The Portland daily press., 1868-07-11
The Republican Platform.

The National Republican Party Of the United
States, assembled in National Convention, in the
city Of Chicago on The tceateh day Of Nay, 1868,
make the Joio,cing declaration Of principles:
First We congratulate the country on the assur-
ell success OF the reconstruction policy of Congress,
a. evneed by The adoption by mlJority OF the
States lately in rebellion, of constitutions securing
equal civil aud political rights to all. 1t is the duty
OF the government 10 sustain these Institutions and
TO prevent the people of such States from being re-
mitted to a 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 of JUSTICE and must be maintained The whole
question of suffrage in the loyal States properly be-
longs to the people OF hose States.
1hird-we denounce all forms OF repudia ion as a
payment Of the public Indebtedness in the utmost
good faith, to all creditors at home and abroad, MOI
only according 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 equaiized and reduced as rapidly
as the national faith shall permit.
Fifth-The national debt, contracted il has
been tor the preservation of the Union for all time
to come, should be extended over fair period fol
redemption and it il the duty OF Congress to reduce
the rate Of interest thereon whenever it can lie hon
estly dcne.
Sxth-1 he best policy to diminish our burden Of
debit is to so improve credit that capitalists will
seek to loan us money at lower rates OF interest than
we now pay, and must continue t pay so long as re-
pudation partial or tota open or covert, is threat
ened or suspected.
should be administered with the strictest economy,
and the c0rruptions which have been shamefuiiy
nurSed and foStered by Andrew johnson, call loudly
for a radical reform.
Eighth.-we profoundly deplore the untimely and
tragic death OF Abraham Lincoln and regret The
cession of Andrew johnson to the presidency; who
has acted treacherOusly to the people who elected
him and the cause he was pledged to supports who
has ururpeJ high legislative and judicial functions
who has refused TO execute the laws; who has used
his high office to induce other officers to ignore an0
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 ha,
abused the pardoning power; who has denounced
the national legislature as unconstitutional; who
has persistently and corruptly resisted by every
nsiruction OF the States lately in rebellion; who
has perverted the public patronage into engine o
wholes ale corruption and who has justly been I'M
peached for high crimes and misdemeanors and prop
tors.
Ninth-The doctrine of Great Britain and other
European powers, that because man is once o sub
ject he is always so, must be resisted at every haz-
ard by the United States as relic of the feudal
times, not authorized by the law OF nations and al
war with our ,atlonal honor and Independence
Naturalized citizens entitled 10 be protected In
all their rights OF citizenship as though they were
native born; and no citizen of the United States
native or naturalzed, must be liable to arrest and
imprisonment by any foreign power for acts done OF
words spoken in this country; and if they are so ar
rested and imprisoned it is the duty OF the govern
ment to interfere in their behalf.
Tenth OF all who were faithful in the trials o.
the late war there were none entitled TO more specla
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 bountes and pensions provided by law for thest
brave defenders obligations never to be forgot
ten; the widows and orphans of the gallant deat
are the wards of the people-a sacred legacy be
queathed to the nations fostering care.
Eleventh-Foreign emigration, which i'm the pas
has added much TO the wealth, development ant
resources and the increase of power to this nation
the asylum of the oppressed OF all nations, should
| be fOstered and encouraged by a liberal aud JUS
| policy.
Twelfth-Ths convention declares itself in sympa-
thy with all the oppressed peoples which are strug
| Cling for their rights.
Unanimously added, on motion OF Gen. Schurz
Resotred, That we highly commend the spirit o
magnanimity and Orbearance with which men VIII
have served in the Rebellion, but who frankl,
and honestly cooperate with in restoring the peae
OF the country and ree0nstruetng the Southern
State governments upon the bass of Impartial jus
tice and Equal Rights, received back into tn
communion of The loyal people; and we fayor the re
mOva of the disquafcatiOns and restrictions impos
ed upon the late Rebels in the same measure as thei
spirit of loyalty will direct and as may be conssten
with the safety OF the loyal people.
ResOtped, That we recognize the great principle
laid down i'm the immortal Declaration ot lndepend
ence, as the true foundation of democratic govern
ment; and we hail with gadness every effort toward
| making these principles "a living reality on ever
| inch of American soil.
Il