Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-10-12
Massachusetts, Resolutions.

The following are The resolutions passed AT
the recent State Convention of the Democrats
of Massachusetts, which place the Democracy
Of that State on the sure road 10 'glory and
redemption -
Resolved That We once more declare our
adherence to the doctrines OF the Baltimore
| platform Of 1852, which lie at the foundation
Of every true democratic struggle IN state or
nation, and in support of which the last great
national victory was won.
Resolued, That we recognize an obedience
to the principles of that platform IN all the
measures of Gen. Pierce's administrallon ::
! That in our intercourse with foreign nations,
both by treaty and correspondence, the dignity
/ of our people regarded and our character as
\ nation, whose councils are conducted by sound
I ability and unwavering courage, has been eie-
vateG to The first rank on earth That watch
+ ful care fOr our internal interests has restored
our government 10 an economical management;
has secured the public domain for the beneht
of the people against inordInate specnlailon'
/ anG the prasping schemes OF mistaken phllan-
! thropy; has provided home for the wanderer,
based on his claims as a citizen has given
new energy to the prosecution OF public works
has defined the constitutional power Of internal
] improvements dCCOTulHp
precedent has confirmed the fraternal feeling
among the states by impartial legislation; ard
has recognized the right of each state, and the
sovereign right Of the people, TO manage their
own affairs: That by all energetic defence of
our citizens, in every part of the world, this
administration has enhanced the value of the
American flag, aud increased attractions Of our
republic as palladium of liberty to all people
and states which would join us and acknowl
edge allegiance to us.
ReS0lUed, That the constitution recognizes
the principle Of sef-government and the power
of the people in whatever bond united with
each other, whether in state, county, town,
district or territory. 10 control their own insi-
tutions that on this principle alone the colo
MES entered upon the struggle for independ-
ence, the confederation was established, and
the federal constitution adopted that only by
a rigid regard for this principle can we hope
TO preserve our liberties against usnrpatlon,
rivalries, and anarchy; and that confidence in
this principle, old as our country, enforced by
Jefferson sustained by Jackson, leads us To
look with pride and satisfaction on every
measure of the administration calculated 10
give it a bold and unfinching support, removing
every vestge Of federal folly from our legisla-
ton, and extending the same ghts and prlv-
leges to new states and territories which were
claimed by and secured 10 the people Of Massa-
chusetts and all her sister states when they
were united in this confederation.
ResoIued, That freedom in religion has
marked the course of this republic from It's
earliest (oundaton,-and that its importance
and necessity have become more and more
understood as the true doctrine Of free govern
ment has been developed, and its blessings
have been enjoyed by this whole community.
ReS0lUed, That while we stand by the adj
ministration Of Gen. Pierce, and remember the
triumphs which have crowned our party In
previous contests against sectional parties and
factions, we feel that in Massachusetts pecu-
liar obligation rests upon us as democrats, to
declare our faith in democratic principles
our entire rejection of every political doctrine
which is based on local passion and prejudice,
and our uncompromlSlng hostility to those
who enforce their views by violating freedom
of speech, and value their party above all the
interests Of the Union. And that we look
upon that democracy which rests upon the
constitution, which inspired the founders of
our republic, which has. entered into every
element Of its vitality, which immortalizes all
our patriots, and our NEST successful states
men, which embraces this whole confederation
member, as the only foundation Of genuine
constitutional state reform; that reform which
would engraft the true doctrine Of popular
representation upon our constitution, which
would provide against all Legislative violation
Of the rights of property, which would expand
beyond the power Of legislative interference
the blessings of free education, which would
secure the banking capital of the state as far
as possible against the errors of the Ignorant
and the frauds of the vicious, which would fix
as an unalterable feature in our state general
corporate power, and would refer the consti-
tuition, for its amendments, directly to its au-
thors, the people for on no other foundation
than such democracy do we conceive that any
real and satisfactory reform can be built.
ReSo iced, That we owe to the great industri-
al interests of the country, the impulse which
has been given to agriculture and the mechan-
ic arts, and deem it the bounden duty Of re-
publican government to encourage the skill
and enterprise of those whose days are spent
in toll. We therefore highly approve of the
late act of congress changing the superlntend-
ence of our national armories from the militia
tary to the civil, and regard it in harmony
with the true national democratic policy.