The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-08-25

ted States belong to the people, and should
| not be sold to individuals, nor granted to
corporations, but should be held as 50.
cred trust for the benefit of the people, and
should be granted in limited quantities,
| free Of cost, to landless settlers.
13. That every nation has a clear right
to alter or change its own government,
and to administer its own concerns, in
such manner as may best secure the rights
and promote the happiness of the people,
and foreign Interference with that right is
dangerous violation of the law OF nations,
against which they should protest, and en-.
deavor by all proper means TO prevent;
and especially it is the duty of the Ameri.
can Government, representing the chief
Republic of the world, to protest against,
and by all proper means to prevent, the
Intervention OF Kings and Emperors
against nations seeking 10 establish for
themselves republican or constitutional
governments.
IA. That slavery is sin against God
and crime against man, which no human
enactment or usage can make right, and
that christianity, humanity and patriotism
alike demand its abolition.
Is. That the Fugitive Slave Act of
1850 is repugnant 10 the Constitution, to
the principles Of the common law, to the
Spirit of Christianity, and to the sentiments
ofthe civilized world. We, therefore. deny
its binding force upon the American people,
and demand its immediate and total re.
peal.
16. That the doctrine that any human
law is fnali,y and not subject to modii-
cation or repeal, is not in accordance with
the creed of the founders Of our govern
ment, and is dangerous to the liberties Of
our people.
II. That the independence Of Hayti
ought to be recognized by our government,
and our commercial relations with it pla-
ced on the footing Of the most favored ma
tons.
18. That it is the imperative duty Of
the General Government 10 protect all per-
sons, of whatever color, visiting any Of the
United States, from unjust and illegal i'm
prisonment, or any other Infringement Of
their rights.
10. That we recommend the introduc.
ton into all treaties hereafter to be negoti-
ated between the United States and foreign
nations, OF some provision for the amicable
settlement of difficulties by resort to de.
cissive arbitration.
20. That the Free Democratic Party
is not organized TO aid either the Wing or
Democratic wing of the great Slave Com
promise Party OF the nation, but to defeat
them both; and that repudlating and re-
nouncing both as hopelessly corrupt and
utterly unworthy Of confidence: the pur.
pose of the Free Democracy is to take
possession of the Federal Government and
administer it for the better protection of
the rights and interests Of the whole peo.
pie.
81. That we inscrbe on our banner
GREE Soil, FREE SPEECH, FREE LABOR,
and FREE MEN," and under it will fight on
fight ever, until triumphant victory shall
reward our exertions.
Mr.. Tappan introduced the following
resolution, 10 be added to the platform:
Resolved, That as by the Constitution
"the citizens of each State shall be entitled
to all privileges and immunities of citi.
zens in the several States" the practice
Of imprisoning colored seamen OF other
States, while the vessels to which they be-
long lie In port, and refusing the exercise
of the right to bring such cases before the
Supreme Court of the United States to test
the legality Of such proceedings. is fla.
grant violation Of the Constitution, and an
invasion OF the rights Of citizens of other
States, utterly inconsistent with the profess
sons made by the shareholders, that they
wish the provisions of the Constitution
faithfully observed by every State in the
Uuion.
Mr.. Booth of New York, offered the fol-
lowing which was also adopted
Resolved, That all men have National
right to a portion Of the soil; that as the
use of the soil is indispensable TO life, the
right of all men 10 the soil is as sacred as
their right to life itself.
Mr.. Hopkins, of Mass, offered the fol.
lowing resolution, which was adopted
without dissenting vote:
Resolved, That we view the recent ad.
vent of Kossuth upon our shores as an
event provdential in its occurrence, bril-
liant in its achievement, and eminently
happy and powerful in its influence upon
the cause of liberty here and everywhere;
that we admire those elements Of boldness,
patriotism, integrity and love of liberty.
from the combinat alton of Which emana ated
that eloquence which has so wonderfully
impressed itself upon the hearts offreemen;
that we sympathise in his misfortune, but
trust in his success; and that since his
prosecuted relatives are seeking an asy-
lum in the bosom of the generous West,
we will revere, cherish and protect them
until such time as, in Gods good provi-
dence, we NAV return them, under our