Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-08-04
Platform Of the National Free
Democracy

[livin! assembled in NATIONAL CoNvESTlo,
as The Delegates Of the Free Democracy OF The
United States, united by cpnmon res i've It
Iinainlan Rtgh aEanS, Wrongs. aud Freedor
against Slavery: csnfd'ug IL tho intellIgen' Q
the patri1lism ard The dscrnin ting Justice %
the American PeoRle: putting our trust IN Gnd
for the triiluph'ut bat cahse, aud invoking Hi,
guidance IN II eotfe1vors to advance It, W nov
sub ,oit to the candid Judgment OF all men the
following declaratipnof Principles and meas
ures.
l. That Govsrngens dsrye their Just poyer
from the cinirnt oirthe govern ID, are institute
among men to secure 10 all those IN lien lbe
rights OF life, lbery and the pursuit. Of happi-
ness, with which they are enl )wrd by their
Creator, and Of whs,li none cal Ie deprived BY
valid legislation except tr crime.
2. That the true mi ssion Of A ncficln De
mucracy is to m,Id IN tho lln,r le3 Ut the PEG
pie, the Soyr"igny Of the States and tn. perpe
tuity Of the Union, by the lrparil, application
to pubic affairs, without sectianal discrl ninallons
OF the undanentil principles OF equ,l rights
strict justice, and 'ec'noucai administration.
8 That the F4te,al Gov rnment Is one OF
limited powers, derived solely from the Consti-
ution and the grants Of power therein ought tn
be strictly construed, by all departments and
agents of the Government, and it is inexpedient
and dangerous to exercise doubtful Constitution
al powers. yrt
4. That the Constitution of the United States
ordained to form more perfect union, to estab-
sh justice, and secure the blessings Of liberty,
expressly denies to the General Government all
power 10 deprive any person OF HE, liberty OF
property, without due process OF law and there
fore, the Government having no more power IL
make s ave than to make King, and no more
power to establish Slavery than to establish Mo
narchy. SHOULD at once proceed to relieve itsel
flon all responsibility for the existence of Slave.
ry wherever it possesses Constitution powers tC
legisate for its extinction
5. That to the perseverng and mportunale
demands of the Slave Power for more Slaue States
-ne,c Slnue Territory and The Naturalization o.
Slarery our dlstsnct and final answer s-ao mort
SMpe States, no Stare Territory. no Mathematical
lion Of Slavery and no National Legislation 70,
The erlradition Of Staves
g. That Slavery is sin against God, and d
crime against man which no human enactment
or usage can make right and that Christianity
Humanity and Patriotism alike de'nand its aboIi
ton.
7. That The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 is re
mgnant to the Constitution, to the principles o.
the common law, TO the spirit of Christianity nnC
to the sentiments OF the civilized world. We
therefore deny it, binding force upon the Amer
lean People, and demand its immediate and toa
repeal.
s That the doctrine that any human law is g
6naity and nossubjecl to modification or repeal
is not in accordance with The creed of the found
ers OF our Government and is dangerous to The
liberties OF the People.
g. That The acts Of Congress known as the
Compromise measures Of 1850, by making the
admission of sovereign State contingent upor
the adoption OF other measures demanded by the
special interests OF Slavery; by their omission tt
guarantee Freedom IN Free Territories; by then
attempt to impose unconstitutional limitations or
the power of Congress and the people 10 admit
new States by their provisions for the assump
ton of five millions OF tho State debt of Texas
and for the payment of five millions more, and
the cesson Of large territory to the same State
under menace, as an lndncement TO the relin
punishment Of groundless claim; and by tbeil
invasion of the sovereignty of the States BY the
enactment of an unjust, oppressive and uncon.
stituional Fugitive Slave Law-are proved to be
inconsistent with all the principles aud maxims
of Democracy, and wholly inadequate TO the set.
Element OF the questions Of which they are claim.
ed to be an adjustment. ,
TO- That nc permanent settlement OF the Sla
very question can be looked for, except in the
practical recognition OF tho truth, that Slavery Is
sectional and Freedom National, by the total
separation OF the General Government from
Slavery anil the exercise Of lis Legitimate and
constitutional influence on The side OF Freedom,
and by leaving to the States The whole subject
of Slavery and the extradiuon of fogtives from
service.
II. That all men have natural right to a
portion of the soil, aud that as the use Of the soil
is indispensable to life the right Of all men TO
the soil is as sacred as their right TO life itself
~. That the Public Lands of the United
States belong to the People, aud should not be
| sod IA individiigls nor Qfanted 10 corporatiops