The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-08-21
The Rcpnblicnn Platform.

Ane iohohing P'htlormi reported py the
Committee on Resolutions, was unanimously
adopted by tho National Republican Conven.
ton in session at Chicago on the 2lst inst
The National Republican party Of the Uni.
tod States, assembled in NaI'ouSl Convention
in the city Of Chicago on the goth day of May,
1865 make the following declaration Of princi.
pies:
First-Wo congratulate the country on the
assured success Of the reconstruction policy
Of Congress, as evinced by the adoption, in
majority 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 Institutions, and
to prevent the people Of such States from be.
ing RENTED to 4 state of anarchy.
SecOnd-Tho guarantee Of Congress Of equal
suffrage to all loyal men at the South was
demanded by every confederation Of public
safety, of gratitude and Of justice, aud must
be maintained, while the question Of suffrage
in all the loyal States properly belongs to the
people Of those States
Third-We denounco all forms of repuda-
ton as q national crime, and the national honor
requires the payment Of the public indebted
ness in the utmost good faith to all creditors,
at homo and abroad, not only according to
the letter but tho spirit of the laws under
which il was contracted.
Fourth--It Is due 10 the labor OF the nation
that taxation should be equalizod, and reduced
as rapidly as the national faith will permit.
Fifth-The national debt, contracted as 1t
has been for the preservation Of the Union for
all time to come, should be extended over n fair
period for redemption, and it is tho duty Of
Congress TO reduce the rate of interest there
on whenever il can possibly be done.
sixth-That tho best policy TO diminish our
burden Of debt is to so improve our credit
that capitalists will seek to loan US money at
lower rates Of interest than we now pay, aud
must continue to pay 80 long as reputation,
partial or total, open or covert, is threatened
Or suspected,
Seyenth-The Government Of tho United
States should DO administered with the strict
est economy, and tho corruptiOns which have
been so shamefully> nursed and fostered by
Andrew johnson call loudly for radical reform.
Eighth-Wo profoundly deplore the untimely
and tragic death Of Abraham Lincoln, and re.
gret the accession OF Andrew Johnson to the
Presidency, who has acted troacherously to the
people who elected him and the cause he
was Iledged to support has usurpei legisla.
I've and Judicial functions has refused to ex.
ecute the laws has used his high Office to in.
duce other officers to ignore and violate tho
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.
tontly and corruptly resisted, by every means
in his power, every proper attempt at the re.
construction OF the States lately in rebellion,
has perverted the public patronage into an
ongino Of Wholesale corruption, and has been
justly impeached for high crimes and INSIDE
neanors, and properly pronounced guilty by
the votes OF thirty five Senators
Ninth-The doctrine Of Great Britain and
other European powers, that because u man Is
once subject he is always SO, must DO resist
ed At every hazard by tho United States as n
relic Of the feudal times, not authorized by
the law Of nations and at war with our ma.
tonaI honor and independence. Naturalized
iotiEens are entitled to be protected in all their
rights Of citizenship as though they were ma.
tiye-born, and no citizen Of the United States,
native or naturalized, must be liable 20 ar.
rest and imprisonment by any foreign power
for acts done or words spoken In this country
And If so arrested and Imprisoned it is tho
duty OF the Government to interfere In his DO.
half
Tenth---Of all who woro faithful in tn. triaIs
Of the late war there were none entitled to
more especial honor than the bravo soldiers
and seamen who endured the hardships Of
campaign and cruise, and imporled their
lives in the serI leo Ofthe country, Tho boun.
ties and pensions provided by law for those
brave defenders Of tho nation are obligations
never to be forgotten. The widows and or,
Ihans Of the gallant dead are the wards Of tho
people, u sacred legacy bequeAthed to the ma.
lions protecting care.
Eleyenth-FOreigu emigration, which 10
the past has added so much to the wealth and
development Of tho resources and tho increase
Of power Of this nation, the asylum Of the
oppressed Of all nations, ~ should be fostered
and encouraged by q liberal and just policy.
TWelfth-This convention declares Ne symi