Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-10-09
PLATFORM or the oai,forn,a Democracy.
adopted at The Democratic Convention al Sacra-
meai0, June %, 1855.

Resolved, That the American Democracy place
their trust in the intelligence the patriotism, and
tie discriminating justice of the American peo-
Pile
Resotred, That we regard this as a distinctive
feature OF our political creed, which we proud
TO maintain before the world as the great moral
element IN the form of government springing from
and upheld by the popular will; and contrast
u with the creed and practice of Federalism, un-
der whatever name or form, which seeks to palsy
the Will OF the constituent, and which conceives
no llnposture too monstrous for the popular Gre
dulity
Resoiued, therefore, That, entertaining these
views, the Democratic party of this State,
through their delegates assembled in general
convention, coming together in u spirit of con-
cord, OF devotion TO the doctrines and faith Of
iree representative government, and appealing to
their fellow citizens for the rectiude of their in
tentons, renew and reassert before the people of
tins State the declaration of principles ayowed by
them when ON former occasions, in general con-
vention, they have presented their candidates for
popular suffrage:
l. That the Federal Government is one of
limited powers, derived solely from the Constitu-
ton, and the grants of power made therein ought
to be strictly construed by all the departments of
the Government, and that it is inexpedient and
dangerous to exercise doubtful constitutional
powers.
2. That the Constitution does not confer upon
and carry on general system of internal i'm
provements within the States
8. Ihot the Constitution does not confer au-
thority upon the Federal Government, directly
or indirectly, to assume the debts of the several
States, contracted for local internal improve
ments, or other State purposes; nor would such
assumption be just or expedient
a. That justice and sound policy prevent the
Federal Government to foster one branch of in
dustry to the detrment of any other, or to cherish
the interests of one portion to the injury of
other portion of our common country; that every
citizen and every section of the country, has
right to demand and insist upon equality of rights
and privileges, and complete and ample protec-
ton of persons and property from domestic vio-
lence or foreign aggression
s. That it is the duty of every branch of the
federal and State governments to enforce and
practice the most rigid economy in conducting
our public affairs, and that more revenue
ought to DO raised than is necessary to defray the
necessary expenses of the government, and for
| the gradual but certain extinction of the public
debt.
g. That the separation of the public moneys
from banking institutions is indispensable for the
safety of the funds of the government and the
rights of the people.
7. That the liberal principles embodied by JEFF
ferson in the Declaration of Independence, and
sanctioned by the Constitution, which makes ours
the land of liberty and the asylum of the Cypress
ed of every nation, have ever been cardinal prin-
ciples in the Democratic faith and every attempt
to abridge the privilege of becoming citizens and
the owners of soil among US, ought to be resisted
with the same spirit which swept the Alien and
| Sedtion Laws from our statute books.
| 8. That Congress has no power under the Con-
| stituton to interfere with control the domestic
institutions of the several States, and that such
States are the sole and proper judges of every
| thing appertaining to their own affairs, not pro-
hibted by the Constitution; that all efforts Of the
AI-1.t L.
TO Interfere with the question of slavery, or to
take incipent steps in relation thereto are calcu-
lated TO lead TO the most alarming and dangerous
consequences; and that all such efforts have an
inevitable tendency to diminish the happiness of
the people and endanger the stability and perma-
nency of tho Union, and ought not to be counte-
nanced by any friend of our political Institutions
Resolved, That the foregoing proposition covers
| and was intended to embrace the whole subject of
I.savery agitation in Congress- and therefore the
Democratic party of this State, standing on the
national platform, will abide by and adhere to
the faithful execution of the acts known as the
compromise measures, settled by the Congress of
1850, the 'act for reclaiming fugitves from SER
vice or labor" included-whch act being designed
TO carry out an express provision of the Constitu-
ton, cannot with fidelity thereto be repealed or
so changed as 10 destroy or impair its efficacy.
Resolved, That the Democratic party will resist
all attempts at renewing in Congress, or out ofit
the agitation of the slavery question, under what
eyer shape color the attempt may be made.
Resolved, That the Democrats of this State feel
that the best and highest interests of California
are involved in the speedy construction of the
great Pacific Railroads and that we, as n party,
will, by legislation or otherwise, give earnest
and hearty support TO the accomplishment of this
truly glorious enterprise.
Resoired, That we are in favor of Just legisla-
tive action, securing, as far possible the rights
Of actual settlers and miners, who in good faith
are occupying lands in this State.
ResoiUed, That all secret political organiza-
tons, bound together by pledges and oaths, hav
ing for their object the prescription of any Amer
can citizen, contrary TO the spirit Of our free
institutions, reasonable in appearance, if not in
design, and should receive, they deserve, the
just animadversion Of all good citizens.
Resolved, That the Democracy of California
abhor and repudiate, as un-Amercan and anti
Republican, the prescription of man for the &C
cident Of his birth, or for his religious opinions;
and in this crisis of American liberties, institu-
tons, and ideas, they reafirm and proclaim in
full force the universal Democratic doctrine of
equal rights TO all under the Constitution and
Laws"-aHd declare in the immortal words Of
the greatest OF American patriots, that ''any man
conducting himself good citizen is account
able TO God alone for his religious opinions and
ought TO be protected in worshpping the Deity
according to the dictates Of his own conscience"
ReSolred, That we do now cordially invite all
our former political brethren who have strayed
from us for time, attracted by curiosity other
wise, who have Joined themselves to secret politi-
cal orders, to return TO and with us defend the
principles of their former faith, and abandon in
stituons which the daily current Of events is de-
veloping TO be founded on intolerance, and con-
trolled by men dangerous to the permanency and
welfare Of our Government.
Resolved That we will neither nominate nor
support any man for office who will not pledge
himself and subscribe to the foregoing platform
and resolutions
Turkish Order Of Knighthood.
DR.. G. T. Jackson has received by the last
steamer from Europe the patent and decora-
ton of the order of Knighthood conferred upon
him by the Sultan of Turkey, Abdul Medjd, for
services rendered by this discovery Of An@sthesia
10 the armies of the Allies. The patent is headed
with the Sultan's signature or tongra in gold,