Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-08-26
DOCUMENTS FOR THE TINES;
The National Platforms.

DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL PLATFOR M
Resolved Thatthe American Democracy Mace
their trust in the intelligence, patriotism. and the
discriminating justice Of the American people
ReSo'Ued, That we regard this as a distinctive
feature of our political creed, which we are proud
to maintain before The world as the great moral
element in a form of 90 crnment, sprinnipu from
and upheld by the popu ar 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 con-
celves no lmpostuy3 too monstrous fer the popu-
lar credulIty,
ResoIced, therefore, That entertaining these
views, the Democratic party of this Union,
through their delegates assembled in general
convention of the States, coming together in
spirit of concord, Of devotion to the doctrines and
faith OF free representative government and
Appealing to their fellow citizens for the recutude
OF their intentions, renew and reasser before
The American people the declarations of principles
aVOwed by them when, on former occasions in
general convention, they presented their candid
stes for the popular suffrage =
|, That The federal government is one of lin
tied powers, derived solely FROM the constitution;
and the grants of power made therein ought to
be strictly construed by all the departments and
agents OF the government and that it is inexpe-
dent and dangerous 10 exercise doubtful consi.
tutional powe@.
That the constitution does not confer upon the
general government the power to commence and
carry on general system of internal improve.
ments.
6. That the constitution does rot confer author
ity upon the federal govrnment, directly ndirect-
ly, TO assume the debts of the several States,
contracted for local and internal Improvements
or other State mposes nor would such assump-
ton be just or eXpedlent.
i. That Justice and sound policy forbid the
federal government to foster one branch of liz
dustry TO the detriment of any other, or 10 cher
lsh the interest OF one portion to the injury of
another portion of our common country that
every citizen, and every section of the country.
has right to demand and insist upon on equal.
lty OF rights and privileges, and to complete and
ample protection OF persons and property from
domestic violence or foreign aggression.
>, That it is the duty of every branch of the
government to enforce and practice the most
rigid economy in conducting our public affairs,
and that no more revenue ought to he raised
than is required to defray the necessary expen-
SEQ of the government, and for the gradual but
certain extinction of the public debt
6. That Congress has no power to charter
national bunk; that we believe such an institu-
ton one Of deadly hostility to the best interests
of the country, dangerous to our republican in
stitutlons and the liberties OF the people, and
calculated to place the business of the country
within the control OF a concentrated money pow
er, and above the laws and the will Of the people;
aud that the results of Democratic LEGISLATION.
in this and all other financial measures upon
which issues have been made between the two
political parties of the country, have demonsra.
ted to candid and practical men, of all parties,
their souDdness, safety, and utility, in all bust
ness pursuits.
Z. That the separation Of the money Of the
government from banking institutions is indis-
pensable for the safety Of the funds of the gov
ernment and the rights of The people,
8. That the liberal principles embodied by
jefferson in the Decarasion of Independence,
and sanctioned in The Constitution, which makes
ours THE LAND OF LIBERTY, and THE ASYLUM
OF THE OPPRESSED Of every nation, have ever
been cardinal principles in the Democratic faith,
and every attempt to abridge the privilege Of be-
coming citizens and The OtUners Of soil among as,
ought to be INSISTED with the same spirit
which swept the alien and sediton laws from our
s.atute book
8. That Congress has no powers under the
Constitution to interfere with or control the do
nestle institutions Of the several States, and that