Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-02-15
DAILY NATIONAL ERA.
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
ADOPTED AT BALTIMORE, JUNE /, 1852

ice OF the American peop.e.
ii. Resolced That we regard his as a
distinctive feature OF onr political creed,
which we are proud 10 maintian before
the world as the great moral element in a
form OF government sprinying from and
upheld by the popular will and we con-
trast il with tie creed and practice OF
Federalism, under Whatever name or form,
which seeks TO pqlsy the viii Of the con-
siiiueBi, and w,ich conceiycs no impos-
ture too monstrous for the public cree
dnlity.
| iii. Resolysd, therefore, That, entertain
ing these views, the Democratic party Of
this Union, through thais Delegates assem-
bled in General Convention coming
together il, spirit OF concord, OF devotion
| to the doctrines and faith OF Zee repre-
sentative Government, and appea'ing 10
their felow-ci.izcns for the recli;hde O;
their intentions, renew and reassert before
the American people The declarations Of
principles avowed by them when, on
former occasions, ia General Convention,
they have presented their candidates for
| the popular suRrages:
/. That the Federal Government is one
Of limited powers, derived solely from The
1 Constitution, and the grants Of power
therein ought to be strictly construed by
all the departments and agents ofthe Gov
eminent; ana that tits inexpal;ant and
dangerous TO exercise doubtful cons;itu-
tional powers.
Q. That the Constitution does not con-
fer upon the General Government the
power to commence and carry on a gem
eral system ofmlernal improvements.
8. That the Constitution does not con-
fer authority upon the Federal Govern
ment, directly or indirectly. to assume the
debts Of the several States, contracted for
local and internal Improvements, or other
State purposes: nor would such assump-
ton lie just or expedient.
4. That Justice and sound policy forbid
| the Federal Government to foster one
branch ofindnstry to the detriment of any
other, or to cherish the interests OF one
portion to The injury Of another portion OF
our common country that every citizen,
and every section Of the country, has
right 10 demand and insist upon an equal
ity Of riyhts and privileges, and to COM
plete and ample protection Of persons and
property from domestic violence or foreign
aggression.
5. That it is the duty of every branch Of
the Government to enforce and practice
the most rigid economy in conducting our
public a6iairs, and that no more revenue
ought to be raised than is required to de-
| fray the necessary expenses of the Gov
eminent, and for the gradual bat certain
extinction OF the pubic debt.
6. That Congress has no power TO
charter National Bank: that we believe
such an institution one OF deadly hostility
10 the bests interests Of the country, dam
gerous to our republican institutions and
the Liberties Of the people, and calculated
to place the business Of the country within
the control of concentrated money
power, and above the laws and the will of
the people; and that the results of Dem
ocratic legislation, in this and all o;her
financial measures upon which issues have
been made between the two political par
ties Of the country, have demonstrated, TO
cand.d and practical men, Of all parties,
their soundness, safety, and utility, in all
business pursuits.
Z. That the separation Of the moneys
Of the Government from banking institu-
tons is indispensable Cor The safety Of the
funds cfthe Government and the rights Of
the people.
8. That the liberal principles embodied
by Jefferson in the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, and sanctioned in the Consti-
tuition, which makes ours the land Of lib
erty and the asylum of the oppressed Of
every nation, have ever been cardinal prin-
cip!es in the Democratic faith; and every
attempt TO abTidge the privilege Of be-
coming citizens aud The owners Of soil
among us, ought TO be resisted with the
same spirit which swept the alien and se-
dtion laws from our statute books.
9. That Congress has no power under
the Constitution to interfere with or con-
troll the domestic institutions OF the sew
eral States, and that such States ere the
sole and proper Judges Of everything APP
pertaining to their own affairs, not prohib-
tied by the Constitution; thet all efforts
OF the Abo'.,lonsts or others, made TO in
duce Congress to interfere with questions
of slavery, or to take incipient steps in re-
lation thereto, are calculated TO lead to
the most alarming and dangerous conse-
quences; and that AL such efforts have an
inevitable tendency 10 diminish the happi-
ness OF the people and endanger the sta
billy and permanency Of the Union, and
ought not to be countenanced by any
friend Of our political institutions.
w. ResoiUed, That the foregoing prop
osition covers and was intended TO en-
brace the whole subject Of slavery agitation
in Congress; and therefore the Demo-
cratic party Of the Union, standing on this
national platform, will abide by and adhere
to faithful execution Of tie acts known
as ihe Compromise measures settled by The
last Congress, /" the act for reclaiming iu-
gitives from service or lsbor," included !;
which act. heinz designed 10 carry ont an