Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-02-16


oppressive, and unconstitutional Fugitive
Slave Law, are proved TO be inconsistent
with all the principles and maxims of De-
mocracy, and wholly inadequate to the
settlement Of the questions of which they
are claimed TO be an adjustment.
x. That no permanent settlement OF
the Slavery question can be looked Tor,
except in the practical recognition Of the
truth that Slavery is sectional, and Free
dom national; by the total separation OF
the General Government from Slavery, and
the exercise of its legitimate and constr
tutional influence on the side of Freedom;
and by leaving to the States the whole
subject Of Slavery and the extradition OF
fngitives from service.
XII. That all men have a 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 sa-
cred trust for the benefit of the people,
and should be granted in limited quanti-
ties, free Of cost, to andless settlers.
XIII. That due regard for the Federal
Constitution, and sound administrative
policy demand that the funds of the Cen
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 improve
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 a 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 infexible defer
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
ii 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 immunities of
citizens of the several States" the prac-
tice Of imprisoning colored seamcn Of
other States, while the vessels to which
they belong lie in port, and refusing TO
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 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
amicable settlement Of difficulties by re-
sort to decisive arbitration.
Xxx. That the Free Democratic party is
not organized to aid either the Wing or
Democratic wing Of the great Slave Com
promise party of the nation, but to defeat
them both and that repudiating 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 Tor the better protection
Of the rights and interests Of the whole
people.
XXI. That we nscribe on our banner,
FREE Soil, FREE SPEECH, FREE LABOR,
and FREE MEN, and under il will fight on
and fight ever, until a triumphant victory
shall reward our exertions.
XXIL That upon this Platform the Con-
vention presents to the American People,
al r.