Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-06-16
The Democratic Platform.
RESOLUTIONS OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATION
AL CONVENTION.


Sihetive feature of our political Creed.whl~h
we are proud to maintain before the world,
as the great moral element in form OF
government, springing from and upheld by
the popular Will; and We contrast 1t with
the creed and practice of federalism under
whatever name or form, which seeks to
palsy the will of the constituent, and which
couceives no imposture too monstrous tor
the popular creduhty.
Reso}ved, therefore, That, entertaining
these views, the Democratic party of this
Union, through their delegates assembled
in general Convention of the States COM
ing together in spirit of concord, of devo-
ton TO the doctrines and faith Of a free rep
resentative government, and appealing to
their fellow-citizens for the rectitude Of
their intentions, renew and reassert, before
the American people, the declarations of
principles avowed by hem when, on for
ner occasions, in general convention, they
presented their candidates for the popular
SURFACES:
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 gov
ernment; and that it is inexpedient and
dangerous toexercise doubtful constitution
al powers.
2. That the constitution does not confer
upon the general government the power to
commence and carry on general system
Of internal improvements.
3, That the constitution does not confer
authority upon the federal government, di-
rectly or indirectly, to assume the debts of
the several States, contracted for local in
teinal improvements, or other State purpo-
ses nor would such assumption be just
and expedient.
4. That justice and sound policy forbid
the federal government to foster one branch
Of industry to the detriment of any other,
or to cherish the interests Of one portion to
the injury of another portion Of our COM
common country; 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 and
ample protection of persons and property
from domestic violence or foreign aggres.
sion.
S. That it is the duty Of every branch Of
the government to enforce and practice the
most rigid economy in conducting our pub
lie affairs, and that no more revenue ought tc
be raised than is required to defray the ne
cessary expenses of the government, and fol
the gradual but certain extinction of the
public debt
s. That Congress has no power to char.
ter national bank; that we believe such
an institution one of deadly hostility to the
best interests of the country, DANCE
Gus 70 our republican institutions and
the Liberties of the people, and calculated
to place the business of the country within
the control of concentrated money pow,
er, and above The laws aud the will of the
people ; and that the results of democratic
legislation, in this and all other financial
measures upon which issues have beer
made between the two political parties o.
the country, have demonstrated to candid
and practical men of all parties, their sound
ness, safety and utility in all business pur.
suits.
z. That the separation of the moneys oil
the government from banking institutions
Is indispensable for the safety of the funds
Of the government and the rights of the
people.
s. That the liberal principles embodied
by Jefferson IN the Declaration Of Indepen,
dence, and sanctioned in the constitution
which makes ours the land Of liberty, and
the asylum of the oppressed of every ma
ton, have ever been cardinal principles in
the democratic faith; and every 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 law:
from our statute books.
8. That Congress has no power under
the constitution to interfere with or contro
the domestic institutions of the severa
States, and that such States are the sole
and proper judges of everything appertain
ing to their own affairs not prohibited by
the constitution that all efforts Of the abo
htionists or others made to induce Congress
to interfere with questions of slavery, or tc
take inciplent steps in relation thereto, are
calculated to lead to the most alarming anc
dangerous consequences, and that all such
efforts have an inevitable tendency to di.
minish the happiness of the people and en-.
danger the stability and permanency of the
Union, and ought not to be countenanced
by any friend of our political institutions.
r soired, That the foregoing proposition
covers and was intended TO embrace the
whole subject of slavery agitation IN Con-
gress, and therefore the Democratic party
of the Union, standing upon this national
platform, will abide by and adhere to q
faithful execution of the acts known as the
compromise measures, settled by the last
Congress-the act tor the retaining of fu-
gitiveS from service or labor included, which
act, being designed to carry out an express
provision Of the constitution, cannot, with
1deilty thereto, be repealed or so changed
as to destroy or impair It's efficiency.
ResOlDed, That the Democratic party will
resist all attempts at renewing in Congress
or out OF it, the agitation of the Slavery
question, under whatever shape or color
the attempt may be made.
Resolved, That the proceeds of the pub
tic lands ought to be sacredly applied to
he national objects specified in the consti-
luton; and that we are opposed to any law
for the distribution of such proceeds a.
mong the States, as alike inexpedient in
policy, and repugnant to the constitution.
Resolped, That we are decidedly oppos-
ed to taking from the President the qualif-
ed veto power, by which he is enabled ,un-
der restrictions and responsibilities, amply