The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1852-06-17
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

we can bear testimony, (having been present, J
to the unanimous acquiescence of the convention
to the resolutions No better platform could
hive been constructed-we ask for no sounder
principles than it contains-every Democrat in
our broad land can endorse it-and the united
Democracy aciU triumph through it in November
next.
Resolved, That the American Democracy
place their trust in the intelligence, the patriot
ism, and the discriminating justice of the Amer
lean people.
Resolved, That we regard this as distinc-
tive feature of our political creed, which we are
proud to maintain before the world as the great
moral element in a form of government spring
ing from and upheld by the popular will and we
contrast it with the creed and practice of feder-
alism under whatever name or form, which
seeks to palsy the will of the constituent, and
which conceives no imposture too monstrous for
the popular credulity.
Resolved, therefore, That entertaining these
views, the Democratic party of this Union,
through their delegates assembled in general
convention of the States, coming together IN a
spirit of concord, of devotion to the doctrines
and faith of a free representative government,
and appealing to their fellow citizens for the
rectitude of their intentions, renew and re-as-
sert before the American people, the declara-
tons of principles avowed by them, when, on
former occasions, in general convention, they
presented their candidates for the popular suff-
rages
1. That the federal government is one of lin
tied powers, derived solely from the constitu-
ton, 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 in
expedient and dangerous to 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 i'm
provements.
3. That the constitution does not confer au-
thority upon the federal government, directly
or indirectly, to assume the debts of the several
States, contracted for local internal improve
ments, or other State purposes; nor would such
assumption, be just and expedient.
4. That justice and sound policy forbid the
federal government to foster one branch O? in
dustry to the detrimeut of any other, or to cher-
ish the interests 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 an equal
ity of rights and privileges, and to complete an
ample protection of persons and property from
domestic violence or foreign aggression.
5. That it is the duty of every branch of the
government to enforce and practise the most ri
gid economy in conducting our public aff,irs,
and that no more revenue ought to be raised
than is required to defray the necessary expen-
ses of the government, and for the gradual but
certain extinction of the public debt
6. That Congress has no power to charter a
national bank; that we believe such an institu-
ton one of deadly hostility to the best interests
of the country, dangerous to our republican in
stitutions 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 viii of the peo-
pie; and that the results of Democratic legisla-
ton, in this and all other financial measures up
on which issues have been made between the
two political parties of the country, have dem
onstrated to candid and practical men of all
parties, their soundness, safety and utility in all
business pursuits.
7. That the separation of the moneys 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 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 ever been cardi-
nal principles in the democratic faith; and eve
ry attempt to abridge the present privilege of
becoming citizens and the owners of soil among
US, ought to be resisted with the same spirit
which swept the alien and sedition laws from
our statute books.
8. That Congress has no power under the con-
stitution to interfere with control the domes-
tic institutions of the several States, and that
such States are the sole and proper judges of
everything appertaining to their own affairs,
not prohibited by the constitution; that all eff
Orts of the abolitionists or others made 70 in
duce Congress to interfere with questions of fsla-
very, or to take ineipient steps in relation,
thereto, are calculated to lead to the most alar-
ming and dangerous consequences; and that all
such efforts have an inevitable tendency to dim
inish the happiness of the people, and endanger
the stability and permanency of the Union, and
ought not to be countenanced by any friend of
our political institutions.
1y-al hot +Iaf