Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-09-22
Principles of the Republican Party.

AIluClpleS Oh the nepuDuCdn FdILy.
The following is the platform of principles
laid down by the Republican Mass Convention,
held at Towanda, Monday evening, September
10, 1855 =
WHEREAS, The true object of party organi.
Zation is TO settle the principles and policy M
on which the government should be administer
! ed and parties are of no value in our politi-
cal system except as they represent the real
issues by which the people are divided and
when they cease SO to do, and tend to distract
the efforts of those who are united in sentiment,
the public welfare impcratiyey demands That
| they be reconstructed upon the real, vital is
sues which affect tho interests and enlist the
feelings of the people And whereas, the qucs-
tions of public policy which in times past have
divided the two great parties of the country
| have become OF minor Importance, and another
question has arisen, SO absorbing in its charac-
| ter and SO momentous i'm its consequences to
the present and future welfare of the nation,
| that our political differences upon other matters
seem trivial i'll comparison, and no longer justi-
| fly the separate political action of those who
are united upon this great question There
| FORE
| Rcsoired, That the question which now over
whelms all others by its magnitude, is ono of
| freedom or slavery, this government
shall hereafter fulfil the design of its founders
as set forth in the Constitution, "to establish
Justice, to ensure domestic tranquility, to pro-
"vlde for the common defence, promote the
general welfare and secure the blessings of
liberty to ourselves and our posterity," or
whether the chief end of its existence hcreaf-
ter shall be to extend and perpetuate in free
territory the area and the curse of human bon
dagc. -
Resolred That while we claim no power to
interfere with slavery in States where it now
exists, we believe that the National Govern
ment should be relieved from all connection
with, or accountability for it.
Res0tred, That the repeal of the Missouri
Compromise was violation of the National
faith, and a wanton outrage upon the rights of
the Free States and that it was the first step
of the conspiracy against freedom, which has
found its appropriate and intended sequelin the
laWlcss attempts of q Missouri mob, instigated
by conspicuous friend Of the National Admin
istration, and connived at and sanctioned by
the same, to force the curse of slavery upon
the free soil Of Kansas and we not only
oppose the extension of slavery over our
national territories, but also the admission of
that, as our national domain is free from slave
ry, in the absence of any positive law establish
ing it. we are justified in making freedom con-
dition Of their admission into the sisterhood of
States
Resclrcd, That we are in favor of the repeal
of the present Fugitive Slave law, because it
virtually suspends the sacred writ of habeas
corpus, and takes away the right of trial by jury
Rcsolred, That the recent attempt on the
part of the Federal Judiciary to authorize, by
judicial construction, the holding of Slaves i'll
this Commonwealth, and the Imprisonment,
without trial, of citizens of the free States, by
Federal Judiciary, is bold invasion of personal
liberty, violation of the guaranteed rights of
States, and an assumption of federal power
that should be resisted dctcrmncdly by every
friend of personal and civil freedom, and we
call upon our National Representatives soon
to assemble, to prefer articles of impeachment
against the fcderalj Judge who has thus offended.
| Resolred, That the gross neglect of the Ma
tlonal Administration to extend its protecting
care over the law-abi,ling citizens of Kansas,
and It's having removed Gov. REEDER at the
request of the slave power, evinces not only a
disregard of the personal safety and lives of
the inhabitants thereof, but settled purpose
to connlve at the laWlesS invasion of her terri
tory by bands of Missouri ruffians and calls
loudly upon Northern Freemen to unite togeth-
er Tor the purpose of placing in the Presiden-
tal chair a man who recognizes the rights of
the North, and who will SO administer the go
vernment as to protect our citizens In the en-
joyment of their rights, and restore our govern
ment to the policy of its founders.
ReSoirod, That while we disclaim all conneX-
ion with other political organizations, yet VIC
cordially invite all who approve of the princl
pies set forth in these resolutions, without re-
gard to their former political associations, to
unite and cooperate with lis for the purpose of
restoring the administration of this government
to its original purity, and directing its energies
to the accomplishment Of its true object, as set
forth in the Constitution
Resolr0i, That we hail the nomination of
PASSMORE WILLIAMSON as Canal Com
missioner, by the Republican State Convention,
recently assembled, as Indicative of public sym
patlly for his unjust Imprisonment and of de-
tcstation towards the representative of the
slave power which placed him there and in
aSmrch as every vote cast for Passmore Will
hanson is 4 witherng rehuke to that official,
and manly assertion of state rights, he shall
receive our united and cordial support
CRoPs IN FRANcE-Thc crops are nearly
housed in the south of France, and as usual
I Ill Ill 4. =