Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-06-12
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

place their trust in the intelligence, the pa
iriotism, and the discriminating justice Of
the American people.
Resolved, That we regard this as dis
iinctive feature Of our political creed, which
we are proud to maintain before the world,
as the great moral element in a form of
government, springing from and upheld By
the popular will and we contrast il with
the creed and Practice Of federalism, under
whatever name or form, which seeks to pal
sy the will Of the constituent, and which
conceives no imposlure too numerous for the
popular credulty.
Resolved, 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-
tion to the doctrines and faith Of free rep
reseniative government, and appealing TO
their fellow citizens for the recitude of
their intentions, renew and re.assert, before
the American people, the declarations of
principles avowed by them, when, on for
mer occasions, in general convention, they
presented their candidates for the popular
snffrages:
]. That the Federal Government is one of
limited powers, derived solely from the
Constitution, and the grants of power made
therein onght to be strictly constructed by
all the departments and agents of the gov
ernmeni; and that it is inexpedient and dam
gerous 10 exercise doubtful constitution pow
ers.
.. That the Constitution does not courcr
upon the General Government the power TO
commence and carry on general system
Of internal Improvements.
3 That the Constitution does no, confer
authority upon the Federal Government,
directly or indirectly, TO assume the debts
of the several States contracted for local
internal Improvements, OF other State pur-
poses; nor would such assumption be jus,
aud expedent.
4. That Justice and sound policy forbid
the Federal Government 10 foster one branch
or TO cherish the interests of one portion TO
the injury Of another portion Of our common
country ; that IveIy citizen, and every Sec
tior Of the conntty, has right 10 demand
privileges, and to complete and ample pro-
lection of persons and property from do
meslic violence or foreign aggression.
S. That it is the duty of every branch OF
the government 10 enforce and practice the
most riged economy in conducting our pub.
lie affairs and that no more revenue ought
TO be raised than is required 10 defray the
necessary expenses Of the government and
for the gradual but certain extinction Of the
public debt,
| G. Tha, Congress has no power 10 charter
a National Bark That we believe such al
institution one Of deadly hostility TO the best
interests of the country, dangerous to oul
republican institution and the Liberties Of the
people, and calculated 10 place The busiues:
of our country within the control of n con.
centrated 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 de-
monstraled 10 candid and practical men o
all parties, their .oundness, safety and utility
in all pursuits.
7. That the separation of the moneys o
the government from banking institutions
is indispensable for the safety of the funds
Of the Government and the rights of tht
people.
That the liberal principles embodied
by jefferson in the Declaration of lndepen
dence, and sanctioned in the Constitution
which makes ours the land of liberty, ant
the asylum Of the oppressed of every nation
have ever been cardinal principles in III,
Democratic faith and every attempt II
abridge the privilege of becoming citizen
and the owners of soil among us ought II
be resisted with the same spirit whicl
swept the alien and sedi,ion laws from on
statute books
9 That Congress has no power under th
Constitution 10 interfere with or contro, tn
domestic institutions of the several State:
and that snch States are the sole and prope
judges of everything apperlaining to thei
own affairs, not prohibited by the constitn
tion that all efforts of the abolilionists O
others made TO induce Congress 10 interfer
with questions of slavery, or TO take in
cipient steps in relation thereto, are calcua
ted TO lead to the most alarming and dan
gerous consequences and that all such eI
forts have an inevitable tendency TO dimir
ish the happiness of the peoples, and endar
ger the stability and permanency of tn
Union, and ought not 10 be countenanced b
any friend of our political institutions.
Resolved, Tha, the foregoing propostio
covers and was intended to embrace III
whole subject of slavery agitation in Cor
gress, and therefore the Democratic party {
the Union, standing OH this national platlorr
will abide by and adhere TO The failhll
execution of the Acts known as the Comprc
mise measures settled by the last Congress-
the Act for reclaiming fugilves from servic
or labor included which ac, beinp desiof