The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1848-04-19
THE DEMOCRACY OF FLORIDA.

The following admirable resolutions were
unanimously adopted bv the Democratic
State Convention which assembled at Tala~
hasscc on the 2OIh ult.
!. r. solved, That we firmly adhere to
the principles heretofore avowcd by the
Democratic party, and upon their basis will
cordially unite in all proper means to secure
harmony and concert of acton from every
quarter Of the Union in their support: bu,
we also distinctly avnw that there arc cnnsi-
lutlonal rights and interests vital to the South
which we hold TO be above all party ties or
considerations.
2. Rcsolrcd, That the institution Of slavery
existed before the conedracy of tho States.
is recognised by the Constitution Of the u
nited States, and is left under the control of
the several States each acting in lis scpar-
ate severe IGN capacity.
g. RcSo eel. That all territory now held
bv the United States and all which may be
acquired by conquest, treaty. or purchase
must be held as their Joint property, and the
sovereign authority mus, vest in the people
of the several States, an in them alone.
4. Resoircd That by the Constitution of
the United States Congress is only cmpow-
cred to enact laws nccdful for the prcscrva-
ton and disposal Of such territory as public
domain.
S. Rcsolccd, That the territorial govern
mcnts arc not known to the Constitution. are
municipal or corporate, and can righllully
claim OF exercise no political or higher pow
cr than is derived from the organic law OF
Congress by which they arc formed.
6. Rcsolrcd, That the Constitution CON
fers no right upon Congress to prohibit the
existence Of slavery in any territory; and
therefore Congress can convey no such right
to the inhabitants of such territory: and that
any stipulation by treaty to that effect is
equally svioalion Of the guarantees OF the
Constitution.
7. Rcso1red. That our Delegates to the
Democratic Convention, proposed TO be
held in Baltimore, on the fourth Monday II
Nav next, tn nominate candidates for the
Offices of President aId Wee President n
of the Uucd States, are hereby instructed
to support 40 persons irr these Offices wh'
will sanction aIv attempt to Interfere with ol
control the equal right oi the ct'izcnS "i Gael
State, with their slaves or Hny other proper
tv, to remove Ia and occupy territory whIcl
now belongs to the United States, or may
hereafter be acquire by them, whether suci
interference or restrictions arc imposed b,
Congress directly, through its own acts, o
conceded to the inhabitants Of such terrific
ry.
s, Rcsolrcd, That those laws of the scve
raj states which refuse to aid, and aclual
prevent, the owners of fugitive slaves in pur
suing and recovering their property escaping
into such States. are not only violations G
the comfy which should be observed be
tween independent states. but are papab'
violations also of the Constitution Of the l
States, and of the laws, of Congress mad
in pursuance thereof.
o. Rcsolued. That we appeal to the Den
ocratlc party in these States to use every e'
crlion to have all such laws repealed or abr'
gated, through their legislative and judcI
departments, as the only means OF proven
!, ing resort to rctaliatory measures, whlc