The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-08-29
slational Republican.
The Republican Platform.


The following platform, reported BY the
Committee on Resolutions. was unanimously
adopted by the National Republican ConVen'
ton in session at Chicago on the 2lst inst:
The National Republican party Of the Uni
ted States, assemble in National Convention
in the city of Chicago on the goth Day oil Nay
1858, make the following declaration oil pfinci-
pies
First-Wo congratulate the country on the
assured success Of the reconstruction policy
of Congress as evinced by the adoption, In
majority of the States lately in rebellion, Of
Constitutions securing equal civil and political
rights to ALL and regard 1t as the duty Of the
Government to sustain these irstitutions, and
to prevent the people Of such States from be-
ing RENTED to u state of Huarcby.
Second-The guarantee u 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 tie question Of suffrage
in all the loyal States properly belongs to the
people of those S,Ates,
Third-We denuuncc all forms Of repuda-
ton ms a national crime, and the national honor
requires the payment of the public indebted
ness in the utmost good faith to all CREDITOR,
at home and abroad, not only according to
the letter but the spirit Of the laws under
which 1t was contracted.
Fourth--It Is due to the labor Of the nation
tuut kuAhtlOu kuOulu anu teuuCeu
rs rapidly rs the national faith will permit.
Fith-The national debt, contracted as IL
has been for the preservation Of tho Union for
all time TO come, should be extended over fair
period for redemption, and II Is the duty Of
Congress to reduce the rate Of interest there.
on whenever it can possibly be done.
Sixth-Thst the best policy TO diminish our
burden of debt 10 to so improve our credit
that capitalists will seek TO loan US money at
lower rates Of interest than we now pay, and
must continue to pay SO long as population,
partial or total, open or covert, Is threatened
VI suspected,
Seventh-The Government Of the United
States should be administered with the strict
est economy, aud the corruptions which have
been so shamefully nursed and fostered by
Andrew johnson call loudly for radical reform.
Eighth-We profoundly deplore the untimely
and tragic death Of Abraham Lincoln, and re-
greet the accession Of Andrew johnson to the
Presidency, who has acted treacherously to the
people who elected him and the cause he
was pledged to support has usurped legisla-
live and Judicial functions; has refused to ex.
ccUte the laws has used his high office to in.
duce other officers to ignore and violate the
laws has employed his executive power to
render insecure the prosperity, peace, liberty
and life Of the citizens; has abused the par
doning power has denounced the National
Legislature as unconstitutional; has persis.
tcntly and corruptly resisted, by every means
in his power, every proper attempt at the re.
construction ofthc States lately in rebellion;
has perverted the public patronage into an
engine OF Wholesale corruption, and has been
Justly impeached for high crimes and INSIDE
meanors, and properly pronounced guilty by
the votes of thirty five Senators
Ninth-The doctrine OF Great Britain and
other European powers, that because 4 man lie
once u subject be Is always so, must be resist
.l n p--pFv h1z I'D nv the nital at
relic Of he feulal times, not authorized by
the Jaw Of nations and at war with our ma
tional honor and independence. Naturalized
ictizens are entitled to be protected In all their
rights Of citizenship as though they were ma
tivc-bOrn, and no citizen Of the United States,
native or naturalized, must be liable IN ar
rest and imprisonment by any foreign power
for acts done or words spoken in this country.
And if 80 arrested and imprisoned, 1t Is the
duty Of the Government to interfere in his be.
half
Tenth-Of all who were faithful 10 the trials
OF the late war there were none entitled to
more especial honor than the brave soldiers
and seamen who endured the hardships of
campaign and cruise, AMI imperiled their
lives in the service Ofthe country. The boun-
ties and pensions provided by law for these
brave defenders Of the nation are obligations
never to be forgotten. The widows and or
phans Of the gallant dead are tho wards Of the
people, sacred legacy bequeathed to the ma.
tiOns protecting care.
Eleventh-Foreign emigration, which in
the past has added so much to the wealth and
development Of the resources and the increase
of power Of this nation, 'the asylum Of the
oppressed Of all nations" should be fostered
and encouraged by liberal and just policy.
Twelth-This convention declares its gym
patty with all the oppressed people who are
struggling for their rights.
In m rF Ca L. f,l
lowing additional resolutions were unauimouss
ly adopted as part Of the platform,
Resolved, That We highly commend the
spirit of magnamimity and forbearance with
which the men who have served in the rebel.
lion, but now frankly and honestly cooperate
with US in restoring the peace Of the country
and reconstructing the Southern State Gov
ernments upon the basis Of impartial justice
ard equal rights are received back into the
communion Of the loyal people; and We favor
the removal Of the disqualifcntions and re-
strictons imposed upon the late rebels In the
same measure as their spirit Of loyalty will
iirect, and as may be consistent with tie
safety Of the loyal people.
Rtsolped, That we recognise the great prin.
ciples laid down in the immortal Declaration
of Independence as the true foundation Of
democratic government and we hail with
galRess every effort toward making these
principles living reality on every inch of the
American soil.
GRANT MD ,yLFAN-THEIR LETTERS or AC-
rEFrASCE-THE PLATFORM ENDORSED.
The following ure the letters Of General Gran
and Hon. Schuyler Colfax, accepting the nomi.
nation for the Presidency aud Vice Presidency
Of the United States by the Republican Ma
tiOnal Convention:
WASHINGTON, D. c., May 20, 1868.
Gen. Ig'cph r. HaWisy, PyeNrdsnt National
tHtom RPWbIicaH Communicable formally
accepting tho nomination of the National
Union Republican Convention, of the 2Ist Of
May instant, 1t seems proper that soma state.
ment of views beyond the mere acceptance Of
the Eomiuation should be expressed.
The proceedings Of the Convention were
marked with wisdom, moderation and patr.
"tsmr and believe express the feelings Of the
great mass Of those who sustained the country
through its recent trials. endorse their re
Sn.utions. II elected to the clhce Of Presi.
dent Of the United States, 1t will be my en-.
denyor to administer all tho laws in good faith,
with economy and with the view Of giving
peace, quiet and protection everywhere. In
times like the present it is impossible or, at
'east, omineutly improper, to lay down poll
cy 70 be adhered to, right or wrong, through
an characterization of four years. New polit.
al Issues, not ioreseen, are constantly arising;
tie views Of the public on old ones are con.
'thntly changing, AMI purely administrative
"'hcer should always be left free to execute
'ht viii OF the people IRlwAys have respected