The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-12

selves for the present 10 brief review OF its general
scope and provisions, Commencing with recognition
OF the great distinctive characteristic OF true democracy
its entire reliance upon the intelligence justice ard patr
osm OF the peopeand contrasting it with the opposing
features displayed in the creed and practice Of federal
ism. it calls upon the democratic party the dec.
laration Of its former principles
These enoin strict construction OF the constitution
and limitation OF the federal government to the powers
granted BY that instrument the reputation OF gene
raj system OF internal improvements by the general gov
emment denial of its authority to or pay the
debts OF the States, favor the interests OF portion
OF its citizens TO the prejudice OF another all being en
lied TO demand and insist upon equality OF rights and
privileges They nculcate strict economy in the conduct
of public affairs, and prohibit the collection OF more eve-
nue. than necessary for the expenses of government
and the payment OF the public debt They deny the power
OF Congress 10 charter National Bank or the policy or
safety of lnnstng the public funds oany banking nst
tloas They strongly denounce every attempt abrdge
the privilege now exiended to all OF becoming citizens
and the owners OF the soil; and emphatcally assert that
Congress has power under the constitution to interfere
with control the domestic institutions OF the several
States, especially deprecaing and condemnng all efforts
OF aboonsts and others induce Congress TO interfere
with questions OF slavery, take incpent steps in
aon thereto, as dangerous in the extreme Such is the
line OF policy, and such the rules for the admins
,ration OF the government, prescribed by the od.es-
tabished principles OF the democratic party Is there in
this broad land one who Processes TO belong
to that party who does not cordially and unreservedly
approve OF them' The resolutions which follow
either explanatory, in furtheance Of in accord
WITH The foregoing Ii is especially resolved that,
in denying the existence of any constitutional right of in
reference with the domestic institutions Of the Staes it
was intended to include the whole subject OF anti slavery
agitation in Congress and thar the democratic party,
standing upon this platform, will abide by and adhere
faithful execution Of the acts known the compro-
mise measures settled by the last Congress-he act for
retaining fugitives from servude labor included
which, being designed 10 carry out an express pro-
vision Of the constitutions cannot with fidelity to that in
sunent be repealed its efficiency impaired And II is
also resolved that the democratic party will resist all at
temps at renewing ant-slavery agitation under what
ever shape color they may be made, whether in Coo
gross ont of it,
Now, these two last resolutions the natural and
necessary result of the practical application of the first
and most important democratic principle announced-ihat
the federal should be strictly limited TO the
exercise of the powers granted by the constitution. The
constitution recognises the institution of slavery. and
makes provision single instance for its protection
but il nowhere either expressly implicitly, coners
upon the government, any power 10 legisa,e upon
the subject, except such may be deduced from
the necessity OF carrying ou that single provision. II
the powers OF government and the legislation of Congress
bad always been strictly limited in accordance with the
spirit of this purely democratic principle, there would
have been aggression. agitation upon The slavery
faf IF pSfifu
TONS and no need Of measures of compromise and
known and appreciated not only by the party but by the
counpy; and the time is far distant when the
who is not in favor OF strict construction OF the cons
uon and rigid limitation of the powers OF government
BY il, will not only 10 be. considered democrat.
but even republican In short, the OF the
last few years have invested this principle with degree
of nationality which will hereafter render it predoni-
nan and triumphant The democracy are rallied upon ii
10 man; the peopethe of the peopledemand its
assertion and maintenance and it because it does not
form an article in the creed OF opponents and because
they cannot and will pledge themselves to adopt it,
or put forward who will carry ont. that they
cannot succeed in the coming contest against party who
have syen the strongest assurance, their and
their men. Of their determination 10 adhere 10 it to the
upon ISSUE siOuc we NbilIS 10 put om-
selves upon the country.
The nextHo resolutions in regard 10 the constitutional
disposition OF the proceeds OF the public lands and the
retention all its efficiency, Of the veto power pres
dena prerogatve, not only in accordance with the
established principles OF The party, but would 10 be
called for by the OCCASION The most prominent among the
whg leaders having in particular expressed his opposition
to the continuance or exercise OF the veto.
The reaffmaton Of the Kentucky and Virginia reso-
uions of 1928 and 1890, which is the substance of The
resolution adopted BY convention, and appended TO
the platform, is important s'ep-a measure entirely
consistent with all It's antecedents and peculiarly sppro.
pirate at the present tine The doctrines forth in those
resolutions sound iadicous, and acceptable the
whole united party. The resolutions in regard to the
Mexican war, and duties in relation 10 the political
nstutions Of the Old World, are eoneiliaoy, states.
manlke and patriotic; and the whole platform which they
complete covers the whole ground and. as has been
remarked before, is broad enough, and strong enough
and sufficiently capscous, 10 accommodate the entire
democracy OF the Union.
The Gaines Case.
BIZ The following statement, which appears in Louis