Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-05-26
"a The Chicago Contention.

Governor Ward, of New Jersey. called the
Convention to order
- prayer was delivered by Bishop Simpson,
of the Northern Methodist Church.
Carl Schurz, of Missouri, was chosen tenn I
porary chairman.
A committee of one from each State was APP
pointed on credentials Texas was not repre-
sented.
The southern States were all called. and nine
teen negro delegates were among those answer
| ing.
A committee of one from each State was apF
pointed committee On permanent organiza-
ton.
A delegate from Kentucky offered the follow
| ing, which was adopted by an overwhelming
vote
| RESOLVED, That all resolutions offered be re-
ferred without debate to the committee on res
olutions.
The committee on the order OF business was
then appointed in the same manner.
8 The Convention took recess to five o'clock
this evening.
On reassembling, the committee ON creden-
on permanent organization reported the name
of Joseph r. Hawley, of Connecticut, for per-
inanent president of the Convention. This an
nouncement was received with tremendous APP
plause.
The president was conducted to the chair by
Ex-Governor Brown, of Georgia, amid great
cheering for Hawley and Brown, and the reti-
ring chairman, Carl Schurz.
When Schurz presented the chairman to the
Convention he was received with the heartiest
outburst of enthusiasm yet manifested.
Hawley addressed the Convention, after
which the remaining officers for the permanent
organization were announced.
Without further business the Convention ad-
journed till the next day, Thursday.
On Thursday, the committee on resolutions
reported the following platform which was a.
dopted with but few votes in the negative:
g PLATFORM
The National Republican party of the United
States assembled in National Convention in the
City of Chicago on the Goth day of May, 1868,
make the following declaration of principles
First. We congratulate the country on the
assured success of the Reconstruction project of
Congress as evinced by the adoption in ma
jority of the States lately in rebellion of Const-
tutons securing equal civil and political rights
TO all, and regard it as the duty of the Govern
ment to sustain these institutions and to prevent
the people of such States from being RENTED
to state ofanarchy. [Cheers.
Second. The guarantee by Congress of equal
suffrage to all loyal men at the South was de-
manded by every consideration of public safety
Of gratitude, and Of justice, and must be mains
tanned, while the question OF suffrage in all the
loyal States properly belongs to the people of
these States. Cheers.
Third. We denounce all FORMS of reputation
as national crime, prolonged cheers and
the national honor requires the payment of the
public indebtedness in the utmost good faith to
all creditors at home and abroad not only ac-
cording to the letter, but the spirit OF the law
uuder which it was contracted. Applause
Fourth. 1t is due to the labor Of the nation
that taxation should be equalized and reduced
as rapidly as national facility will permit.
Fifth The national debt, contracted as it has
been for the preservation of the Union for all
time to come, should be extended over fair
period for redemption, and it Is the duty Of
Congress to reduce the rate OF interest thereon
whenever it can honestly be done.
Sixth. That the 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 and must con-
tinue to pay SO long as Reputation, partial or
total, open or covert Is threatened or suspected.
Seventh. The Government Of the United
States should be administered with the strictest
economy, and the corruptions which have been
SO shamefully nursed and fostered by Andrew
johnson, call loudly for radical reform.
Eighth. We profoundly deplore the untimey
and tragic death of Abraham Lincoln and regret
the accession Of Andrew johnson to the Presi
dency, who has acted treacherousy to the peo-
people who elected him and the cause he was
pledged to support; has usurped high legisla-
tive and judicial functions has refused to exc
cute 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 property, peace, liberty and
life Of the citizens has abused the pardoning
power; has denounced the National Legisla
ture as unconstitutional; has persistently and
corrupty resisted by every measure in his pow
er every proper attempt at the reconstruction OF
the States lately in rebellion; has perverted
the public patronage into an engine Of whole
sale corruption, and has been justly impeached
for high crimes and misdemeanors and proper
ly pronounced guilty thereof by the vote of
thirty five Senators.
Ninth. The doctrine Of Great Britain and
other European powers that because man is
once subject he is always so, must be resisted
at every hazard by the United States as relic
of the teudal times, not authorized by the laws
of nations and at war with our national honor
and independence. Naturalzed citizens are
entitled 10 be protected in all their rights of
citizenship as though they were native born,
and no citizen of the United States, whether
native or naturalized, must be liable to arrest
and imprisonment by any foreign power for acts
done or words spoken in this country, and if SO
arrested and imprisoned, it is the duty of the
Government to interfere in his behalf
Tenth. Of all who were faithful in the trials
of the late war there were none entitled to more
special honor than the brave soldiers and sea-
men who endured the hardships of campaign
and cruise and imperilled their lives in the SER
vice of the country; the bounties and pensions
provided by laws for the brave defenders of the
nation are obligations never to be forgotten !;
the widows and orphans of the gallant dead are
the wards Of the people-a sacred legacy be-
queathed to the nation protecting care
Eleventh. Foreign emigration, which in the
past has added so much to the wealth, devel
opment of resources and increase of power to
the nation, the asylum of the oppressed of all
nations, should be fostered and encouraged by
liberal and just policy.
Twelfth. This Convention declares its sym
pathy with all the oppressed people which are
struggling for their rights.
An unanimous motion was made to proceed
to ballot for President, and Mr.. Logan, in the
name of the loyal people and soldiers of the Re-