
the duty of the Government to sustain
those institutions and to prevent the peo-
| pie of those States from being RENTED to
a state of anarchy.
Sscond-The guarantee by Congress of
equal suffrage to all loyal men at the South
was demanded by every consideration of
public safety. of gratitude, and of justice,
and must be maintained while the ques
ton Of suffrage in all the loyal States pro-
perly belongs to the people of those States.
| 7Hird-We delounce all forms OF repu-
diation as a national crime, and the nation
al honor requires the payment OF the pub
lie Indebtedness 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 it was contracted.
| Fourth. 1t is due to the labor of the ma
ton that taxation should be equalized and
reduced as rapidly as the national faith will
permit.
Fyfh.--The national debt, contracted, as
it has beon, for the preservation of the
Union for all time to come, should be ex-
tended over fair period for redemption !;
and it is the duty of Congress to reduce the
rate of interest thereon whenever it can be
honestly done.
iSirtA.-That the best policy to diminish
our burden of debt is to so improve our
III: oh TO Loo
| 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.
Secenh. government of the United
States should be administered with the
strictest economy, and the corruptions
which have been 40 shamefully nursed and
fostered by Andrew johnson call loudly for
radical reform.
EightR.-We profoundly deplore the un-
timely and tragic death of Abraham Lin
coin, and regret the accession of Andrew
Johnson to the Presidency, who has acted
reacherously to the people who elected
him and the cause he was pledged to sup
port who has usurped high Legislative and
judicial functions who has refused to ex-
cute the laws who has employed his exec
utive powers to render insecure the pro-
perty, the peace. liberty and life of the
citizens who has abused the pardoning
! power who has denounced the National
| Legislature as unconstitutional; who has
persistently and corruptly resisted, by
every measure In his power, every proper
attempt at the reconstruction of the States
lately in rebellion; who has perverted the
| public patronage into an engine of whole
sale corruption, and who has been justly
| Dpeached for high crimes and mlsdemean
ors, and properly pronounced guilty there
of by the vote of thirty five senators.
| Ninth.-The doctrine of Great Britain
and other European powers that because a
man is once subject he is always SO must
be resisted at every hazard by the United
States, as a relic of the feudal times, not
authorized by the law Of nations, and at
war with our national honor and indepen
dence. Naturalized citizens are entitled to
| be protected in all their rights of citizen
ship as though they were native-born, and
no citizen of the United States, native or
naturalized, must be liable to arrest and
| Imprisonment by any foreign power for
acts done or words spoken in this country;
and if so arrested and imprisoned, it is the
duty of the Government to interfere in his
behalf.
Tenh.-Of all who were faithful in the
trials of the late war there were none emit
tied to more especial honor than the brave
soldiers and seamen who endured the hard
ships of campaign and cruise, and imper-
| illed their lives in the service of their
country the bounties and pensions pro-
vided by the laws for these brave defend
ers of the nation are obligations never to be
forgotten the widows and orphans of the
gallant dead are the wards of the people
sacred legacy bequeathed to the nation 8
protecting care.
E7eren.h.-ForeIgn emigration, which,
in the past, has added so much to the
wealth, development, and resources and
increase of power of this nation, the asy-
lum of the oppressed of all nations, should
be fostered and encouraged by q liberal
and just policy.
| Twelfh.-This Convention declares itself
in sym pathy with all the oppressed people
which are struggling for their rights.
| ADDITIONS TO THE CHICAGO PLATFORM.
| After the Regular platform had been
adopted, the following resolutions were
passed
"Resolued, That we highly commend the spirit
of m nanimity and forgiveness with which the
men WHO have served in the rebellion-but
who now frankly and honestly co. operate with US
in restoring the peace OF the cOuntry and recon
s,ructing the southern State governments upon
the basis of impartial justice and equal rights
| are received back into the commission OF loyal
people, and favor the removal OF the disquali.
fcation and restrictions imposed upon the late
rebels in the same measure as their spirit OF 10y
atty will direct, and may be consistent with the
safety of the 10y al people.
"ResoBred, That we recognize the great prin.
| ciples laid down in the Immortal Declaration OF
Independence as the true foundation OF Demo
cratic government, and hail with gladness
every effort toward making these principles a
living reality on every inch of American SOIL
| From the Greensboro (Geo.) Herald
| Address of the White People of Greene Co.
Georgia, to the Colored People of the same
| County.
We white people wish to say few things
To Won black naOnla who were onr former