Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-06-09

Resolutions Of the DE moe ratio National Com
ve1itiofs, 1859.
Resolred, That tho American Democracy
place their trust in the intelligence, the pa
triotism, and the discriminating justice of the
American people.
/ Reeolred. That we regard this as dis
tinctive feature Of our political creed which
we are proud to maintain before the world as
tho great moral clement in a form Of govern
mcnt sprnging from and upheld by tie pop
ular will ; and we contrast it with the creed
and practice of Federalism, under whatever
name or form, which seeks to palsy the will
of the constituent, and which conceives no
Iimposture too monstrous for the popular
credulty.
Resolred, therefore, Tha., entertaining
! these views, the Democratic party Of this
Union, through their Delegates assembled in
general convention, coming together in a
a spirit Of concord. Of devotion to the doe
trincs and faith OF free representative GOV.
ernment, and appealing to their fellow citi-
Gems Of the rcctitude of their intentions re-
new and re assert before the American peo-
| pie the declarations of principles ayowed by
| them when. on former occasions IN general
dates for the popular suifragcs.
l.. That the Federal Government is one Of
limited powers, derived solely from the Con-
st;tuton; aud the grants of power made
therein ought to be strictly construed by ali
the departments and agents Of the Govern
ment; and that it is inexpcdient and dan
serous ito exercise doubtful constitutional
powers
2. That The Constitution does not coafer
upon the General Government the power to
commence and carry on general system Of
Internal improvements
3, That the Constitution docs not confef
authority upon the Federal Government, dir
rectly or indirectly, to assume the debts o.
the several States. contracted for lacal and
internal improvements, or other State purpo-
ses; nor would such assumption be just or
expedieut.
4, That justice and sound policy forbid the
Federal Government to foster one branch Of
industry TO tie detriment Of any other, or to
cherish the interests Of one portion to the IN
jury Of another portion of our common coun
try; that every citizen and every section Of
the country has right to demand and insist
upon an equality of rights and privileges and
to complete aud ample protection Of persons
and property from domestic violence or for
cign aggression.
o. That it is the duty Of every branch of
the Government to enforce aud practise the
most rigid economy in conducting our public
affairs, and that no more revenue ought to be
raised than is required to defray the neces
sary expenses Of the Government, aud for
the gradual but certain extinction Of the pub
lie debt
O. That Congress has no power to charter
a national bank; that we believe such an in
stitution one Of deadly hostility to the best
interests OF the country, dangerous to our re-
publican institutions and the liberties of the
people, and calculated to place the business
OF the country within the control of concen.
trated money power, and above the laws and
the will OF the people; and that the results
Of Democratic legislation, in this and other
financial measures upon which issues have
been made between the two political parties
OF the country, have demonstrated to candid
ana practical men OF all parties, their sound
ness, safety, and utility in all bushes pur-
suits.
That the separation Of the monies OF
the Government from banking institutions is
indispensable for the safety OF the funds of
the Government and the rights of the people.
:. That the liberal principles embodied hy
Jefferson in the Declaration Of Independence
and sanctioned in the Constitution which
makes ours the land of liberty. aud the asy
lum Of the oppressed of every nation, have
ever been cardinal principles in the Demo-
cratic faith, and every attempt to abridge the
privilege OF becoming citizens and the owners
OF soil among us, ought to be resisted with
the same spirit which swept the alien and Sc
dltion laws from our statute books.
D. That Congress had no power under the
Constitution to interfere with or control the
domestic institutions Of tho several States
ana that such States are the sole and prop
esJudges OF everything appertaiuing to their
own affairs not prohibited by the Constitu-
ton; that all efforts Of the abolitionists or
others made to induce Congress to interfere
with questions of slavery, or to take incipient
steps IN relation thereto, are calculated TO
lead to tho most alarming ana dangerous
consequences; and that all such efforts have
an inevitable tendency to diminish the banpi-
ness OF the people. and cndanger the stabil-
ny and permanency Of the Union. and ougat
net 20 oe countenanced by any friend Of our
! political institutions
Resotred That the foregoing proposition
covers, and was intended to embrace tho
whole subject Of slavery agitation in Com
gress; aud therefore, the Democrats Marty
OF the Union, standing on this national Mat
form VIII abide by and adhere to q faithful