Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-09-01
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

Now that the State contest is over, we re-pubhsh
below the Resolutions of the Baltimore Democrat
ic Convention and invite to the principles there
in laid down the attention and consideration Of the
neopIe generally Read them, Whigs and then
say if they are not thoroughly sound General
Pierce stands on this platform-he has endorsed
the principles here presented, not because it was
expected of him as a candidate, but because they
meet the approval of his Judgment and there is
NO act or word of his life in conflict with any one
Of them;
"Reselred. That the American Democracy place their
trust in the intelligence the patriotism, and the dis
eliminating Justice Of the American people.
Resulted, That regard this a distinctive fea-
ture of our political creed, which we proud to
maintain before the world, the great moral element
in form of government, springing from and upheld
by the popular will and we contrast with the creed
and practice of federalism, under whatever name or
form, which seeks TO palsy the will of the eonstlu-
ent, and which conceives no lmposure too monsrous
for the popular credulity.
ResoLred therefore, That entertaining these views,
the Democratic party of this Union, through their
delegates assembled in a general convention of the
States. coming together in spirit of concord of de-
voons the doctrines and faith of free represent
tative government and appealing to their fellow
citizens for the rectitude of their intentions,
and reassert before the American people, the decla-a
lions of principles avowed by them when, on former
occasions in general convention, they presented their
candidates for the popular sutfrages:
l. That the federal government is one of limited
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 xPedent and dangerous
10 exercise doubtful constitutional powers.
2. That the constitution does not confer upon the
general government the power to commence and carry
on a general system of internal improvements.
g. Tha, the constitution does not confer authority
upon the federal government, directly TO assume
the debts of the several States, contracted for local
internal improvements, or other State purposes; nor
would such assumption be just and expedient.
t. That justice and sound policy forbid the federal
government to foster branch of industry to the
detriment of any other, to cherish the interest of
portion to the injury of another of common
nry that every citizen, and every section of the
country, has right to demand and insist equal
ty ofrghts and privileges, and to complete and ample
protection of persons and property from domestic vlo-
lence foreign aggression.
5. That it is the duty of every branch of the gov
TO enforce and practice the most rigid econo
my in conducting our public affairs, and more
venue ought be raised than is required to defray
the necessary expenses of the government and for the
gradual but certain extinction of the public debt.
6. That Congress has no power TO charter nation
al bank that we believe such an institution one of
deadly hostility the best interests of the country
dangerous our republican institutions, and the lib
of the people, and calcu lated to place the busi
OF the country within the control of concentra
ted money power and above the laws and the will of
the people and that the results of democratic legs
latUn, in this and all other financial upon
which issues have been made between the two poit-
cal parties of the country, have demonstrated to
practical and candid men Of all partes their sound
ness, safety and utility in all business pursuits.
J. That the separation of the mo neys of the gov
ernment from banking institutions is indispensable for
the safely of the funds OF the government and the
rights of the people.
8. That the liberal principles embodied by Jeffer.
in lhe Declaration of Independence and sanction
ed by 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
present privilege of becoming citizens and of
soil among US, ought to be resisted with the same
spirit which swept the alien and sedtion laws from
our statute books.
.. That Congress has no power under the consti-
tuition TO interfere with control the domestic nsti
tunons OF the several States, and that such States are
he sole and proper Judges of every thing apperain-
Ing TO their own affairs not prohibited by the consI-
tuition; that all efforts of the abotonisrs or others
made to induce Congress interfere with questions
OF slavery, or take ncpen steps in relation thereto
are calculated 10 lead to the most alarming and dang
erous consequences and that all such efforts have an
inevitable tendency to diminish the happiness of the
people, and endanger the stability and permanency of
the Union, and ought not to be counlenanced by any
friend OF our political institutions
ResOiUed, That the foregoing pronosi,ion md
was Intended to embrace the whole subject of slavery
agitation In Congress, and, therefore, The democratic
party OF the Union, standing upon this national plat
"hl doIue oy ana ddner6 to faithful execution
% tns acts known as the compromise measures, set
tied by the last Congess-the act for the recIaminq
OF iugllves from service or labor included which act
oeng designed to carry out express provision of the
constitution, cannot, with 6deIitv thereto ho
or so changed, to destroy or imnair ito eaSc.cv
Res'lOed That the Democratic party will resist ali
attempts at renewing in Congress or out of il. the
agtaIlon OF me slavery question, under whateve er
shape or color the attempt may be made
ReSOlUed, That the proceeds of the public lands
ought to be sacredy applied to the national objects
specified in the constitution; and that we are opposeG
TO any law for the distribution of such proceeds anon
the States as alike nexPedient in policy, and repug
nant to the constitution.
Hesofced, That are decidedly opposed to taking
rom the President the qualified veto power, by which
he is enabled under restrictions and responsibilities
amply sufficient TO guard the public interest, to sus
Peno Inc passage of bill whose merits secure
Me eaPProVal OF two thirds of the Senate and House