Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-07-04

rather an axiom than an article Of Politi.
cal faith. From the days Of Gen. Ham,
i!ton to our days. the party opposed to ~
of whose principles he VAS the great
exponent. if not the founder-while il has
changed its name. has preserved its
identity Of character; and the donht he
entertained and taught Of the opacity Of
man for self government. has excited =
marked influence upon its sct ons and
opinions. Here is the very starting point
of the difference between the swo great
parties Of our country. All other differ
ences are bu, subordinate and auxiliary to
this. and may, in fact, be resolved into it.
Looking with doubt upon the issue OF self
government. one party is prone 10 think
the public Authority should be strengthen
ed, and TO fear any change might weaken
the necessary force Of TIE government:
while the other strong in its convictions OF
the intelligence and virtue Of the people.
believes that original power is better than
delegated. and that the solution Of the
great problem Of good government con;
sis,s in governing with the least force, ahd
leavin. individual actions as free from re
strait, is compatible with the prcserva-
ton Of the social system, thereby secur-
ing to each all the freedom which is not
essential to the well being OF the whole;
As party. We should not mistake the
signs OF the times. but should bear in mind
that this is an age of progress-of ad-
yancemcnt in all the elements Of intel
lcctual power and in the opinions Of the
world. The general government shoiid
assume no powers-it should exercise
none which have not been clearly granted
by the parties to the federal compact
We ought to consiruo the constitution
strictly, according TO the received and
sound principles Of the Jefferson school.
But while rash experiments should be dep
rccatcd. if the Government is stationary
in its principles Of action, and refuses to
accommodate its measures, within its con.
sttutonal sphcre--cautiously indeed but
wisely and cheerfully-to the advancing
sentiments and necessities Of the age, it
will ii.id Its moral force impaired. and the
public will be determined to do what tho
public authority itself should readily do,
when the indications Of popular sentiment
are clear and clearly expressed:
With great respect, gentlemen. ] have
the honor to be your obedient servant,
LEWIS CASS.
lion. 4. Stevenson,
President of the Democratic Convcn-
vcnton and.
The Vice Presidents Of the same
The following is the "Dcmocratic Plat
form" resolutions, which Gen. Cass says
, he has carefully read'' and which he
says, empha,ically, II adhere to them as
firmly as I approve them cordially" We
hope our readers, Wing and Democrat.
, will also Carefully read" the above letter
of Gen. Cass and the ..Plauorm," and
, compare them with the sentiments as ex-
! pressed by Gen. Taylor in his Allison let
ter;-,l,en decide which candidate you
will vote for. Would you prefer a man
who pledges his soul and body to do all
' he can for his ''party' and for its benefit,
J or one who, although he declares he is
"a Whig-but not an ultra Whig," would
not be 1.-The mere President Of party!"
5 That is the question. Try both candid
atcs by the Jefferson rule: "Is he honest
; is he capable-is he faithful to the con-
, s,itution!" And now, here is
/. The PlaiCorm Of the Campaign.
4 (Adop,ed by the Bslimove Csareas;oa.l
= From "thc Umiom''
:. Mr.. HALLErr, Of Boston from the Com
!, mittee on Resolutions, read the following
). report:
II Reso1rcd, That the American Democ-
e racy place their trust in the intelligence,
.hc patriotism, and the discriminating JUS
r tice of the American people.
II Rcsolred. That we regard this as dis
- tinctive feature of our political creed,
i. which we are proud to maintain befote the
II world as the great mora! clement in q form
l. Of government springing from and up
!. held by the popular will; and we contras,
t. it with the creed and practice Of federal
IS ism, under whatever name or form, which
e seeks to palsy the will Of the constituent
n and which conceives no impostGre too
r monstrous fer the popular ctedulity.
,e Rcsoired, there fore, That, entertaining
ut these views, the Democratic party Of this
J. Union. through their delegates assembled
" in a general convention Of the States
d coming together in a spirit Of concord, o.
Of devotion to the doctrines and faith OF a
in free representative Government, and ap
III pealing to their fellow citizens for the rec
re fitude Of their intentions, renew and reas
e. sert, before the American people. the dec
in larations Of principles avowed BY then
n when, on former occasion, in genera
n convention, they presented their candid
IN ates for the popular suffrages.
as 1. That the Federal Government is one
r. of limited powers. derived solely from tn
ne constitution, and the grants Of powe
c. shown therein ought to BE strictly con
H. strued by all the departments and agent
US Of the Government; and that it is inexpe
Of dent and dangerous to exercise doubsfa
DO constitutional powers.
al g. That the constitution docs not con
Id fer Upon the General Government the pow
So er to commence and carry on genera
r. system of internal Improvements.
til 3. That the constitution does NOT con
n. fer authority upon the Fedora! Govern