Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1848-08-18
THE BARNBURNERS' PLATFORM.

y
That our readers may see on what "pat-
form" the Buffslo Barnbuners stand, we copy
the following preamble aud resolutions. which
they adopted at the recent Convention:
Whereas. we have assembled in oonven-
ton as a union OF ireemen. Tor the sake OF
freedom, forgetting all past political differ
ences in common resolve TO maintain the
rights of free labor, against the expressions Of
the slave power, and 10 secure Free Soil for
free people.
And rhcreas, the political conventions re-
Gently assembled at Baltimore and Philadel-
phia the one sitting tie voice of great con-
shtuency. entitled to be heard in lis delber
atoms, and the other abandoning its distinc-
tive principles for mere availability. have dis
solved the national party organizations here
tolore existing, by nominating for the chief
maglstracy OF The United States, under slave
holding dlctation. candidates, neither of
whom can be supported by the opponent Is Of
slavery extension, without a sacrifice OF con.
sistency, duty and self-respect.
And, urhere4s. these nominations 50 made
furnish the occasion, and demonstrate the
necessity of the union Of the people. under
the banner OF free democracy. in a solemn and
final declaration of their independence OF the
slave power, aud of their fixed determination
TO rescue the federal government from its CON
troll:
ResolDed, therefore. that we. the people.
here assembled, remembering the example of
our fathers in the days OF The first declaration
OF independence, putting our trust in God for
the triumph OF our cause, and invoking his
guidance in our endeavors to advance il, do
now plant ourselves upon the national plat
| form OF Freedom, in opposition to the sec
tonal platform OF slavery.
ResotUed, That slavery in the several states
of this Union which recognize its existence.
depends upon state laws alone, which cannot
be repealed Or modified by the federal gov
eminent, and for which laws, that govern
| ment is not responsible. We, therefore, pro-
| pose no interference by Congress with slavery,
| within the limits of any state.
Resolped, That the prov iso of Jefferson, to
prohibit the existence OF slavery after 1900 in
all the territories of the United States, south
ern and northern; the woes of six states and
sixteen delegates, III the Congress OF lisa for
| the proylso, 10 three states and seven dele
gates agalnstit; the actual exclusion of sav-
cry, from the northwestern territory, BY the
ordinance OF 1857, unanimously adopted by
the states IN Congress; and the entire history
OF that period, clearly show, that it was the
settled policy OF the nation not 10 extend ma
uonallze or encourage, but to limit, localize
and discourage slavery; and to this policy,
which should never have been departed from
| the government ought to return.
HcSolucd, That our fathers ordained the
Constitution OF the United States, in order,
| among other great national objects, to estab-
lish justice, promote the general welfare, and
secure the blessings OF liberty; but expressly
denied 10 the federal government which they
created all constitutional power 10 deprive
any person oil liberty or property without due
| legal process.
htSolued, bat in the judgment of this Con-
venlIon, Congress has no more power to
make slave than to make king:-no more
power 10 institute or establish slavery, than
to institute or establish a morarchy:-no
such power can be found among those special
ly conferred by the constitution, orderived by
any just implication from them
hesotped, That II is the duty Of the federal
government TO relieve itself from oil respou
slbliity Tor the existence or continuance OF
slavery, where yer the government possesses
constitutional authority to iegislate on
that subject, and Is thus responsible-f for its
existence.
hcsotptd, That the tue, and in the judg.
ment OF this convention, the only sale means
OF preventing he extension of slavery into
territory no" tree; is 10 prohih it's existence
III all such territory by an act OF Congress.
hesotped, Ihot we accept the issue which
the slave power has forced upon US, and 10
their demand for more slave states, and slave
territories, our calm but final answer is, no
more slave states. and no more slave terrific
ry. Let the soil OF our extensive domain be
ever Kept free Tor the hardy pioneers Of our
own land, and the oppressed and banished Of
other lands, seeking homes OF comfort, and
| fields OF enterprise IN tie new world.
| Resoiued, That the bill lately reported by
the committee OF eight in the Senate Of the
! United States, was no compromis but an a bso-
! lutte surrender OF the rights OF the non slave
holders OF all the states; and while we rejoice
| 10 know that measure which, while open
| ing the door for the introduction of slavery
into territories now free, would also have
opened the door to litigation and strife among
the future inhabitdns thereof; TO the ruin OF
tlleir peace and prosperity, was defeated in
the House Of Repress motives, its passage, in
hot taste. by majority OF The Senate, EN-
| bracing several Senators who voted in open
violation OF the known will of cir consi.u-
ents, should warn the people 10 see to it that
| their representatives be not suffered to betray
them. There must be no more compromises
with slavery; il made, they must be repeal
ed.
Resolued, That we demand freedom and es-
tablished institutions for our brethren in Ore
gon, now exposed 10 hardship, peril aud mas
sacre, by the reckless hostility OF HE slave
power 10 the establishment OF free govern
ment for free territories, and not only for
them but for our new brethren in New Mex
leo and California.
And, whereas il is due not only to this oc.
casion, but to the whole people OF the United
States, that we should declare ourselves on
certain other questions Of national policy
therefore
Resolusd That we demand cheap hostage
for the people; Ietrenchment, Of the ex.
penses aud patronage OF the federal govern
nent; the abolition of all unnecessary Offices
and salaries, and tie election by The people
OF all civil officers in the service ofthe govern
ment, SO lar as the same may be practicable.
Rcsoioed, That the River and Harbor i'm
provements, whenever demanded by tie
safety or convenience of commerce with
foreign nations, or among the several states
are objects OF natural concern; and that it's
the duty OF Congress III the exercise of It's
constitutional powers, to prOvlde therefor.
ResolUcd, THAT the Tree grant to actual, set
Tiers in consideration OF theexpenses they incur
in making settlements in the wilderness which
are usually iully equal to their actual cost.
and OF the public benefits resulting therellom.
of reasonable portions Of the pnblic lands
under suitable mutations, is wise and lust
measure Oi M blir polifv- "a hicb Nvili rrn,,,ta