The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-07-07


assert before the American people the declarations
of principles avowed by them when, on former oc-
casions, in general convention, they have presented
their candidates for the popular suffrnges
al. That the Federal Government is one of linn
tied powers, derived solely from the Constitution,
and the grants of power therein ought to strictly
construed by all the departments and agents OF
the Government; and that 1t is inexpedient and
| dangerous to exercise doubtful constitutional
powers ... ... @-
.2. That the Constitution does not confer upon
| the General Government the power to commence
and carry general system of internal i'm
provenents.
80. That the Constitution does not confer
thority upon the Federal Government, directly
Indirectly, to assume the debts of the several
States. contracted for local and internal improve
monts or other State purposes; nor would such
sumption be just cxpedient
-. That justice and sound policy forbid the
Federal Government to foster one branch of indus
try to the dcrment of any other, TO cherish tho
interests Of one portion to the injury of ane thcr
portion ofour common country; that every citizen.
and every section Of the country, has right TO de-
mand and insist upon an equality of rights and
privileges and tn complete and ample protection Of
persons and property from domestic violence or
foreign aggression.
"5 That il 10 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 be raised than is requir
ed 10 deray the necessary expenses OF the Govern
menti and for The gradual but certain extinction
Of tho public debt.
"6. That Congress has no power to charter
National Bank; that we believe such an institution
of deadly hostility to the best interests OF the
cocn.ry, dangerous to our republican institutions
and the liberties of the people, and calculated to
place the business of the country within the con-
trol of concentrated money power, and above the
laws and the will of the people; and that the re-
suits 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 demonstrated, 10 candid and prac-
tical men of all parties, their soundness, safety,
and utility in all business pursuits.
81. That the separation of the moneys OF the
government from banking institutions Is indispen-
sable for the safety of the funds OF the government
and the rig h,e Of the people.
"S. That the liberal principles embodied by JEFF
ferson in the Declaration Of Independence, and
sanctioned in the Constitution, which makes ours
the land Of liberty and the asylum Of the oppressed
of every nation have been cardinal principles
in the Democratic faith; and every attempt to
abrdge the privilege of becoming citizens and the
OWncFs Oh SUI among Us OuSht W pS ieS'obee "N'A
the spirit which swept the alien and sedition
la ws from statute books.
"9. That Congress ha, no power under the Con-
stitution to interfere with control the domestic
Institutions of the several States, and that such
States the sole and proper judges OF every thing
appertaining to their own affairs, not prohlblted
by the Consti ution; that all efforts of the Adolf
tionsts or others made to induce Congress to in
terfcrc with quest OF slavery or to take incipi
ent steps in relation thereto, calculated to lead
70 the most alarming and dangerous consequences;
and that all such efforts have an inevitable ten
dency to diminish the happiness of the people and
endanger the stability and pcrmanency OF tho
Union, and ought not to be countenanced by any
friend of our political institutions.
Nv. "Rssolcsd, That the foregoing proposition CO.
vcrs and intended to embrace the whole subject
of slavery agitation in Congress-; and therefore the
Democratic party Of the Union, standing on this
national platform, will abide by and adhere to
faithful execution Of the acts known as the Com
promise measures settled By the last Congress,
',he act for retaining fugitivcs from service or
labor included; which act, being designed to
carry out an express provision of the Constitution,
cannot with fidelity thereto be repealed or 30
changed as to destroy impair its efficiency.
v. "Rcsopcd, That the Democratic party will re-
sist all attempts at renewing, in out oft
the agitation of the slavery question, under what
ever shape or color the attempt may be made ~
VI "Rssolrsd, That the proceeds of the public
lands gu to be sacredy applied to the national OBJ
ects specified in the Constitution; and that we are
opposed to any law for the distribution OF such pro-
ceeds among the States, as alike inexpedient in
policy and repugnant to the Constitution.
VII. "Resolped, That decidedly opposed
to taking from the President the qualified veto
power, by which he is enabled, under restrictions
and responsibilities amply sufficient to guard the
public interest 10 suspend the passage of bill
whose merits cannot secure the approval OF two
thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives
until the judgment of the people can be obtained
thereon, and which has saved the American peo-
pie from the corrupt and tyrannical domination OK
the Bank of the United States, and from a cor
ruptipg system of general Internal improvements.
VIII. "Resolred That the Democratic party will
faithfully abide by and uphold the principles laid
down in the Kentucky md Virginia resolutions OF
1898, and in the report of Mr.. Madison TO the Sir-
ginia legislature in 1919; that it adopts those prn
cples constituting one OF the main iounohuons
of its political creed and is resolved to carry them
out in their obvious meaning and import
TX. "ResoIped, That the war with Mexico, upon
all tho principles of patriotism and the laws OF ma
tons was Just and necessary war on our part, IN
which every American citizen should have shown
| himself on the side of his country, and neither
morally physically, by word or deed, have
given aid and comfort to the enemy -.
X. "ResoUed, That rejoice at the restoration
of friendly relations with our sister republic OF Mex
ico and earnestly desire for her all the blessings
! and prosperity which VIC enjoy under republican
institutions; and congratulate the American
pcuple upon the results of that war; which have so
lnaniiestly justified the policy and conduct OF the
Democratic party and insured to the United States
| <ipIr for the and security Ter the iu-
! turc.'
XI. "Re,olued That, in view of the condition OF
| popular institutions in the Old World, high and
sacred duty is dcvolved, with increased response
| bility, upon the Democratic party of this country,
as the party Of the people, TO upbahl and nintain
the rights of every State, and thereby the Union
f he States, and To sustain and advance among
us constitutional liberty by continuing to resist all
monopoes and exclusive legislation for the benefit