The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-10-17
The Republican Platform.

The National Republican Party Of the United
States, assembledin National Conrention, in The
city Of Chicago. on he ttcentieh day Of Nay, 1868,
make the toloaoing declaration Of principles
First We congratulate the country on the assur-
ed success OF the reconstruction policy of Congress,
as evnced by the adoption by a. majority OF the
States lately in rebellion, of constitutions securing
equal civil and political rights to ALL 1t is the duty
OF the government TO sustain these institutions and
10 prevent the people of such States from being
mitted to a state OF anarchy.
Second-The guarantee by Congress OF equal suff-
rage TO all loyal men at the South 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 those States.
1hird-We denounce all forms OF repudia' ion as a
national crime. fhe national honor requires the
payment of the public Indebtedness in the utmost
good faith to all creditors at home and abroad not
law under which it was contracted.
Fourth-It is due to the labor of the nation that
taxation shall be equaized and reduced rapidly
as the national faith shall permit.
been tor the preservation of the Union for all time
to come should be extended over fair period for
redemption and 1t is the duty OF Congress to reduce
the rate OF interest thereon whenever 1t can 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, ani must continue t. pay long
pudlatlon sPntotal, open or covert, is threat
Seventh-rhe government of the United States
should be administered with the strictest economy,
| and the corrupdons which have been SO shamefuliy
nursed and fostered by Andrew Johnson call loudly
| for a radical reform, ...t.
Eighth.-We profoundly depore the untimely and
tragic death OF Abraham Lincoln and regret the ac-
| cession Of Andrew johnson to the presidency; who
has acted treacherously to the people who elected
him and the cause he was pledged to support; who
mas ururpei nigh legislative and judicial functions;
who has refused TO execute the laws; who has used
his high office to induce other officers to ignore and
| vloate 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 pardonng power; who has denounced
| the national legislature unconstitutional; who
has persistenty and corruptly resisted by every
m s Of e "a at the
has perverted the public patronage into engine of
wholesale corruption, and who has justly been i'm
peached for high crimes and misdemea and prop
ly pronounced guilty thereof by vote OF 35 Sena-
| tors.
Ninth-The doctrine of Great Britain and other
European powers, that because man is once a sub
Ject he always SO, must be resisted at every haz
ard by the United States as a relic Of the feuda
times not authorized by the law of nations and at
war with our atlonal honor and independence
Naturalized citizens are entitled to be protected in
| all their rights OF citizenship though they
native born; and no citizen of the United States,
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 they are
rested and imprisoned, it the duty OF the govern
| ment to interfere in their behalf.
| Tenth-Of all who were faithful in the trials of
the late war there entitled to more special
| honor than the brave soldiers and seamen who en-
dured the hardships of campaign anil cruise and i'm
perilled their lives in the service of the country.
The bountes and pensions provided by law for these
brave defenders obligations never 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
| mas added 50 much to the wealth, development and
resources and the increase of power to this nation,
| the asylum of the oppressed of all nations, should
be fostered and encouraged by liberal and just
policy.
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. Schurz
| Resotced, That we highly commend the spirit of
| magnanimity and f0rbearance 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
| tce and Equal Rights, are received back into the
communion of the loyal peoples and we favor the re-
mova Of the disquafcations and estrictions mpos.
ed upon the late Rebels in the their
spirit of loyalty will direct and may be consistent
with the safety OF the loyal people.
| Resotred, That we recognize the great principles
| laid down in the immortal Declaration OF lndepend-
ence, as the true foundation of democratic govern
ment; and hail with gladress every effort towards
making these principles living reality on every
inch of American soil. .er