Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1868-05-29
The Soldiers Platform.


On Tuesday, the day before the assem-
bly, of the National Union Republican
Convention, the Soldiers and Sailors of
the Grand army of the Republic assem-
bled in National Council, at Chicago,
and adopted the following resolutions:
Resolued, 1. That we deem that the
Union League of America is of impor
tance to the success of the Republican
party and to the maintenance of loyalty,
liberty and equal rights in the Union,
and urge its being vigorously sustained
and recognized in all States as the right
arm of the Union party.
2. That we pledge the loyal people,
North and South, to uphold, protect and.
defend the loyal people South from in
furious oppression and assassination,
and to this end we will use all the means
in our power, even the resort to arms, if
requested, in defence of their right to
" life, liberty and the pursuit of happi-
ness"
3. That we would express our high
appreciation of the sublime patience, for
bearance and magnanimity Of the ne
groes of the South, and their devotion as
soldiers throughout to the Union during
the war of the rebellion, and of their hear
ty loyalty, zeal and becoming department
since, showing that under all eircumstan-
ces in which they have been placed they
have justified reposing in their hands the
highest boon of an American citizen, the
ballot, and illustrate that it is eminently
wise and always safe to act with equity
and justice to all men, without regard to
race or color.
A. That impartial suffrage is cardi-
nal principal of the Republican party,
and should not be abandoned, and that
we urge upon the several States, and up
on Congress, the adoption of such meas
ures as will secure the right of suffrage
to every American citizen impartially.
5. That we fully indorse the action
of Congress, and consider that the hour
is past for hesitation, compromises and
leniency toward those who support and
defend traitors and endeavor to restore
them to power, and that the loyal people
of the country are unanimous in the SEN
timent that all who defy and trample
under foot the acts of Congress for the
maintenance of the principles our gallant
soldiers and sailors fought and died to
secure, ought to be hurled from power
by the use of every loyal and constitu.
tional means that can be devised; and
that any man, whoever he may be, who
has been recreant to his duty in securing
this failed to meet the expectations o.
} the loyal people of the country, and will
be marked by men, and well deserve the
indignation he SO richly merits, and will
be denounced in thunder tones as an un
worthy servant whose place should bt
filled by true patriot; and we especial
, ly feel called upon to condemn the trai
torous conduct of Senator's who disap
point the hopes of every loyal heart il
the land in voting for the acquittal o
, Andrew johnson, whom they know to b.
guilty of the crime charged, and deserted
J their country in the hour of its peril, anc
we class them with those traitors to thei
party and country, Cowan, Dixon, Doc
, little and Andrew johnson, with the as
, surance that the traitors doom await
them.
6. That we respectfully recommend
, to the Union National Convention tn,
nomination of that tried soldier, judiciou
! man and reliable loyalist, Ulysses S
J Grant, for President, and of an undoubt
ed republican and proved experienced
, statesman for Vice President. Witt
, such men we feel confident Of victory, a
: our cause is eminently that of truth, jus
tice and equal rights, and must be ap
3 proved.