Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-30


will they follow Hale and his followers in vot-
ing for the Wing candidate? or what will they
do? These questions are important and lead
to important considerations; but We cannot fol-
low the subject further at this time.
-
MASSACHUSETTS, DEMOCRATIC CON-
vENTION.
Our columns were SO crowded yesterday with
the proceedings of several Of the New York
conventions, that we could not make room for
the proceedings of the Massachusetts, Demo
cratic State convention. These we present
this morning. The convention was held on
Tuesday last, and its action and composition
contrast most strikingly and honorably with
the other heretical, piebald, Wing, Fresoi and
Fusion conventions that have recently taken
place in Massachusetts and other northern
States. The resolutions of the convention are
as follows
| RESOLVED, That we once more declare our ad-
herene the doctrines of the Baltimore platform
of 1852 which lie at the foundation of every true
democratic struggle In State nation, and in sup
port of which the last great national victory was
| won. ta5et
| [" Resoired, That we recognise an obedience TO
the principles OF that platform in all the measures
| OF General Pierce's administration that in our
intercourse with foreign nations. both by treaty
and correspondence, the dignity of our country
has been preserved, the interests Of our people
regarded, and our character nation, whose
councils are conducted by sound ability and un-
wavering courage, has been elevated to the first
rank on earth; that watchful care for our inter-
| nal interest has restored government TO an
/ economical management; has secured the public
| domain for the benefit of the people against inor.
dinate speculation and the grasping schemes OF
mistaken philanthropy; has provided home for
the wanderer, based his claims citizen
has given new energy TO the prosecution of public
works; has defined the constitut onal power Of in
| terna improvements according 10 sound demo-
cratic precedent; has confirmed the fraternal feel
ing among the States by impartial legislation; and
| has recognized the right of each State, and the
sovereign right of the people, TO manage their
| own affairs; that by an energetic defense of our
citizens in every part of the world this admins
| tration has enhanced the value of lie American
| flag, and increased the attractions Of our repub-
! lie as palladium OF liberty to all people and States
which would join us and acknowledge allegiance
| 10 us.
(" Resolred That the Constitution recognises the
principle of selfgovernment and the power ofthe
people, in whatever bond united with each other,
whether In State, county, town, district, or ter
ritory, 10 control their institutions; that on
| this principle alone the colonies entered upon the
struggle for independence, the confederation was
established, and the federal constitution adopted
that only by rigid regard for this principle can
/ we hope TO preserve our liberties against usurpa-
ton, rvalres, 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 every measure OF
the administration calculated TO give il bold and
uDfinching support, removing every vestige of
federal folly from our legislation, and extending
The same rights and privileges 10 new States and
Territories which were claimed by, and secured
10, the people OF Massachusetts and all her sister
States when they wereunited in this confederation.
| Resolred, That freedom in religion has marked
the course of this republic from its earliest founda.
ton, and that It's importance and necessity have
become more and more understood as the true
doctrine of free government has been developed,
and its blessings have been enjoyed by this whole
community.
Resolved, That while we stand by the adnin.
is,raiion of General Pierce, and remember the
triumphs which have crowned our party in pre-
vious contests against sectional parties and fac
TONS we feel thai in Massachusetts peculiar OBJ
legation rests upon Democrats 10 declare our
faith in democratic principles our entire rejection
of every political doctrine which is based on local
passion and prejudice, and our Incorporating
hostility TO those who enforce their views by vio-
lating freedom Of speech. and value their party
above all the interests Of this Union and we look
upon that democracy which rests upon the Con.
sttution, which inspired the founders of our re-
public, which has entered into every element OF
and our most successful statesmen, which en-
braces this whole confederation, while il recog-
nises the rights CT its humblesi member, as the
only foundation of genuine constitutional State
reform-that reform which would ngrah the true
doctrine Of popular representation upon our Con.
sttution, which would provide against all legis.
lative violation Of The rights Of property, which
would expand beyond the power Of legislative in.
reference the blessings Of free education, which
would secure the banking capital OF the State as
far possible against the errors Of the ignorant
and the frauds Of the vicious, which would fix as
an unalierable feature in State a general cor
| poraie power, and would refer the Constitution,
for adme ndments directly 10 its authors the peo-
pie for on no other foundation than such democ-
racy do conceive that any real and saiisfac-
tory reform can be built.
ReSoired That we owe TO the great industrial
interests Of the country, the impulse which has
been given TO agriculture and the mechanic arts,
and deem il the bounden duty Of a republican go
vernment TO encourage the skill and enterprise
OF those whose days are spent in toll. We there
fore highly approve Of the late act OF Congress
changing the superintendent OF our national
armories from the military the civil and regard
II in harmony with the true national democratic
policy"
Henry w. Bishop was nominated for gov.
ernor, and Caleb Stetson for Lieutenant gov
ernor
The National Iatelligencer of yesterday morn
ing says, with something of a.'triumphant air,
that Nebraska is not named in the resolutions
Of the convention. No one, however, we APP
prehend, can doubt that the third resolution is
entirely explicit and satisfactory in its enuncia.
ton Of the principles of the Nebraska BILL
That resolution covers the bill rs with mantle,
and leaves no room for captious objection or
censorious comment. The Boston Post says /:
"The principles of the Nebraska bill--the
measures of the admuistration--were approved
in bold, explicit, and truly Democratic and con-
stitutional resolutions. There was no lodging
Of issues either on the part Of the convention
or its candidates; but the resolves were up to
the mark Of the occasion, and were passed not
merely with assent, but with an enthusiasm
rarely seen in any gathering. They were op.
posed by j. NJ. Usher; but he was eloquently