The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-05-30
3jolitiraI.
The Republican National COnven.
ton.
The Platform.

The Platform.
The Committee on resolutions submitted tn
following report which was unanimously
adopted:
The national republican party Of the United
States, assembled in national convention, in The
CITY Of Chicago, on the Goth day of Nav, 1868
make the following declaration Of principles:
/. We congratulate the country on tho assured
success of the reconstruction policy of congress,
as evidenced by the adoption in majority of the
states lately in rebellion of constitutions securing
equal civil and political rights to all [applaues,
and regard it as the duty of the government to
sustain those institutions, and to prevent The peo-
pie of such states from being RENTED to state
of anarchy.
The guarantee by congress of equal suffrage to
all loyal men at the south was demanded by ev-
cry 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.
g. We denounce all forms of reputation as
a national crime and national honor requires
the payment of the public 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.
4. 1t is due to the labor of the nation that tax
atisn should be equalized and reduced as rapidly
as national faith will permit.
s The national debt, contracted as it has been
for the preservation of the union for all time to
come, should be extended over q fair period for
redemption, and it is the duty of congress to re-
duce the rate of interest thereon whenever it can
honestly be done.
6. That the best policy to diminish our bur-
den of debt is to so improve our credit that cap
italists will seek to loan money at lower rates
of interest! than we now pay, and must contin-
We to pay so long as Reputation, partial or total,
open or covert, is threatened or suspected.
2. The government Of the United States
should be administered with the strictest econo-
my; and the cerruptions which have been so
shamefully nursed and fostered by Andrew John
son call loudly for radical reform.
8. We profoundly deplore the sntimely and
tragic death Of Abraham Lincoln, and regret that
the accession of Andrew johnson to the presi-
dency, who has acted treacherously to the peo-
pie who elected him and the cause he was pledg-
ed to support has usurped high legislative and
judicial functions has refused to execute the
laws has used his high office to induce other
officers to ignore and violate the laws has EN-.
ployed his executive powers to render insecure
the property peace, liberty, and life of the cit-
zen; has abused the pardoning power; has de-
nounced the national legislature as uncolstitu-
tional has psrsistently and corruptly resisted,
by every means in his power, every proper at
tempt at the reconstruction of the states lately
in rebellion; has perverted the public patronage
into an engine of wholesale corruption and has
been Justly iInpeached for high crimes and mis-
demeanors, and properly pronounced guilty
thereof by the voice of 30 senators.
8. The doctrine of Great Britain and other
European powers, that because man is once
subject he is always So must be resisted at every
hazard by the United States as relic of the feu-
dial times, not authorized by the laws of nations,
and at war with our national honor and indie
pendence Naturalized 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 naturalizsd, must
be liable to arrest and imprisonment by any for
eign 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
TO- 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 sea-
men who endured the hardshps of campaigning
and cruise, and imperled their lives in the SER
vice Of the country. The bounties and pensions
provided by law for these brave defenders Of the
nation are obligations never to be forgotten The
widows and orphans Of the gallant dead are the
wards OF the peopls,-a sacred legacy bequeathed
to the nations protecting care.
added SO much to the wealth, development of
resources and increase of power to this nation,
the asylum Of the oppressed of all nations
should be fostered and encouraged by liberal
and just policy. -
II. This convention declares it's sympathy with
all the oppressed peoples which are struggling
for their rights.
On motion Of Gen. Carl Shurz, the following
additional resolutions were adopted:
Reso'ced. That we highly commend the spirit
OF magnanimity and forgiveness with which men
who have served the rebellion, but now frankly
and honestly cooperate with us in restoring the
peace of the country, and reconstructing the
southern state governments upon the basis Of i'm.
partial justice and equal rights, are received
BACK into the communion of the loyal people,
and we favor the removal Of the disqualifcations
and restrictions imposed upon the late rebels in
the same measure as the spirit of disloyalty will
die out, and as may be consistent with the safety
of the loyal people.
Reso!oed, That we recognize the great princi.
pie laid down in the immortal declaration of in.
dependence as the true foundation of democratic
government, and we hail with gladness every eff.
tort TOR, toward making these principles living re.
ality on every inch of American soil