The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-06-15
The Republican Platform.

The National Republican Party of the United
States, assembled in National Conuention, d. the
city of Chicago the Twentieth day of May, 1868
make the Jotcaoing declaration Of principles:
First We congratulate thecountry on the assur-
ed success OF the reconstruction policy of Congress
as evinced by the adoption by majority of the
States lately in rebellion of constitutions securing
equal civil and political rights to ALL 1t is the dny
of the government TO sustain these institutions and
to prevent the people of such States from being re-
mitted to a state OF anarchy. -iaI5
Second-The guarantee by Congress OF equal suff-
rage to all loyal men at the South was demanded by
every consideration of public safety, of gratitude
and fjustice, and must be maintained. The whole
question of suffrage in the loyal States properly be-
longs to the people Of those States.
1hird-We denounce all forms of repuda ion as
national crime. The national honor requires the
payment Of the public Indebtedness in the utmost
good aith to all creditors at home and abroad not
only according to the letter, but to the spirit OF the
law under which 1t 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
Fifth-The national debt, contracted as it has
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 of Congress to reduce
the rate Of interest thereon whenever it can be hon
estly done.
Sixth-The best policy to diminish burden OF
debt is to so improve credit that capitalists will
seek to loan money at lower rates OF interest than
pay, and must continue t. pay so long as re-
pudaon partial or total open or covert, is threat
ened or suspected. II. s-
SeVenth-Ihe government OF the Un1teQ Statee
should be administered with the strctest economy,
and the corrupti0ns which have been so shamefuIy
nursed and fostered by Andrew johnson, call loudly
for a radical reform, u
Eighth.-We profoundly deplore the untimely and
tragic death OF Abraham Lincoln and regret the ac-
cession of Andrew johnson to the presidency; who
has acted treacherously to the people who elected
him and the cause he was pledged to support; who
has ururpe1 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 employed his executive
powers to render insecure the property, the peace
tine 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 in his power every proper attempt at the
reconstruction OF the States lately in rebellion who
has perverted the public patronage into engine Of
wholesale corruption, and who has justly been i'm
peached for high crimes and misdemeanors and prop
ly pronounced guilty theseof by vote OF 80 Sena-
tors.
European powers, that because a man is once sub
ect he is always So must be resisted at every haz
| ard by the United States u relic OF the feuda
times not authorized by the law of nations and al
war with our rational honor and independence
Naturaized citizens 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 naturalzed must be liable to arrest and
imprisonment by any foreign power for acts done OF
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 specla
honor than the trave soldiers and seamen who en-
dured the hardshps of campaign AMI cruise ana I'M
perilled their lives in the service OF the country
The bounties and pensons provided by law for these
brave blenders are obligations never TO De forgot.
| ten; the widows and orphans of the gallant dead
| are the wards of the people-a sacred legacy be-
| dueathed to the nations fostering care:
Eleventh-Foreign emigration, which in the past
mas added SO much to the wealth, development and