Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-06-16
From the National Intelligeneer.
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

form Of a Report, series Of political axioms
and propositions, elaboralely aud cautiously pre-
parel, with an intent to operate upon the pub |
lie mind in favor Of lis objects; which Report
received the unanimous appreciation Of the
Convention.
The Resolutions thus sanctioned claim more
attention than those Of the last Convention ol
that character, not only because we have seen
what use is likely TO be made Of them, but be-
cause in the present case the Resolutions were
reported aud discussed aud adopted in the face
of day, and in full assembly, and not, as in the
Convention Of 1914, after majority Of the
Members Of the Convention, ignoranIof the de-
sign, had departed for their homes. This Man
ifesto is entitled 10 such consideration as is due
90 the deliberate expression, by the Representa-
ives Of one Of the two great political parties OF
our country. of those sentiments II really enter
tains, and of those others which, with view TO
success, the party deems it polite to profess.
Had the Convention confined itself TO the
enuncialion of abstract propositions, some of
them mere lruisms, aud some others Of them
such US are common, pro(essedy at least, TO both
parties, we should probably not have troubled
ourreaders with any remarks of ours upon them.
But, when application Of these principles is
mpde to past events, aud particularly 10 the Ad.
minslration Of this Government during the last
three years Of Democratic whenlhe course
of that Administration is, without exception,
stamped with their approbalon; when a solemn
pledge is thus given that the Administration Of
The next President (should the Democratic can
didate succeed) shall be true copy Of SO admi-
rabe pattern; and when assent 10 all this is
...EJon,I,. oIa;r,aI tho ornnnd IF tho rust
placed by the authors Of this Manifesto in the
intelligence, tho patriotism, and The diScrininG-
ting Justice of THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, we can.
not, consistently with our opinion as part OF that
People, or with our duly in the station which
we occupy, allow this Appeal to go forth TO the
world without thorough examination OF lis
contents. We proceed therefore to
A REVIEW OF THE "PLATFoRM."
As much more solid as substance is than shad-
ow; as much better as fine gold is than failing
banks "promises to pay;" somucha are the pub
lie actions and conduct Of party, that has for
years held in a country almost constant sway, a
Ies, of its character and purposes superior 10 all
that il has found it profitable 10 promise or con.
Venent to profess as its "prlncpes." These
last may be erroneous or impossible, or, indeed
only intended to amuse and deceive: but lis ac'
lions cannot lie; its deliberate measures must be
reality lis practical administration must otle'
true Interpretation of what it means, OF wha
it is. As, however, is with the failing bank'
which, the mote their paper money is dlscred-
tied and sunk in value, are forced 10 issue the
more Of it-so is it now with those dccelvers
and managers who deludc and rule the people
by calling themselves DEMOCRATS: the more
they have misgoverned The country, and made
havoc in the constitution and laws, the more dc
thew enrich us with their professions and INSTRUCT
lis with their doctrines. Certainly they have
shortened the commandments to almost nothing
but they are stretching the Greed into 4 most co
pious one. Like that righteous sect of old, the
Pharisees, they lay heavy burhens on OIhel
mons shoulders, but ift them themselves viii
not so much as little finger: they bid other'
90 good, but do not as they say; they make lonG
prayers, while they are devourlng widows hou
ses; they compass sea and land TO make ont
proselyle, and, when made, hei5 more wicked thai
before; most reigiously do they pay uthe o
mint, and anise, and cumin, emitting only tht
weighlier matters of the law, Judgment, mercy
aud faith: excellent are they TO strain at con
stitutional gnut, like road or a canal in the U
IlltGu GNllCot WulO AiCJ S"ollpN "lNh S"'S W.
camel Of cut through the foreign islhmus o
Tehuantepec: a survey for harbor on our owl
Lakes they cannot stomach; but they have NJ
qualms about dispalchlng an expedition 10 sur
Vey the shore Of The Dead Sea. Very nice pee
pie are they about externaIs; and, in word, 70
Constitution that is TO be laid up in a sepu
che, all rorenness and dead mems bones with
in, alI whilcwashed without, we can imagine n
tomb more pharaSaica than that which the lat
Underwriters company, styling itself the "Dem
ocratic National Nominating Convention" hav
left behind them at Baltimore, under title Of tn
''Platlorm Of the Champaign"
The first sentences of this Manifesto to III
Democracy are us follows:
"Resolued, That the American Democrac
place their trust in the intelligence, the patrio
ism, and the discriminating justice of the Amer
ican people.
"Resoiued, That we regard this as distinc
tive feature Of our political creed, which we al
proud to maintain before the world as the grei
moral elemen. in form Of government spring
ing from and upheld by the popular will; au
we contrast it with the creed and practice Of fet
eralism, under Whatever name or form, whc
seeks to palsy the will of the constituent, an
which conceives no imposture TOO monslrol
for the popular creduliry."
They "pu. their trust in the Peoples INTEL
gence," do they! Good men ''put their rus
humbly in God alone, and rest not on the wea
ness Of any human dependence: The wise ''p
not their trust in Princes" Now, what mann
of men are these, who, with implous and savi:
adulalion, bring reverence tothe People whic
is only Gods, and which Monarchs themseve
If sober, would disown? Why, what are the
but men, who, instead Of having that trust
'the Peoples intelligence" which they proles
really confde in the very opposite, and expe
to blind The People to ali their own parly.oife
ces against liberty and the country, 10 facts Il
openesl and the worst, merely by thus affec,i
an infinite admiration for the popular iudgmen
Suppose il were given against them, no matt