The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-09-21
FOR vICE-pREsIDENT,
SCHUYLER COLFAX.
OF INDIANA.
The Republican Platform.

The National Republican Party Of the United
States, assembled IN National C0nrentioR, in he
city Of Chicago. on The tUentieh dan of Mdu 1865
make The Jotto,oing declaration Of principles:
First We congratulate the country on the assur-
ed success OF the reconstruction policy of Congress
as evinced by the adoption by a mqjority of the
States lately in rebellion of constitutions securing
equal civil and political rights TO ALL 1t is the duty
OF the 10 sustain these Institutions and
to prevent the people of such States from being re-
mitted to state OF anarchy.
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 Ofjustice, 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 repudia ion as a
national crime. The national honor REQUIRES the
payment of the public Indebtedness in the utmost
good fath to all creditors at home and abroad, not
only ding to the letter. but to the spirit OF the
law under which it was contracted.
Fourth-It is due to the labor of the nation that
taxation shall be equalized aud reduced as rapidly
as the national faith shall permit
Fith-The national debt, contracted as it has
been tor the preservation Of the Union for all time
to come should be extended a fair period for
redemption and 1t Is the duty OF Congress to reduce
the rate OF interest thereon whenever it he hon.
eStly dCne.
Sixth-The best policy to diminish our burden of
debt to so improve credit that capitalists will
seek to loan money at lower rates interest than
we now pay, and must continue t. pay so long as re-
pudlaton partial or total, open or covert is threat
ened or suspected.
should be administered with the strictest economy,
and the corruptions which have been SO shamefuliy
nursed and fostered by Andrew johnson call loudly
for radical reform, ''.'-.
Eighth.-We profoundly deplore the untimely and
tragic death OF Abraham Lincoln and regret the ac-
cesson of Andrew johnson to the presidency; who
mas acted treacherously to the people who elected
him and the cause he was pledged to support; who
has ururpel 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
the liberty and the life of the citizen; who has
abused the pardoning power; who has denounced
the national legislature unconstitutional; who
has persistently and corruptly resisted by every
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 eanors and prop
ly pronounced guilty thereof by vote OF So Sena-
Ninth-The doctrine of Great Britain and other
European powers, that because man is once q sub
ject he is always must be resisted at every haz
ard by the United States as a relic of the feudal
times not authorized by the law of nations and at
war with our hational honor and independence.
Naturalized citizens are entitled to be protected in
all their rights OF citizenship as though they
native born; and no citizen of the United States,
mprsonmeehRa 81 any se b haRf J to arrest and
words spoken in this country and if they are so ar
rested and imprisoned it is the duty OF the govorn
ment to interfere in their behalf
Tenth OF all who were faithful in the trials of
the late war there were none entitled to special
honor than the brave soldiers and seamen who en-
dured the hardships of campaign and cruise and i'm
perled their lives in the service of the country.
The bounties and pensions provided by law for these
brave defenders obligations to be forgot
ten; the widows and orphans of the gallant dead
are the wards Of the people-a sacred legacy be-
queathed to the nations fostering care.
Eleventh-Foreign emigration, which in the past
has added so much to the wealth, development and
resources, and the increase of power 6tbis nation,
the asylum OF the oppressed of all nations, should
be fostered and encouraged by liberal and just
policy. ...- - '-'..'i
Twelfth-This convention declares itself in sympa-
thy with all the oppressed peoples which are strug
Cling for their rights. --....
Unanimously added on motion of Gen. Sclurz
Resotred, That we highly commend the spirit of
magnanmlty and forbearance with which men who
have served in the Rebellion, but who now frankly
and honestly cooperate with in restoring the peace
OF the country and reconstructing the Southern
State governments upon the basis of Impartial JUS
tice and Equal Rights, received back into the
communion Of the loyal people; and we favor the re-
mova the disqualificatons and restrictions impos
ed upon the late Rebels in the same measure their
spirit of loyalty will direct and may be consistent
with the safety OF the loyal people.
Resotved, That we recognize the great principles
laid down in the immortal Declaration OF lndepend-
ence as the true foundation of democratic govern
ment; and we hail with gladness every effort towards
making these principles a living reality on every
inch of American soil. '-..-........--