Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-07-24
Our Platform.

The National Union Republican party OF the
United states; assembled in National Convention IN
the city Oh Cnieago. ON the Goth day of May, 1863
make the following declaration of principles:
l. we congratulate the country on the assured
success Of tne reconstruction policy OF as
evidenced by the adoption in amajorty of the states
lately in Rebellion of constitutions securing equal
civil and political rights to ALL and regard it as the
auty Q, she government to sustain these consuu
tons ana prevent the people of such states from be-
ing RENTED to state of anarchy or misrule.
q Inc guarantee by Congress OF equal suffrage
TO all loyal men IN the south. was demanded by
every consideration Of public safety, of gratitude
ana OF Justce, and must be maintained while the
question OF suffrage in all the loyal states properly
belongs 70 the people of those states.
g. That we recognize the great principles laid
down in the Declaration of Independence as the
true foundation of democratic government, and we
principles living reality on every inch of Ameri-
can soil.
4 That we highly commend the spirit of mag
nanimity and forgiyness with which the men who
have served the rebellion and who are new frank
ly and honestly cooperating with us in restoring
the peace of the country and il reconstructng the
Southern state governments upon the basis of inn
partial justice and equal rights are received back
into the communion of the loyal people, and that
we are in favor of the removal of the disqualified
tons and restrictions imposed upon the late rebels
in the same measure the spirit of disloyalty dies
out and as may be consistent with the safety of the
loyal people.
national crme and national honor requires the pay
ment of the national indebtedness in the utmost
good faith to our creditors at home and abroad not
only according to the letter. but the spirit of the
laws under which il was contracted.
6. 1t is due TO the labor of the nation that taxa
ton should equalized and reduced as rapidly as ma
tional faith will permit
Z. The national debt contracted as 1t has been
for the preservation of the Union for all time to
come, should be extended fair period for re-
demption and il is the duty of Congress to reduce
the rate of interest thereon. whenever it can be
honestly done
g. That the best policy 10 diminish our burden
OF debt is to improve our credit that capitalists
will seek to lend money at lower rates of inter
est than we now pay, and must continue to pay,
as long as reputation partial or total open or
covert is threatened or suspected.
9. The government of the United States should
be administered with the strictest economy. The
corruptions which have been so ahamefully nursea
and fostefed BY Andrew Johnson call loudly Tor a
radical reform.
10 We profoundly deplore the untimely and
tragic death of Abraham Lincoln and regret the ac-
eession of Andrew Johnson to the Presidency who
has acted treachernusly 10 the people who elected
him and the cause he was pledged to support, has
usurped high Legislative judicial functions has re-
fused to execute the laws; has used his high once
TO induce other officers 10 violate the laws; has en-
ployed his executive power TO render insecure, the
lives property peace liberty and life OF the CITIZEN
has abused the pardoning power; has denounced
the National Legislature sas unconstitutional; has
porsstently and habituaiy resisted by every means
in his power, every proper attempt at the recon-
struction of the states lately in rebellion; has per-
verted the public patronage into an engine Of whole
sale corruption and has been Justly impeached for
high crimes and misdemeanors, and properly pro-
nounced guilty thereof by the votes OF thirty-hve
Senators.
IL. The doctrine of Great Britain and other En-
ropean powers, that because man is once sub
iect he is always So must be resisted at every nag
ard 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 apd Independence
Naturalzed citizens entitled to be protected in
all their rights Of citizenship. though they were
native born. No citizen OF the United States, native
or naturazed DO 1iaplS arrest OF ilIipGtsur
ment By any foreign power for acts done or words
spoken in this country; ana II so arrested ana I'M
prisoned it is the duty Of the government to inter-
fere in his behalf
IL. OF all who were faithful in the trials OF the
late war there were none entitled to more especial
honor than the brave soldiers and seamen who en-
dured the hardships of the camp and cruise, and
in1peTiled their lives in the service Of the country
The bounties and pensions provided BY law tor
these brave defenders of the Union 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 nations protecting
care.
Is. Foreign immigration, which In the past has
added so much TO the wealth, development Of re-
sources and increase of power of this republic, the
asylum OF the oppressed OF all nations, should be
fostered and encouraged by liberal and just policy.
Ii. This Convention tenders its sympathy to all
the oppressed people which are struggling Tor their
rights.