The Ohio Democrat and Dover advertiser. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1839-1840, 1840-06-12
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CON.
~ VENTION.
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNI.
TED STATES.

ShOW \ttSSOtsc = uO SOuNOutiuu
Of delegates representing the Democra-
cy Of the United States, having Inani-
mously resolved to recommend the pre-
sent Chief Magistrate as candidate for
re-election, deem it proper and respect
-fll TO the people, clearly and distinctly
10 state the principles on which the Ad>
Ininistfation Of the Government, under
his direction, has been conducted, and
dhe manner in which they have been
maintained, as furnishing the clearest
evidence of what will be bis future
course, if fsustained by the suffiaSes of
those who believe them the only sure
foundation of!heir freedom, prosperity,
and happiness.
These principles have never changed,
and can never change. They are coev-
al with the democratic party. They
constitute its existence and identity; y
no citizen, however eminent or illustri"
GUS, snould be considered worthy Of it's
, support, whose invariable attachment
has not been manifested by life of de-
votionlthrough every vicissltude Of hope
and discouragement, victory and defeat.
To this test every candidate for support
Of the Democracy should be brought,
and by this he should be judged.
THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.
The most vsighly and prominent of
these grea. fundamental principles are:
That the will Of the people is the only
legitimate source Of power, That all
power thus derived, is trust TO be ex-
ercised only for the public good. That
agents go entrusted with it's exercise are
responsible to the people for the faith
ful performance Of their duties. That
this responsibility should be as direct
and immediate az possible. That the
due execution Of this trust can only be
secured by general diffusion Of the
righ: Of suffrage, through the medium Of
which alone the people can retain pro.
per control over their agents, and by
its free exercise, unawed by power, un-
influenced by corruption, by sacred
regard Of The representative 10 the in-
structions Of his constituents. aud a
strict construction of the Constitution,
E which, while it secures the right Of the
majority, equally defends and protects
those of the minority; and by confirming
on all occasions TO the principles laid
down 10 M adison's Report the Alien &
Sedtion laws-principles which consti-
tute the only saleguards Of personaI
a.righ,e, the only bulwarks Of the citadel
952f freedom.
: DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES.
In our foreign intetcourse, it has ev-
er been the policy ofthe Democratic par
~ to deal justly and literally with all,
10 form political alliances with none, TO
watch with sleepless vigilance over the
national rights and honor, cherlsing at
the same time, and acting on tho con-
viction, that they can in no way be 30
effeclually guarded as by invariably do-
ing justice to others, and as invariably
demanding it for ourselves, always pre-
ferring tho decision Of controversies by
reason and temperate discussion, and
never to shrink from an appeal 10 the
last resort Of nations, when it becomes
indispensable by the fault Of onr adver-
sary.
The Democratic party has always
cherished the maxim and acted upon
the principle, that no more money shall
be collected from The lpeople than is
strictly required by the wants of the Go
vernmeni, and restriction of these to
simple, economical administration Of
it's affairs, the only policy consistent with
the purity Of our Republican system.
The Democratic party has always,
from first to last, arrayed itself in stern
and inAsxible opposition TO a national
debt, incurred for any other purpose
than the immediate defence Of the hon
or and interest Of the country, as furnish
ing the ready means for extravagaut pro.
digality forming the basis Of a great cred
i.system, and imposing burdens on pos
teritl as penalty for the prodiaglity of
their ancestors. In opposition, "un-
qualified and uncompromising." to the
establishment ofa National Bank, as
alike Unconstitutional, inexpedient, and
dangerous to public liberty; and as the
antagonist Of this gigantic ins,rument Of
corruption, whose power TO confer bene-
fits bears no proportion to its means of
ioAIc,ing injuries, 1t advocates separa>
ton ofthe fiscal concerns Of Government
from The fluctuations Of the banking sys-
ten, as equally Indispensable to the in-
dependence ofthe Government, the safe-
~ OF the public funds, and the maintain
ance OF sound and stable currency.
The Democratic party 10 in favor Of
q faithful adherence 10 the principles