Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-03-18


truth that Slavery is sectional, and Free
dom national; by the total separation OF
the General Government from Slavery, and
the exercise Of is legitimate and consti-
tutional influence on the side OF Freedom;
and by leaving to the States the whole
subject of Slavery and the extradltion OF
fugitives from service.
XII. That all men have natural right to
a portion of the soil; and that, as the use
Of the soil is indispensable TO life, the
right of all men to the soil is as sacred as
their right to life itself.
XII. That the public lands Of the Uni
ted States belong to the people, and should
not be sold to individuals nor granted to
corporations, but should be held as sd
cred trust for the benefit Of the people,
! and should be granted in limited quanti-
ties, free Of cost, to landless settlers.
| XIII. That due regard for the Federal
| Constitution, and sound administrative
policy, demand that the funds Of the Gen
eral Government be kept separate from
banking institutions; that inland and
ocean postage should be reduced to the
lowest possible point; that no more reve-
nue. should be raised than is required to
defray the strictly necessary expenses Of
the public service, and TO pay off the pub
lie debt; and that the power and patron
age of the Government should be dimin-
ished by the abolition Of all unnecessary
Offices, salaries, and privileges, and by the
election by the people of all civil officers
in the service of the United States, so far
as may be consistent with the prompt and
efficient transaction Of the public business.
XIV. That river and harbor improves
ments, when necessary to the safety and
| convenience of commerce with foreign
nations or among the several States, are
objects of national concern, and it is the
duty of Congress, in the exercise of its
constitutional powers, to provide for the
| same.
XIV. That emigrants and exiles, from
| the Old World should find cordial well
come to homes of comfort and fields Of
enterprise in the New; and every attempt
to abridge their privilege Of becoming
citizens and owners of the soil among us
| ought to be resisted with innexible deter
| mination.
XVI. That every nation has clear
| right TO alter or change its own Govern
ment, and to administer its own concerns
in such manner as may best secure the
rights and promote the happiness of the
people, and foreign Interference with
| that right is dangerous violation of the
law of nations, against which all independ-
ent Governments should protest, and en-
deavor by all proper means to prevent; |;
and especially is il the duty of the Ameri-
can Government, representing the chief
Republic of the world, to protest against,
and by all proper means TO prevent,
the Intervention of Kings and Emperors
against nations seeking to establish for
themselves republican or constitutional
Governments.
XVII. That the independence of Hayti
ought to be recognised by our Govern
ment, and our commercial relations with
it placed on the footing Of the most favor
ed nations.
XVIII. That as, by the Constitution,
" the citizens of each State shall be en-
titled TO all privileges and immuniies of
citizens of the several States" the prac-
ticc of imprisoning colored seamen of
other States, while the vessels 10 which
they belong lie in port, and refusing 10
exercise the right to bring such cases be-
fore the Supreme Court of the United
States, TO test the legality of such pro-
ceedings, is a fragrant violation of the
Constitution, and an invasion Of the rights
of the citizens of other States, utterly in
consistent with the professions made by
the shareholders, that they wish the pro-
visions of the Constitution faithfully OBJ
served by every State in the Union.
XIX. That we recommend the INTRO
duction into all treaties, hereafter to be
negotiated between the United States and
foreign nations, Of some provision for the
amicablc settlement of difficulties by re-
sort 10 decisive arbitration.
Xxx. That the Free Democratic party is
not organized 10 aid either the Wing or
Democratic wing of the great Slave Com
promise party Of the nation, but TO defeat
them both aud that repudating and re-
nouncing both, as hopelessly corrupt, and
utterly unworthy Of confidence, the pur-
pose of the Free Democracy is TO take
possession Of the Federal Government,
and administer il for the better protection
of the rights and interests of the whole
people.
XXI. That we inscribe on our banner,
FREE Sou, FREE SPEECH, FREE LABOR,
and Free MEN, and under il will fight on
and fight ever, until triumphant victory
shall reward our exertions.
XIII. That upon this Platform the Con-
venton presents to the American People,
as a candidate for the Office of President
Of the United States, JoHN p. HALE, Of
New Hampshire, and as a candidate for
the Office of Vice President of the United
States, GEORGE w. JULIAN, of Indiana,
and earnestly commends them TO the sup
port of all freemen and parties.
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