Year: 1868

The National Republican Party Of the United


States, assembled in National Convention, IN the


city Of Chicago. on fhe Twentieth day Of May 1865


make the Jottcacing declaration OF principles:


First We congratulate thecountry on the assur-
ed of the reconstruction policy of Congress
as evineed by the adoption by 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
to prevent the people fsuch States from being re-
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
national crime. The national honor requires the
payment of the public Indebtedness in the utmost
good faith, to all creditors at home and abroad not
only according the letter, but 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,


Ffth-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 is the duty of Congress reduce
the rate OF interest thereon whenever it can he hon
estly done.
debt to 50 improve our credit that capitalists will
seek to loan money at lower rates OF interest than
we now pay, and must continue t. pay so long
pudlatlon partial or tota open or covert, is threat
ened or suspected. -e


Seventh-The government of the United States
should be administered with the strictest economy
and the corruptons which have been SO shamefuIy
nursed and fostered by Andrew johnson, call loudly
for radical reform,


Eighth.-We profoundly deplore the untimely and
tragic death OF Abraham Lincoln, and regret the ac-
cesson of Andrew johnson to the presidency; who
has acted treacherousy to the people who elected
him and the cause he was pledged to support; who
has ururpe1 high legislative and judicial functions
who has refused to execute the laws; who has used
his high office to induce other officers 10 ignore and
violate 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 pardoning power; who has denounced
the national legislature as unconstitutional who
has persistently and c0rruptly 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, and who las justly been i'm
peached for high crimes and misdemeanors and prop
ly pronounced guilty thereof by a vote OF 35 Sena-
tors.


Nnth-The doctrine of Great Britain and other
European powers that because a man is once sub
ject he is always So must be resisted at every haz
ard by the United States relic of the feuda
times, not authorized by the law of nations and at
war with our national honor and independence
Naturazed citizens entitled to be protected in
all their rights of citizenship as though they were
native born and no citizen of the United States,
native or naturalzed, must be liable to arrest and
imprisonment by any foreign power for acts done
words spoken in this country; and if they are so
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 there 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 mast
mas added 80 much to the wealth, development and