The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-03-29
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL PLATFORM

| The National Republican party of the Unite
States, assembled in National Convention in the cit
OF Chicago, on the 2lst day of May, 1886, make tn
| following declaration of principles
| l. We congratulate the country on the assure,
success of the reconstruction policy OF Congress
| eyinced by the adoption, in the majority of III,
states lately III rebeion of constitutions securin,
equal civil and political rights TO all; and it is thu
duty of the Governmental sustain those institution
and to prevent the people of such States from bein;
remitted to q state of anarchy. ''-
2. The guaranty by Congress of equal suffrage t.
all loyal men ct the South demanded by ever,
consideration of public safety, of gratitude, and o
justice, and must be maintained while the question
of suffrage in all the loyal States properly belong
to the people of those States.
3. We denoucce all forms of repndiation as ma
tfonal crime; and the national honor requires the
payment OF the public indebtedness in the utter
most good faith to all creditors home aud abroad
not only according to letter, but the spirit of the
laws under which it was contracted.
4. 1t is due to the labor of the nation that taxa
tion should be equalzed, and reduced as rapidly a.
the national faith will permit.
8. The national debt contracted as it has been TO,
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 o.
interest thereon, wherever it be honestly DONE
0. That the best policy to diminish our burden o.
debt is to so improve our credit that capitalists will
seek to loan us money at lower rates Of interest thar
We now pay, and must continue pay so long AZ re-
putaton, partial or total, open covert, ID threat
eIed or suspected.
7. The Government of the United States should be
administered with the strictest econcmy: and the
corruptons which have been so shamefuliy nursed
and fostered by Andrew Johnson call loudly for rad
cal reform.
s. We profoundly deplore tho untimely aud tragic
death of Abraham Lincoln, and regret the accession
to the Presidency Andrew Johnson who has act el
treacherousiy to the people who elected him and the
cause he was pledged to support; who has usurped
high legislative and judicial tunotions who has re-
fused 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 properly, the peace liberty
and life OF the Citizen who has abused the pardon.
ing power; who has denounced the national legisa.
ture as Unconstitutional who has persstently and
corruptly resisted, by every means In his power,
every proper attempt at the reconstruction of the
States lately in rebellion; who has perverted the
public patronage iuto engine of wholesale cor.
ruption and who has been justly impeachsd for
high crimes and msdemeapois, and properly pro-
nounced guilty thereof by the vote Of thirty five
Senators.
9. The doctrine of Great Britain and other Eu.
ropean powers, that because man Is once subject
he is always SO must be resisted at every hazard by
the United States as relic of fepdal times not al.
thorized by the laws OF ratons and az war with our
national honor and independence Naturalized cit.
izens are entitled to protection in all their rights OF
citizenship, as though they were netivs-born; and
no citizen of the United States native or natural.
lied, must be liable to arrest aud Imprisonment by
any foreign power Tor acts done woTd3 spoken In
this country and, if so arrested and imprisoned il
is the duty OF the Government interfere in his be-
half.
TO- OF all who were faithful In the trials of the
late war, there none entitled to more especia
honor than the brave soldiers and seamen who en-
dured the bardships Of campaign aud cruise and i'm
peri,led their lives in the service of the country
the bountes and pensions provided 10y the laws for
these brave defenders of the nation are Obligations
never to be forgotten the widows aud orphans Of
the gallant dead the wards of the peopIe-a ga
cred legacy bequeaihod TO the nations protecting
care.
IL. Foreign immigration, which in Tho past has
added 30 much to the wealth. devtlopement, and re-
sources and increGse of power to this republic tie
asylum OF the oppressed of all nations should be
fostered and encouraged by liberal and lust policy
~. This convention declares itself in sympath,
with ell oppressed peoples struggling for their rights
Is. That we highly commend the spirit of msg.
nanimity and 70 clearance with which men who have
served in the rebellion bu who now frankly and
honestly cooperate with in restoring the peace
OF tho country and reconatructing the South
err State governments upon the basis Of impartial
Justice and equafrights, received back into the
communion OF the loyal people: aud we favor lie
removal OF the diequaifcatCns and restrictions i'm.
pcsed upon the late rebels In the same measure IA
the spirit OF dsoyaty will die ont and as may be- cor
sistent with the safety Of the loyal people, -i
IA. That wo recognize the great principles laid
down In the immortal Declaration Of Independei.ce
as the true foundation OF democratic government
and We hail with gladness every effort toward max
Ing these principles living reality on every inch of
American soil.