The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-05-10

Know Nothings back to their former faith, b
publishing the article of the Pittsburgh Plai
form on foreign immigration? 1t viii sho,
them clearly where they once stood.
Yours, truly, b. F. NUDGE.
We gladly comply with the request of GU
correspondent-but the resolves generally ar
so thoroughly Democratic, in the true sense @
the word, that We reprint the whole of them
Ed. Era.
INDEPENDENT DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM
adopted at Pittsburgh, august l2h, 1852.
Having assembled in National Convention a.
the delegates of the Free Democracy of tn
United States, united by common resolve u
maintain right against wrongs, and Freedom
against Slavery; confding in the intelligence
patriotism, and the discriminating justice Of tn,
American people; putting our trust in God fo
the triumph Of our cause, and invoking hi,
guidance in our endeavors to advance it, WI
now submit to the candid judgment Of all mer
the following declaration of principles anC
measures:
l. That Governments, deriving their JUS
powers from the consent of the governed, are
instituted among men TO secure TO all, those
inalienable rights. of life, liberty, and the pur
suit OF happiness, with which they were endowed
by their Creator, and of which none can be
deprived by valid legislation, except for crime.
2. That the true mission Of American De
nocracy to maintain the liberties of the people
the sovereignty of the States, and the perpetuity
of the Union, by the impartial application to
public affairs. without sectional determinations,
Of the fundamental principles of equal rights,
strict justice, and economical administration.
3. That the Federal Government is one OF
limited powers, derived solely from the Con-
stitution; and the grants Of power therein
ought TO be strictly construed by all the depart
lnents and agents of the Government, and it is
inexpedient and dangerous TO exercise doubtful
constitutional powers.
4. That the Constitution of the United States,
ordained to form a more perfect union, TO
establish justice, and secure the blessings OF
liberty, expressly denies to the General Govern
ment all power TO deprive any person of life,
liberty, or property, without due process of law
and therefore the Government, having no more
power to make slave than to make "a king,
and no more power to establish Slavery than
10 establish Monarchy, should at once proceed
IL relieve itself from all responsibility for the
existence of Slavery wherever it possesses con-
sttutional power to legislate for lis extinction.
8. That TO the persevering and unfortunate
demands Of the slave power for more slave
States, new slave Territories, and the national
ization of Slavery, our distinct and final answer
is--no more slave States, no slave Territory,
no nationalzed Slavery, and no national legis-
lation for the extradition of slaves.
6. That Slavery is sin against God and
crime against man, which no human enact
ment nor usage can make right; and that
Christianity, humanity, and patriotism, alike
demand its abolition.
Z. That the Fugitive Slave Act Of 1850 is
repugnant to the Constitution, to the principles
OF the common law, to the spirit ofChristianity,
and 10 the sentiments of the civilized world.
We therefore deny its binding force upon the
American People, and demand its immediate
and total repeal.
s. That the doctrine that any human law is
a fnalIty, and not subject to modification or
repeal, Is not in accordance with the creed of
the founders Of our Government, and is danger
Gus TO the liberties of the people.
9. That the acts of Congress known as the
Compromise Measures of 1850, by making the
admission of sovereign State contingent upon
the adoption of other measures demanded by
the special interest of Slavery; 10y their omission
10 guaranty freedom in free Territories; by
their attempt to impose unconstitutional limita-
tions on the power OF Congress and the People
10 admit new States by their provisions for
the assumption of five millions of the State debt
of Texas, and for the payment of five millions
more and the cession of a large territory to the
Stale under menace, as an inducement
10 the REIMBURSEMENT of n groundless claim
and by their invasion Of the sovereignty of the
States and the liberties of the People through
the enactment Of an unj ust, oppressive, and
unconstitutional Fugitive Slave Law, are proved
to be inconsistent with all the principles and
maxims of Democracy, and wholly inadequate
ell 81 -.
are claimed TO be an adjustment.
10. That no permanent settlement of the
Slavery Question can be looked for, except in
the practical recognition of the truth, that
Slavery is sectional, and Freedom national; by
the total separation of the General Government
from Slavery, and the exercise of its legitimate
and constitutional influence on the side of Free
dom Z; and by leaving to the States the whole
subject of Slavery and the extradition of fugi-
fives from service.
III. That all men have a natural right to
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
II. That the public lands of the United States
belong 10 the People, and should not be sold TO
individuals nor granted TO corporations, but
should be held as sacred trust for the benefit
quantities, free Of cost to landless settlers
.l3. That n due regard for the Federal Con-
stitution, and sound administrative policy,
demand that the funds of the General Govern
ment be kept separate from banking institu-
lions; that inland and ocean postage should be
reduced 10 the lowest possible point that no
more revenue should be raised than is required
TO defray the strictly necessary expenses of the
public service, and to pay off the public debt :;
and that the power and patronage of the Gov
ernment should be diminished by the abolition
of all unnecessary offices, salaries, and priv
leges, 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.
IA. That river and harbor improvements,
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.
Is. That ennigrants and exiles from the Old
World should find cordial welcome 10 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 deter
mination.
Is. That every nation has clear right to
alter or change its own Government, and to adj
minister 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 independent
Governments should protest, and endeavor by
all proper means to prevent; and especially is
ii the duty of the American Government, rep
resenting the chief Republic of the world, to
,.rotest AGAINST and by all nrnner means 20