Year: 1868

This is the platform of the National Union
Republican party, adopted at Chicago May
81, 1868:


First-We congratulate the country on
the assured success of the reconstruction pol.
icy of Congress as evidenced by the adoption


in majority of the States lately in rebellion
of Constitution securing equal civil and po-
itical rights to all: and we regard it as the
duty of the Government to sustain these
Constitutions and prevent the people of such
States from being remitted to a state of anar-
chy or military rule.


Second-The guaranty by Congress of
equal suffrage to all loyal men in the South
was demanded by every consideration OF
public safety, gratitude and justice. and
must be maintained; while the question of
suffrage in all the loyal States properly be-
longs to the people oc those States.


Third-We denounce all forms of re-
pudiation as a national crime. and declare
that the national honor requires the paw
ment of the public Indebtedness in the utmost
good faith to our creditors at home and
abroad, not onl ly according to the letter, but
according to the spirit of the laws under
which it was contracted.


Fourth-It is due to the labor of the ma
| ton that taxation should be equalzed and
reduced as rapidly as the national faith 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
| a fair period 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 so to improve our credit
that capitalists will seek to lend US money
| at lower rates of interest than we now pay,
and must continue to pay so long as repu'
dation, partial or total, open or cover, Is
threatened or suspected.


Seyenth-The Government of the United
States should be administered with the strict
est economy. The corruptions which have
been so shamefully nursed and fostered by
Andrew johnson call loudly for radical re-
form


Eighth-we profoundly deplore the un.
timely and tragic death of Abraham Lincoln,
and regret the accession of Andrew johnson
to the Presidential chair. who has acted
treacherousIy to the p ople who elected him
and the cause he was pledged to support;
has usurped high legislative and judicial
functions has refused to execute laws has
used his high Office to induce other officers
to violate laws /; has employed his executive
power to render insecure the lives, property,
peace. liberty, and life of citizens; has abus-
ed the pardoning power has denounced the
national legislative unconstitutional has
persistently and habitually resisted by every
means in his power every proper attempt at
the reconstruction of the States lately in re-
bellion has perverted the public patronage
into an engine of wholesale corruption and
has been justly impeached for high crimes
and misdemeanOrs, and pronounced guilty
thereof by the votes of thirty five Senators.


Ninth-The doctrine of Great Britain and
other European Powers, that because man
is once subject he is always so, mast be
resisted at every hazard by the United States
as a relic of feudal times, not authorized by
the law of nations, and at war with our ma
tional honor and independence : and natural
lied citizens are entitled to be protected in
| all their rights of citizenship as though they
were native born; no citizen of the United
| States, native or naturalized. must be liable


to arrest or 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 Government to interfere in


his behalf.


Tenth-Of all who were faithful in theil


trials of the late war there were none more
| 1tteu lot especial nOnOr lndn Tue DraVe SOt


diers and seamen who endured the hardships


of camp and cruise and imperiled their live:


in the service of their country. The bouu


ties and pensions appropriated by law fo


these brave defenders Of the Union are obi
cations never to be forgotten The widow.
and orphans of the gallant dead are th,
wards of the people--a sacred legacy be


aueathed to the United States for its protect
! ing care.


Eieventh-Foreign immigration in the pas
has added much to the wealth and increas
ed so much the resources of this nation, tn
asylum of all nations, that it should lie fos
t tered by a liberal and just policy.
Twelfth-This Convention declares it
= sympathy with all oppressed people who ar
; struggling for their rights.


Resolved, That we highly commend th
: spirit of magnanimity and forgiveness witt
which the men who have served in the re
r bellion and who are now frankly and honestI
A cooperating with US in restoring the cours
t Of the country and in reconstructing tn
: Southern States on basis of impartia
3 justice and equal rights, are received bac
into communion with the loyal people, an
r that we are in favor of the removal of tn
e disqualifcations and restrictions impose
r upon the late rebels in the same measure an
spirit of loyalty as may be consistent with th
r safety of the lovaI people.


t Resolved, That we recognize the grea
e principles laid down in the Declaration q
r Independence as the foundation of fdemocrati
e government, and we hail with gladness ever
D effort toward making these principles
r living reality on every inch of America soil
! Resolved. That the adjournment of thi
' Convention shall not work the dissolution O
the same. but it shall remain as organized
{ subject to be called together at any time an,
J place that the Executive Committee shal


designate.