New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-09-03
THE WISCONSIN REPUBLICANS.
Platform of the Party.

THE WISCONSIN REPUBLICANS.
Platform of the Party.
At the Wisconsin State Convention, ON
the thirtieth ultimo, the following resolu-
tons were adopted:
]. ResoIred, That we refer with patriotic
pride to the history of the Republican party
of the United States by its early response
to the encroachnlents of slavery; by its pat
riotic devotion to the cause of the Union
during the late civil war; by its emancipa-
ton, at the proper time, of an oppressed
people from bondage: by its signal over
throw of disloyalty and treason; by its JUS
tice, firmness and magnanimity in guarding
and securing the results of war, and giving
and assuring to ali citizens liberty and
equality before the law; by its grateful aud
just provision for the nations defenders; by
its honor and good faith toward the nations
creditors by its wise and liberal policy in
granting homesteads to settlers and in aid
ing the development of Western States and
Territories; by its successful advocacy of
human principles of international law not
hitherto recognized by the civilized world;
by its peaceful settlement of our con-
troversies with Great Britain ON terms
honorable, advantageous, and tending
to secure permanent peace and con-
cord between the two nations; by its judi
cious direction of our financial system
whereby the nation was enabled to meet
the emergencies of great war, to furnish
a sound and uniform currency and to pre-
vent the commercial depression, revulsion
and disaster attendant upon civil strife, and
generally by its successful administration
of national affairs during the eventful
years. 1t has proved on all occasions It's
fidelity to the highest interests of the coun-
try. A party whose career has thus been
signalized at every step by great triumphs
of human freedom and progress needs not
to depart from the path of honor and duty
in which its victories have been won; and
we believe that upon its continued ascend
ency and steadfast adhesion to its cardinal
principles the peace, prosperity and honor
of the country depends
2. That we regard the recent amendments
to the constitution of the United States as
just and wise articles of organic law, essen
tial at the present time to secure constitu-
tional liberty and will use every effort to
zealously uphold and enforce them; that I'M
der the constitution thus amended, the fed
eral government possesses, and ought to ex-
ercise whenever and wherever necessary,
sufficient power to protect every citizen
under our flag in free expression of his
sentiments, the free exercise of the ballot,
the full enjoyment Of his property, and the
absolute safety of his person.
5. That we greatly rejoice in the recupera-
tiou>of the Southern States under the be-
nign influence of free labor; that we urge
upon those lately in rebellion not to retard
the prosperity of the South by permitting
lawlessness and violence; that we entreat
them to take bold stand for law and Or
der, to assist the result of the war, and to
cooperate with us in efforts to advance the
prosperity OF the whole country. And we
hope that the time may shortly come when
the persecution and outrage of loyal citi
Zens shall wholly cease, and when political
disabilities, imposed for participation in the
rebellion, may be removed without danger
to the rights of those who have remained
faithful to the Union.
4. That we believe the prosperity of the
country and the stability of its monetary
system, as we'll as its credit and influence in
the family of nations, depend on the main
tenance of public faith. To that end we
favor continued reduction of the national
debt, so steadily as to prevent depreciation
of our bonds and currency; so gradually as
not to burden too heavily the present indus
tries Of the country.
5. That, in our Judgment, the most efficient
and satisfactory means of using larger
portion of revenue TO meet the obligations of
the government, is from duties on imports
that such duties should be so low as to make
sure of the amount required, and to fairly
distribute the burden of taxation upon all
sections of the country and all classes of
people A tariff for revenue is evidently
indispensable, but it should be so adjusted
as to be the least prejudical to all interests
and to every class and section, and so as
never to burden new interests that another
may thrive that the improvements of Fox
and Wisconsin rivers is a work of vast i'm
portanee to the State and nation we again
urge upon Congress TO provide for its early
completion; that we also call upon Congress
annx tl,a mt afii.
construction OF railroad from Lake St.
Croix to Lake Superior, as an act of Justice
to the settlers of Northwest Wisconsin,.
8. That in view Of the present rapid set
Element of country the residue of the public
domain should be kept mainly for actual
settlers. Homestead laws should be so
modified that when honorably DISCHARGED
Union soldiers and sailors claim benefits of |
some OF the period of their service it shall |
be deemed part OF time of occupancy |
necessary to acquire title. Grants of lands |
TO ald IN building of railroads should be |
made where 1T is necessary to open the |
country up to settlement under such restric- |
tons as will facilitate the occupation of
public lands; that we favor every practi. |
cable reform In the public service, State or
national, in the direction of greater purify |
efficiency and economy of ad, |
mlnIstrasloni that the administration of our |
State affairs by our State officers, one and |
al, has been, in every respect, Character !
lied By such ability, honesty and integrity |
IN the discharge of their official duties. that |
It demonstrated the wisdom of the choice |
Of the people who have thus honcred them |
with responsible positions, and entities /
them to the thanks, esteem and confidence |
Of every citizen of this State
Z. That the administration Of President
Grant has been wise and prudent. 1t has |
executed, faithfully collected. |
and honestly applied the revenue; greatly |
'edueed the public debt, and enabled Con
yress to Tighten the burden of taxation. 1t
las inaugurated humane policy in dealing
With the Indians-a favor alike to economy. /
civilization and peace upon our border. 1t I
las preserved and strengthened our friendly
citations with foreign powers, and has adj
-aneed the honor and dignity of the United
states among the governments of the
Eorlc. 1t has at all times been deferentiaI
% the will of the people, and studious TO |