The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-08-31

The following platform, reported BY tns
Committee on Resolutions, was unanimously
adopted by the National Republican conven'
tion In session at Chicago on the 2ist inst:
The National Republican party of the Uni.
tod States, assembled In National Convention
in the city of Chicago on the goth day OF May
1868, make the following declaration oil prinoi'
pies:
First-we congratulate the country on the
assured success Of the reconstruction policy
Of Congress, as evinced by the adoption, 10 a
majority Of the States lately In rebellion, OF
Consultations securing equal civil and political
rights to all, and regard 1t as the duty Of the
Government to sustain these institutions, and
to prevent the people of su Oh States from bo-
ing RENTED to 4 state Of nuarchy.
Second-The guarantee OF Congress Of equal
suffrage to all loyal men at the south was
demanded by every consideration Of public
safety, Of gratitude and OF justice, aud mu't
be maintained, while the question OF suffrage
in all the loyal States properly belongs to the
people of those States.
Third-We denounce all forms Of repudia.
ton as a national crime, and the national honor
requires the payment Of the public indebted
ness 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.
Fourth-It Is due 70 the labor Of the nation
that taxation should be equaliied, and reduced
as rapidly as the national faith will permit.
Ffth-The national debt, contracted as II
has been for the preservation Of the Union for
all time to come, should be extended over fair
period for rsdsmpion, and II Is the duty Of
Congress 70 reduce the rate Of interest there.
on whenever II can possibly be done.
Sixth-That the best policy 10 diminish our
burden Of debt Is to 90 improve our credit
that capitalists will seek to loan rs money at
lower rates Of interest than We now pay, and
must continue to pay SO long as rspudiation,
partial or total, open or covert, Is threatened
Or suspected,
seventh-The Government Of the United
States should DO administered with the strict
est economy, and the oorruptions which have
been so shamefully nursed and fostsred BY
Andrew johnson call loudly for radical reform
Eighth-Wo profoundly dsplors the untimely
and tragic death OF Abraham Lincoln, and re-
greet the accession Of Andrew Johnson TO the
Presidoncy, who has actad trsaohsrously to ths
people who elected him md the csnss he
was pledged 10 support; has usnFped iss3sls-
i've and Judicial functtons has refused 70 az.
-rute the laws; has used his high Office to In.
duce other officers to ignore and violate tbs
laws; has employed his executive power tC
render insecure the prosperity, peace, liberty
and life of the citizens; has abused the par
doning power; has denounced the NationA
Legislature a. unconstitutional; has persis
teutly and corruptly resisted, by every mean
in his power, every proper attempt at the re
construction of tho States lately in rebellion
has perverted the public patronage into Al
engine Of Wholesale corruption, and has bee
justly impoachod for high crimes and misde
meanofs, and properly pronounced guilty b.
the votes Of thirty.hve Senators
Ninth-The doctrine Of Great Britain an
other European powers, that becauso q man |
once a subject he Is always so, must be resist
81 at every hazard by the United States as
relic of the teudal times not authorised BY
the law Of nations and at war with our na
tional honor and independence. Natuiaiize,
ictirens are entitled to be protected in all thsi
rights Of citiIenship as though they were ma
e.born, and no citizen Of the United States
native or naturslized, must be liable tn ar
rest and imprisonment by any foreign pows
for acts done or words spoken in this country
And If go arrested and Imprisoned, 1t Is th,
duty Of the Government to interfere In his be
half
Tenth-Of all who were faithful 10 the trial
Of the late war there were none entitled I,
more especial honor than tho brave soldier
and seamen who endured the hardships o
campaign and cruise, AMI imIoriled thei
llvos in the service the country. The boun
ties and pensions provided by law for thes
brave defenders Of tho nation are obligation
never to be forgotten. The widows and oil
phans Of the gallant dead are the wards Of th
people, a sacred legacy bequeathed to the ms
tons protecting care.
Eleventh-Foreign emigration, which
the past has added so much to the wealth an
development of the resources and the increas
power of this nation, "the asylum Of tn
oppressed Of all nations" should DO fostere
and encouraged by liberal and just policy
Twelfth-This convention declares lie sym
patty with all the oppressed people who ar
struggling for their rights.
On motion Of General Carl SchurI, tho fol
lowing additional resolutions were unanimou.
ly adopted as part Of the platform.
Resolved, That we highly commend th
spirit Of magnamimity and forbearancs Wit
which the men who have served In the robe
lion, but now frankly and honestly 90. operai
with Us In restoring the peace Of the countr
and reoonstructing the Southern State Coz
ernments upon the basis OF impartial justie
and equal rights, are received back into th
communion Of the loyal people; and We fave
the removal Of the disqualifcations sad =,
strictions imposed upon tbs late rebels In th
same measure as their spirit Of loyalty wi
tirect, and as may be consistent with th
5afety of the loyal people.
ReSokped, That we recognise the great prii
ciplos laid down in the immortal Deciarstio
Of Independence as the true foundation {
democratic government, and we hail wit
gladness every effort toward making thss
principles living rehlity on every inohsof ID
American soil.
GRANT AND CoLPAx-rHER LKrrsRs OF AC
cEPrAyCE-rBE PLATFORM ENDORSED.
The following are the latter, of Genernl Gran
81 H. C.k,.I.. CaIf.- ......i.- ,k-....i