The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-06-16
Resolutions of the Democratic National
Convention.

| the patriotism, and the discriminating JUS
lice of the American people.
RESOLVED. That we regard this as a as
~tinctive feature o. -four political creed, when
We are proud to maintain before the world.
AS the great moral element in a form OF
government, s%pringing from and upheld ny
the popular will; and we contrast 1t with
the creed and practice Of federalism nm
der whatever name or form. which seeks
10 palsy the will of the constituent. and
which copceiyes no imposture too mon
s,rous Tor the popular credulity.
PesoIred, therefore, That entertaining
/ these views. the democratic party OF Tins
Union. through their delegates assembled
in IA generalcomen,ion OF the States. com
ing together in a spirit of concord, OF de-
yo,ion to the doctrines and faith OF a Tree
representative government. and appealing
to their fellow citizens for the rectitude OF
their intentions. renew and re-assert. be-
fore the American people. the declarations
of principles avowed bv them when. on
former occasions. in general convention,
they presented their candidates Tor the
popular s~uffrages:
/. That the federal government is one
cr limited powers, derived solely from the
constitution. and the grants OF power made
therein ought to be strictly construed ny
. all the departments aud agents of the gov
eminent; and that it is i~nexpedient and
dangerous to exercise doubtful constitu-
tional powers.
9. That the constitution does not con-
fer upon the general government the power
J. to and carry on a general sys'
e tenn of internal improvements.
g 8. Tina, the constitution does not confer
authority upon the federal government, dl-
rectly or indirectly, to assume the debts
n Of the several States, contracted for local
# internal improvements. or other State pnr-
poses; nor would such assumption be Just
and expedient. 49,,
4. That Justice and sound policy forbid
the federal government to foster one branch
81 Of industry to the detriment OF any other,
or to cherish the interests Of one portion to
the injury of another portion of our com
'e mon country; that every citizen, and ev'
y cry section of the country has a right tc
,e demand and insist upon an equality o.
rights and privileges, and to complete and
ample protection of persons and'Property
from domestic violence or foreign aggres'
,e sion. ,
5. That it is the duty of every branch
of the government to enforce and practise
Re the most rigid economy in conducting ouI
re public affairs, and that no. more revenue
ought to be raised than is required TO de
fray the necessary expenses of the govern
3 ment, and tor the gradual but certain ex
8 ~tinction of the public debt.
6. That Congress has no power to char
=. ter a national bank; that we believe sucl
an institution one Of deadly hostility to thu
best interests of the country, dangerous t.
our republican institution and the liberties
of the people, and calculated to place thu
business OF the country within the contro
of a concentrated money power, and abov'
the laws and will OF the peoples; and tina
the results of democratic legislation. lin thi
and all other financial measures upol
which issues have been made between tn
two political parties OF the country. hav
demonstrated to candid and practical me
OF all parties, their soundness, safety an
utility in all business pursuits.
7. That the separation Of the money
OF the government from banking institl
tons is indispensable for the safety OF tn
funds Of the government and the rights
the people.
8. That the liberal principles embodle
hy Jefferson in the Declaration of lndepel
dence, and sanctioned in the constitution
which makes ours the land of liberty. an
the asylum of the oppressed of every n
ton, have ever been cardinal principles
the democratic faith; and every attempt
abridge the present privilege of becomlr
citizens and the owners OF soil among u
ought to he resisted with tho same spir
which swep, the alien and seditlon lay
from our statute books.
8. That Congress has no power und
the constitution to interfere with or cont
the domestic institutions of the sever
az States. and that such States are the sc
an and proper Judges of everything appertal
90 ing TO their own affairs. not prohibited
90 the constitution; that all efforts Of the at
90 l~itionis,s or others made to induce Co
90 rress TO interfere with questions OF s
90 very, or TO take incipient steps in re
90 ton thereto. are calculated to lead to
90 most alarming and dangerous consequt
90 ces: and that all such efforts have an II
90 yitable tendency 10 diminish the happin'
Al ofths people. and endangerthe stability a
40 permanency OF the Union. and ought
Xxx O be countenanced by any friend Of {
o8o ~tolitical institutions.
Resolred, That the foregoing propc
ton covers and was intended to embrt
.ae' the whole subject Of slavery agitation
Flor. Congress. and therefore the Democrs
oath. party of the Union, standing upon this
bal. tional platform, will abide By and adher'
mia. a faithful execution Of. the acts known
49,, the compromise measure. settled by the
! tn6 r. ,Lo Mt cor III raclaiminU oT IA