Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-01-07
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.


n NM* f3Ht& NftNN MW@a w tff' tst*sRsss&
che pass.aissm, and the discriminating JUS
s,ee u the Amrs,can people.
n Resolved, That We regard this n q
distinctive feature ~ our political creed,
whsrh ws afe proud "a MAINTAIN before
ths wesid A. the great moral element Ia
form "a government spTinging from and
upheld bs fhs popnlsr,will and we con-
sssa a with the erred and practice Of
/ Federalism, under whatever name or form,
which seeks 20 palsy the will of the con-
sisinrmt, and WHICH fonresses mo- impos-
tare tco manslseus fnr the public ere.
dulsis.
| M. Rsssired, fAnrfscs. Tint. entertain
lng shese views. the Democratic parry OF
this unsoa. shsongh their delegates assem-
bied IA d General Convention. coming
sogriher w q spirit of concord of devotion
a. the doctrines aud Garth &C free repre-
sentative Government, and appealing 10
their fellow -riiizens Cor the reciiiade OF
their intentions, renew and rcasseri before
the American people the declarations Of
principles asowed by them when, on
they have presented their candidates Tor
ihe popular suiirages:
4. That the Federal Government il one
az limited powers, derived solely from the
Constitution, and the grants III power
therein ought to he strictly construed b,
All the departments and agents Of the Gov
eminent: and that il is inexpcdient and
dangerous 20 exercise doubtful consiitu-
iional powers.
2. That the Constitution does not con-
fer upon the General Government the
power 20 commence and carry ON gem
eral system OF internal improvements.
8. That the Constitution does not com
fer authority upon the Federal Govern
ment, directly GO indirectly, 10 assume the
debts Of the several States, contracted for
local and internal Improvements or other
State purposes: nor would such assump-
ton he just or expcdient.
4. That Justice aud sound policy forbid
the Federal Government 10 foster one
branch Of industry To the deiriment OF any
other, or 10 cherish the interests Of one
portion 10 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 rights and privileges, and 10 com
pleie and ample protection Of persons and
property from domestic violence or foreign
aggression.
3. That il is the duty Of every branch Of
the Government 20 enforce aud practice
the most rigid economy in conducting our
public affairs, and thar no more revenue
ought 10 be raised than is required 20 de-
fray the necessary expenses of the Gov
eminent, and for the gradual but certain
extinction Of the public debt.
6. That Congress has no power 10
charter National Bank that we believe
such an institution one Of deadly hostility
TO the bests interests Of the country, dan
gerous TO our republican institutions and
the liberties Of the people. and calculated
10 place the business of the country within
the control Of concentrated money
power, and above the laws and the viii of
the people; and that the results Of Dem
ocratic legislation, in this aud all other
financial measures upon which issues have
been made between the two political par
ties of the country, have demonstrated, 90
candid and practical men, Of all parties,
their soundness, safety, aud utility, in all
business pursuits.
Z. That the separation Of the moneys
Of the Government from banking insiiiu-
tons is indispensable Cor the safety Of the
funds Of the 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 Constr
tuition, which makes ours the land of lib
erty and the asylum Of the oppressed Of
every nation, have ever been cardinal prin-
ciples in the Democratic faith aud every
attempt 20 abridge the privilege of be-
coming citizens aud the owners Of soil
among us, ought 10 be resisted with the
same spirit which swept the alien and Sc
dition laws from our statute books.
9. That Congress has no power under
the Constitution 10 interfere with or con-
troll the domestic institutions Of The sew
eral States, and that such States are the
sole and proper Judges of everything APP
pertaining to their own affairs. not prohib-
tied by the Constitution that all efforts
Of the Abolitionisis or Others, made 20 IN
duce Congress 10 interfere with questions
of slavery, or 10 take incipient steps ia re-
laiion thereto, are calculated 20 lead %
the most alarming and dangerous conse-
quences and that all such efforts have an
inevitable tendency 10 diminish the happi-
ness Of the people and endanger the sta
bility and permanency Of the Union, and
ought not 10 be countcnanced by any
friend Of our political institutions.
Nv. ResoiDed, That the foregoing prop
osition covers and was intended 10 EN-
brace the whole subject of slavery agitation
in Congress; and therefore the Demo-
cratic party ofthe Union, standing ON this
national platform, will abide by aud adhere
to faithful execution OF the acts known
as the Compromise measures settled by the