The Woodville Republican, and Wilkinson advertiser. (Woodville, Miss.) 1853-18??, 1853-05-10
The Democratic Platform,
AS ADOPTED BY THE BALTIMORE CONVENTION
JUNE THE 9th, 1861.

place their trust in the intelligence, the patri-
otism, aud the discriminating justice Of the
American people.
Resoired, That we regard this as a distinc-
tive feature of our political creed, which we
are proud TO maintain before the word as the
great moral element in form Of government
springing from, and upheld by the popular
will and we contrast il with the creed and
practice of federalism, under whatever name
or form, which seeks to palsy the win Of the
constituent and which conceives no imposture
too monstrous for the popular credulity.
Resolced, therefore, That, entertaining these
views, the democratic party of this Union,
through their delegates assembled in gen
era convention, coming together in spirit Of
concord, of devotion to the doctrines and faith
of a free representative government and APP
pealing TO their feow-citizens for the recutude
of their intentions, renew and reassert before
the American people the declarations of prn-
ciples avowed by them when, on former occa-
sions, in general convention, they have present.
ed their candidates for the popular sutfrageS:
l. That the federal government is one Of
limited powers, derived solely from the con-
stitution, and the grants of powers, made
therein ought to be strictly construed by all
the departments and agents of the government
and that it is inexpedient and dangerous to
exercise doubtful constitutional powers.
g That the constitution does not confer up
on the general government the power to com
mence and carry on general system of inter
nal Improvements.
3. That the constitution does not confer
authority upon the federal government, direct
ly or indirectly, to assume the debts of the
several States, contracted for local and internal
improvements or other State purposes nor
would such assumption be just or expedient
4. That justice and sound policy forbid the
federal government TO foster one branch of in
dustry to the detriment of any other, or to
cherish the interests Of one portion of our COM
mon country; that every citizen, and every
section of country has right TO demand and
insist upon an equality Of rights and privi-
leges, and to complete an ample protection Of
persons and property from domestic violence
or foreign aggression.
g. That it is the duty of every branch Of the
government to enforce and practice the most
rigid economy in conducting our public affairs
and that no more revenue ought to be raised
than is required to defray the necessary ex-
penses of the government, and for the gradual
but certain extinction of the public debt.
6. That Congress has no power to charter
national bank that we believe such an in
stitution one of deadly hostility TO the best
interests of the country, dangerous to our Re
publican institutions and the liberties Of the
people, and calculated to place the business Of
the country within the control Of concentra-
ted money power, and above the laws and the
will Of the people; and that the result of dem
ocratic Legislation, in this and all other fnan-
cia measures upon which issues have been
made between the two political parties, their
soundness, safety, and utility in all business
pursuits.
l. That the separation Of the government
from banking institutions is indisputable for
the safety of the funds Of the government and
the rights Of the people.
s. That the liberal principles embodied by
Jefferson in the Declaration Of Independence
and sanctioned in the constitution, which
makes ours the land Of liberty and the asylum
Of the oppressed of every nation, have ever
been cardinal principles in the democratic faith;
and every attempt to abridge the privilege Of
becoming citizens and the owners OF soil among
us, ought TO be resisted with the same spirit
which swept the alien and sedition laws from
our statutebooks.
o. That Congress has no power under the
constitution to interfere with or control the
domestic institutions of the several States, and
that such States are the sole and proper judges
of everything appertaining to their own affairs,
not prohibited by the constitution that all
efforts Of the abolitionists or Others made TO
induce Congress TO interfere with questions Of
slavery, or TO take incipient steps in relation
thereto, are calculated to lead to the most
alarming and dangerous consequences; and
that all such efforts have an inevitable ten
dency TO diminish the happiness of the people
and endanger the stability and permanency Of
the Union, and ought not TO be countenanced
by any friend of our political institutions.
Resoleed, That the foregoing proposition
covers and was intended to embrace the whole
subject Of slavery agitation in Congress; and
therefore the democratic party Of the Union,
standing on this national platform, will abide
by and adhere 10 faithful execution Of the
acts known as the compromise measure, set
tied by the last Congress, the -act for reclaim
ine fGgitives from service or labor" included
which act being designed to carry out an ex-
press proyision Of the constitution, cannot with
fidelity thereto be repealed or 50 changed a.
70 destroy or impair its efficiency. -
Hesoi1ed, That the democratic party will
resist all attempts at renewing in Congress or
out Of it the agitation Of ths glaysry question
under whatever shape or sal@ the attempt
may be made.
Resolusd, That the proceedings Of the pub
lie lands ought 70 be sacredly applied 70 the
national objects specified in the constitution
81 that We arc of,fosed 10 any law for the