Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-02-24
A NOBLE PLATFORM
Feb. =, 1855.


trast between these Resolutions and those adopted
and acted upon by the Wings and Know-Nothings of
the free States! All honor to the unhinching,
tional, patriotic Democrats of Connecticut; they
where their orefathers in the days of Jeffer-
son and Madison, when the former breasted the
storm of opposition to adopted citizens raised by
Adams and when the latter, at the head of the Re-
publican party, met foreign enemies and domestic
traitors in indicating the rights and honor of the
country. Read these Resolutions, friends, and lay
them aside; and when Know Nothing Wings, who
have for their allies aboltionsts of the free States,
repeat their old and stale declaration that the Dem
ocrats of the free States are hostile to Southern
rights sho,c them these Resolres Of the Connecticut
Democracy, and See if their lips not at
closed. Remind them too that it was Wig Leg
islature in Connecticut which nufed the fugitive
slave law; and that the Democrats of that State,
in general Convention, have denounced that act of
notification in the strongest terms. Here the
Resolutions:
Res0lc d, That the strict adherence of the Pres
dent of the United States, to those great principles
of constitutional government which have received
the entire sanction of the Democracy of the Union,
and the checks which he has interpOsed upon egis-
lation with those principles, by his vetoes of
the Insane Land Bill, and the River and Harbor
Bill assure that under his administration the
country will be secure from any inroadS upon that
Constitution, which is the written bond uniting
thirt lone sovereign Sta es, and the strict
struction of which depends the harmonious existence
of our confederated system.
Resolred That the power of Congress the
Territories of the United States should be only
ployed to such an extent the necessities of the
case may require, and for the equal benefit of all
the parties to the federal compact and that when
any Territory, having the reqsite number of inhab
itsnts, applies for admission into the Union
sovereign State, she must, to be received as CO.
L., g Al h. II
with such constitution her people may ordan,
provided said constitution does not conflict with the
organic law of the contederacy.
ResoIred That those just and equitable laws pro-
yding for the naturalization of those born in other
lands established in accordance with the principles
of the sgners of the Declaration of independence,
and continued to this day without any interruption
save that caused by the bigoted Federasts under
the administration of John Adams have contributed
to the growth of this Republic and to the faterpi
cation of its inhabitants; and that these laws
essentially part of that wise American policy which,
founded on a comprehensive and phlanthropic basis,
has signa,ized our beloved country the home of
the exile and the oppressed, and will make her
renowned for her power and greatness, she is
distinguished for her freedom and enterprise.
ResoIre3 That in order to recognize in the most
solemn form the principles of religious freedom the
constitution of the United States doth ordain that
CONGRESS shall make no law respecting estab-
lishment of religion, prohibiting the fee exercise
thereof" and that the various States have almost
without exception incorporated distinct
Acknowledgement of religious liberty into their several
Constitutions, and that thus religious freedom has
become by the action of the sovereign States, and
of that General Government whose powers de-
rived from those States, great AMERICAN PRINCIPLE.
Resolred That political parties organized with
the view of shutting out from all posts of political
trust the members of any religious denomination,
do virtually condemn that system of religious ber-
ty which is American in its character, beneicent in
its conception, and which has greatly promoted the
harmony and happiness of the people; and that all
n rpli
creed or prcndices of birth, alien to the great
ideas of American Liberty, and American progress,
and deserve the condemnation of American Freemen.
Resolred That while we would favor laws adapted
to promote good order, temperance, and the social
virtues, we hold in the reform and amendment of al
enacmeTts, matter what their protested objects,
which unnecessarily and unreasonably invade the
domestic HEARTH and carry the right OF search to the
fireside of families on the suspicion of
and irresponsible prosecutors; which tempt the vena
TO perjury with the promise of exemption from pun
iShment which subvert weli-establshed rules OF
evidence, and break down the barriers which the
common law by its mercifu presumptons throws
around the innocent, and which, instead Of relying
upon known public officers that the Constitution of
the State has secured to the town elections part
of the local police, encourage selfappointed Sc
cret reformers unknown to the Constitution the
dangerous intruments, all History tells US, of bad
and dangerous governments
ResoLued That the last Legislature of this State,
by its utter of dignity, and it's indecent dis
plays of partZan passion, by its needless and fanat
cal of legislation by its uncaed for assaults
upon the system of free banking and its lavish
ton of special charters, which experience has shown
not required by the wants of the State. by its
avowed attempt to nuIlify law of Congress, design
ed to carry out provision of the federal Consttu-
ton, and differing in essential feature from law
that had received the signature and approval of the
Father of his Country" thereby setting an example
of INSTRUMENTATION to laws passed by Congress in pur
of the Constitution, anu instigating spirit of
violent resistance to those laws deserves the repro
baton of every citizen who regards the honor and
prosperity of the State, the preservation of order
and the perpctuity of the Union.
ResOIred, That while abolitionism, exuting over
recent political triumphs aims to govern or divide
the Union-whe a secret political band concocts its
schemes of hatred in congenial darkness, and ac-
knowledges its own unworthiness by the care with
which it instructs its disciples conceal from pub
lie knowledge their true position---whie the whig
party deprived of its great leaders, and of its pristine
strength, satisfied with intriguing to CONTROL fail
ing in that object, with humbly following other fac
uons--whie those combinations of political aSsocia
tons, united by q common hatred of Democracy,
have introduced systems of legislation in the
States. at with the spirit of constitutional pro-
visions, with established principles of law and with
the rights of the citizen it must be apparent to eve
~ rejecting man, that the Democrrtic party alone
Is competent to dispcrse the msts of error, to
tabi'sh the true relation of State and citizen,
ana restore that harmony and good feeling which
the ianaticisms ofthe day threaten to destroy.
aesoeoees That the Democratic party have hereto