The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1852-08-25
Free Soil Platform.

iTIoN as the delegates of the free Democra-
icy of the United States, united by a common
resolve to maintain rights against wrongs,
and Freedom against Slavery; confding in
the intelligence, the patriotism, and the dis
terminating justice of the American People;
putting our trust in God for the triumph of
our cause, and invoking his guidance in our
endeavors to advance i've now submit toI
the candid judgment of all men the follow
ing declaration of principles and measures:
/. That Governments deriving their just
powers from the consent of the governed, are
Instituted among men to secure to all, those
inalienable rights oflife, liberty and the pur-
suit of happiness, with which they are en-
dowed by their Creator, and of which none
can be deprived by valid legislation, except
for crime.
g Thrt the true mission of the American
Democracy is to maintain the Liberties of
the People, the Sovereignty of the States,
and the perpetuity of the Union, by the i'm
partial application to public affairs, without
sectional discrimination of the fundamental
principles of equal rights, strict justice, and
economical administration.
5. That the Federal Government is one of
limited powers, derived solely from the Con-
stitution, and the grants Of power therein
ought to be strictly constructed, by all the
departments and agents Of the governments;
and it is nexpedient and dangerous to cxer-
else doubtful constitutional powers.
4. That the Constitution Of the United
States ordained to form more perfect union,
to establish justice, and secure the blessings
of liberty, expressly denies to the general
Government all power to deprive any person
Of life, liberty, or property, without due pro-
cess of law; and therefore, the government.
having no more power to make slave than
to make king, andn more power to estab-
lsh Slavery than to establish monarchy,
should at once procaed to relieve herself
from all responsibility for the existancc Of sla-
very, wherever it possesses constitutional
power to legislate for its extinction.
5, That to the perseverlng importunate de-
mands of the Slave Power for more S2ave
Stotes, ncey Slope Territories and tie natjon
4 0IigatjoD Of SlaoeFy, our distinct and final
answer is-No MORE SLAVE STATES, NO
SLAVE TERRITORY, NO NATIoNAL1zED SLAVERY
and NO NATIONAL LEGISLATION FOR TIE EX-
TRADITION OF SLAVES.
6. That the acts of Congress known as the
Compromise measures Of 1850, by making
the admission ofasoyereign State contingent
upon the adoption of other measures deman-
ded by the special interests of Slavery, by
their omission to guarantee freedom in free
territories; by their attempt to impose un-
constitutional limitations on the power Of
! Congress and the people to admit new
States, by their provision for the assumption
of five millions of the State debt Of Texas,
and for the payment of five millions more
and the cession of a large territory to the
same State, undqrmenace, as an inducement
to the REIMBURSEMENT Of groundless claim;
and by their invasion of the sovereignty of
= the States, and the liberties of the people
thro' the enactments of an unjust, oppressive
; and unconstitutional Fugitive Slave Law
are proved to be incosistent with all theprin-
, cIples and maxims of Democracy, and wEol-
e y inadequate to the settlement of the ques-
tons of which those are claimed to be an
adjustment.
/, r. That no permanent settlement of the
= Slavery question can be looked for, except
= in the practical recognition of the truth, shat
e Slavery is sectional and Freedomis national,
: by the total separation of the General Gov
It crnment from slavery, and the exercise o
= its legitimate and constitutional influence on
= the side of Freedom, and by leaving to the
States the whole subject of Slavery and the
t extradition of fugitives from service.
e 8. That due regard for the Federal Con
= sttution and sound administrative policy,
V demands that the funds of the General Coy
t ernment be kept separate from banking in
II stutions that inland and ocean postage
S should be reduced to the lowest possible
e point that nomor revenue should be raised
e than is required to dcfray the strictly ne
cessary expense of public service and to pay
e off the public debt, and that the power and
S patronage of the Government shonld be di.
It minished by the abolition of all unnecessary
= officers, salaries, and privileges; and by the
e election by the people of all civil officers ii
e the service of the United States, so far as
may be consistent with the prompt and eff
, cieent'transactons of the public business.
e 8. That River and Harbor Improvements
l. when necessary to the safety and convent
N ence of commerce with foreign nations or a
Of mong the several States, are objects of Ma
to tional concern, and it is the duty of congress
S, in the exercise Of its constitutional powers
III to provide for the same.
10 10. That the emigrants and exiles from
m the Old World should find cordial welcom
to to homes of comfort and fields Of enterprls
a in the New; and every attempt to abrldg'
Id their privilege ofbecoming citizens and own
to ers of the soil among us, ought to be resis
e, ted with infexihe determination.
he IL. That the Public Lands Of the Unite'
S, States belong to the people, and should no
Sc be sold to individuals, nor granted to corpo
y, rations, but should be held as sacred trus
ht for the benefit of the people, and should b.
OF granted in limited quantities, free of cost, t
e. landless settlers.
q V. That every nation has clear right t
AZ alter or change its own government, and t
u, administer its own concerns, in such man
Oh ner as may best secure the rights and pro
le mote the happiness of the people; and for
eign interference with that right is a dan
is gerous violation of the laws of nations, a
s. gainst which they should protest, and en-
4 deavour by all proper means to prevent. AM
to especially is it the duty of the America
y Government, representing the chief Repub