Year: 1868

The National Republican Party of the United


States, assembledin in National Convention, in Me
city Of Chicago on the Twentieth day of Mdu 1868
make the JotSaoing declaration Of principles:
First We congratulate the country on the assur-
ed success of the reconstruction policy of Congress
evinced by the adoption by a m9jorty OF the
States lately in rebellion of constitutions securing
equal civil and political rights all. 1t is the duty
OF the government 10 sustain these Institutions and
to prevent the people of such States IRON being re-
mitted to state of anarchy.


Second-The guarantee by Congress of equal suff-
rage 10 all loyal men at the South demanded by
every consideration of public safety, of gratitude
and ofjustce, 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 rs a
national crime. The national honor requires the
payment of the public Indebtedness in the utmost
good taith to all creditors at home and abroad not
only according to the letter. bat the spirit OF the
law under which it was contracted.


Fourth-It is due to the labor of the nation that
taxation shall be equalized and reduced as rapidly
as the national faith shall permit.


Fifth-The national debt, contracted as it has
been tor the preservation of the Union for all time
to come, should be extended over fair period for
redemption and it il the duty of Congress to reduce
the rate OF interest thereon whenever it lie hon.
estly done. M d..


Sixth-The best policy to diminish our burden of
debt, to SO improve our credit that capitalists will
seek to loan money at lower rates of interest than
we now pay, and must continue pay long re-
pudation partial total open covert is threat
ened or suspected


Seventh-rhe government of the United States
should be Administered with the strictest economy,
and the corruptions which have been shamefuIiy
nuIsed and f0stered by Andrew johnson, call loudly
for a radical reform,


Eghth.-We profoundly depiore 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 support; who
has ururpe high legislative and judicial functions;
who has refused 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 cur the proPerty. the peace
abused thespardoning power; who has denounced
the national legislature Unconstitutional; who
has persistently and corruptly resisted by every
measure in his power every proper attempt at the
reconstruction OF the States lately in rebellion who
has perverted the public patronage into engine Of
wholesale corruption, ana who has justly been i'm
peached for high crimes and msdeme anors and prop
ly pronounced guilty thereof by vote OF So Sena-
tors.


Nnth-The doctrine of Great Britain and other
European powers, that because man is once a sub
ject he is always So must be resisted at every haz
ard by the United States as u relic of the feuda
times not authorized by the law of nations and at
war with our hatl0nal honor and independence.
Naturalized citizens are entitled to be protected in
all their rights OF citizenship though they were
native born; and no citizen of the United States,
native or naturalized, must be liable to and
words spoken in this country; and if they are
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 of
the late war there were none entitled to more special
honor than the brave soldiers and seamen who en-
dured the hardshps Of campaign and 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 so 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


Resolved, That we highly commend the spirit of
magnanimity and forbearance with which men who
have served in the Rebellion, but who frankly
and honestly cooperate with in restoring the peace
OF the country and recOnstructing the Southern
Slate governments upon the basis of Impartial jus
tice and Equal Rights, received back into the
communion of the loyal peope and we iavor the re-
mOva of the dsqualicai0ns and estI lotions impos-
ed upon the late Rebels in the same measure their
spirit Of LOYALTY viii direct and as NAV be consistent
With rne safety OF the loyal people.


Resotued, That we recognize the great principles
laid down in the immortal Declaration OF Independ-
ence, as the true foundation of democratic govern
ment; and we hail with gadness every effort towards
making these principles living reality on every
inch of American soil.