Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-07-21
upon it, which no honest and lajr-minded

upon it, which no honest and lair-minded
citizen should countenance.
6. That when a portion of our fellow
citizens choose TO settle upon territory o
the United States beyond the jurisdiction
Of any State, they have the same right tina
we enjoy, to regulate their domestic affair:
and establish their own institutions, and
every refusal by Congress to concede this
right, is a violation Of the cardinal prln.
ciplss on WHICH al! republican govern
ments exist.
I. That if the people of the whole
Union. by their representatives in Con-
gress assembled, have no Legitimate power
to force slavery or anti-slavery on the peo-
pie Of a territory, il follows by much stron-
ger reason that no such power can be
rightfuIly exercised by any self-constitu-
ted body within the States, and composed
Of a part only Of the people.
8. That every new State ought to be
admitted into the Union with such con-
stitution as majority of the citizens there
Of shall adopt, provided there is nothing
therein conflicting with the Constitution
Of the United States, and whether such
State shall have adopted OF rejected slave.
~ is no, matter oe'fiinqqiry bs the gsner-
The adoption Of any measure which
would defeat this, isa direct encroachment
on the popular sovereignty Of such State.
8. That under these views, and which
we believe to be correct, the bill erecting
Nebraska and Kansas into Territories,
leaving the question Of slavery with the
people. was not only constitutional, bgt
expedien: and proper, and that We do
hereby endorse and approve the same.
10. That we are opposed to any change
in our State Constitution comforting upon
Negroes the right oil suffrage. We are
not willing that this class Of "Americans"
shall rule this part Of Notwithstanding
to other States the right TO CRAFTY their
own tastes in this particular, however
much we may differ from them in opin-
ion.
II. That the secret political OATH bourd
Order commonly called "Know-nothings, !"
prescribing men on the ground Of their re-
Iigious belief and the place Of their birth,
is fragrant violation Of the Constitution,
unkind. uncharitable and un.Christian,
and justly deserves the scorn and contempt
Of every honest man in the land.
IL. The Government Of this Union was
the result Of religion, persecution, and re-
liglous federation is its life-blood. That
the Constitutions Of all the confederated
States acknowledge this as a prevailing
principle-and that class of men in oul
country, who would call into life system
of religious bigotry and intolerance. are not
worthy to hold power, and the man who
acknowledges the efficacy Of an oatl, obi
ga,orv on him to tell a falsehood IN place Of
the truth, ,cannot be regarded as patriot
and This is the last Of the qualifications for
a statesman.
10. Tie doctrine that "AmerisaNs
should rule America" is true in every let
ter. and such has ever been the case; but
he who in secret swears to prescribe his
fellow and deprive him OF his civil and
religious rights, is no Americap--he is the
slave TO an imperial msster; his conscience
is his hypocrisy; he has no attribute Of a
freeman, and deserves not the name.
II. That the inordinate increase Of
Banking Capital at the late session, and
the weak and inconsistent course Of the
present Executive in relation thereto, are
calculated to awaken anxiety and alarm
for the future. and prove the folly OF con-
fiding the powers OF government to hands
in competent to their exercise, and con-
tIolsd by the specializing and greedy inter-
lists that prey upon the earnings Of the peo-
pie.
Is. That the failure of the House Of
Representatives at the late session to pass
the joint resolution proposing amendments
TO the Constitution against State and mu-
nicipal lndebte dness, was in contempt Of
the popular will, and the interest and Sc
curity OF the people. twill be the I'M
perative duty ofthe next Legislature, freed
from the elements Of confusion, rapacity
sanaticism which infested the last. to re-
commence the work Of reform, which,
when eonsqmmated, will protect labor,
property end morals, by preventing the
creation OF public debts, and will restore
and preserve the character, and credit, and
purity OF our State Government, aud Of our
city, county, aud other municipal organi.
cations, by limiting them 10 the perfor-
nance Of their just and rightfnl func-
tions.
Is. That the act Of last session for the
exterpation oflicensed hotels, while allow
ing other establishments for the sale Of
spirituous liquors, was an unwise exercise
OF the Legislative power. being without
the sanctioa Of public opinion, imperfect
in construction, and incapable OF accom-
plishing its Intended objects. Disputed in
the principle on which it proceeds. impo.
tent for good, and striking at property and
persons without the ilstii> alton of over.
ruling necessity. general public sentiment
or certain and thorough reform Of existing
evils, it should give place to eaactments,
prompted in a different spirit, sanctioned
by public opinion. and conform to the
principles Of republican government. and
that the said law should be repealed.
II. That the Democratic party has here.
tofors signally exhibited disability to held
in check the elements Of discordan the
Union; to conduct with success the admin
,stration Of the general government, in
peace and in war: and to secure ard pro-
mote the interest and welfsre Of the whole
people. while all other political organize
tons haye totally failed in their objects, or
been temporary in existence and limited in
usefulness; and that il deserves therefore,
the confidence. respect, and support OF the