The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-01-19

burgh Platform. but declared, uneqnl'ocahy' '"
he had been for many years convinced tha' our
policy of raising revenues by the enactment e1 saf'H
laws, had been all wrong-that rsTennes I9r the
ceperal Government should be raised in the sans
-,,,,ar as STATE revenues were raieed-by adirect
taxaton of the property of the country. He
wished the Free Democracy, to take this position
it was their true policy.
He thoug:.t it unfortunate, in many respects,
that had belonged to other political orga
nizaiions. Our minds are biased by old prejudices
and we should avoid them. He himself had for
twenty FIVE years heen faithfuI soldier in the
ranks of the Old Democratic party. He knew all
about it, and was well acquainted with its tactics,
and free to confess that its object was not to
secure the liberty of the people or TO promote the
public good, but only to obtain the most Offices and
the Janest onrs.
The discussion was confined with spirit ard ami
nation by Alessrs. Vance, Winans, Root, Smith,
and Spalding.
A de!eeate moved to recommit the whole sub
ject to the committee on resolutions Lost. The
entire series was then adopted as follows:
Resolutions adottrd by The Free Dsmocroey Of
Ohio. in Convention, at Columbus, January 12
1858.
/. That slavery, wherever it exists is sin
against God, AMI n crime against man, and will
sooner or ater destroy any people or Government
which upholds or perpetuates it.
2. That as Congress has no power to create or
sanction slavery, and the Constitution of the
United States expressly denies to the General
Government all power to deprive any "person of
life, liberty. or property without due process OF
aw;' therefore, wherever slavery or the slave
trade exists by enactments of Congress-, or of Leg
islatures deriving their powers from the General
Government, it is clearly in violation of said con-
atituton, and ought Immediately to
8. That the Federal troyernment is one of lim-
tied powers, derived solely from the Constitution
and the grants of power therein ought be strict
ly construed by all the departments and agents of
the Governments; that thore is 10 power granted
therein to pass luws for the return of fugitive
slaves, and that the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 is
repugnant TO the Constitution, 10 the principles of
the common law. to the spirit of Christianity, and
TO the sentiments of the civilized world, and has
not been, and cannot be generally enforced; and
like all other unconstitutional and unchrstian laws
is not binding upon the people, and ought to be
pealed.
/ 4. That the doctrine that any human law is
inaty and subject to modification or repeal, is
not in accordance with the creed of the founders of
our Government, and is dangerous to the liberties
of the people; and that one Congress cannot make
compromises binding upon future Congresses.
5. That it is the duty of the General Govern
ment, while moving strictly within its constitution
al powers and exercising no doubtful ones to exert
its influence The side of freedom in this and all
other lands.
| 6. 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 se-
cure the rights and promote the happiness of the
people; and foreign Interference with that right is
dangerous violation of the law of nations, aganst
which all independent governments should protest,
and endeayor by all proper means to prevent; aud
especially is it the duty of the American Govern
mont, representing the chief Republic of the world,
to protest against, and by all proper means to pre-
vent the Intervention of Kings and Emperors
against nations seeking to establish for themselves
republican or constitutional governments.
/ z. That while the Federal Government should
faithfully adhere to the laws of nations and fulfill
its treaty obligations, aud should not interfere in
the internal aflrs of other natione, yet it is the
right and privilege of every citizen of the United
/ States TO leave his country and go where he
pieGses, and upon his responsibility, aid any
people whatever, in throwing off the shackels OF
tyranny, and establishing free institutions for them
seiv's, and that the Federal Government has no
right TO prevent him from thus acting.
g. That one of the most happy features OF
epf 10 ito &c !,
that it is both the dictate of duty and of true poll
cy to open our arms TO receive under our nation
al flag any people this continent or its adiaeen.
islands, who fnrm Republican Government based
upon the principles of the Declaration of Indepen-
dence; but that we will fight now and ever more
against the admission of any more slave States or
slave territory.
i 9. That we recommend the introduction into
all treaties hereafter to be negotiated between the
United States and foreign nations, of come pro.
vision for the amicable settlement of difficulties BY
resort TO decisive arbitration.
TO- Thst freedom ofspeech, and of the press
are inestmable rights, guaranteed by the constitu.
ton, necessary safeguards of liberty, and we vii;
ever war against their being oyelthrown or cur
tailed by the enactmcns Of any legislative body OIL
political Convention.
IL. That all men have natural Fight TO a
portion ofihe soil, and that as the use of the coil Is
indispensable TO Life, the right of all men to the sol
is as sacred as their right to life ITSELF
12. That tie Public Lands of the United
States belong to tie people, and should not be solo
10 individuals nor granted to corporations, bu
should be held sacred trust for the benefit O
the people, ard should be granted in limited guam
f ties, free of cost, to landless settlers.
13. That a sound administrative policy, de-
rnands that the funds of the General and State
Governments he kept separate from banking insti
tutions that inland and ocean postage should b,
reduced to the lowest possible point, and that thu
franking privilege be abolished; that TO more reve