The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-09-20
PLATFORM OF THE REPUBLICANS OF PENN
SYLVANIA
ADOPTED AT PITTSBURGH, JULY 5, 1855.

Whereas the founders of this Republic, in the
formation OF this Government, proclaimed this
great truth-that all men are endowed by their
Creator with the inalienable rights of life, lib
erty, and the pursuit of happiness, and that
our Government was constituted to secure these
rights TO US; and whereas the National Execu-
tive, in his inaugural address, virtually denies
these doctrines, in the expression of his opinion
that domestic Slavery is based upon the same
principles as other recognised rights, and that
our Federal Government is bound to sustain the
institution of Slavery and whereas the Presi-
dent of the United States, and the political
party which sustains him, have endeavored 20
overthrow the principles Of civil liberty pro-
claimed by our revolutionary fathers. by extend
ing the bounds Of Slavery into Territories ex-
! pressy consccrated to Freedom by solemn
Compromise, and by obtaining territory of Mex
leo for the purpose of spreading the whitening
curse of human bondage, aud by endeavoring
to involve us in war with Spain for the acqu
siton Of Cuba. with the intention of perpetual
ting and Strengthening the institution Of Sla-
very, and by sustaining the slave trade on our
| Southern coast: Therefore
Resoired, That the great question OF Slavery
and Freedom, now agtating both the North
and the South, is one which overshadows all
| others, III national point of view and its i'm
portance demands that the people of the North
| should unite in harmonious election to defend
their honor and vindicate their rights The
continual aggressions Of Slavery upon Tie in
| terests OF Freedom, increasing in insolence and
| magnitude with each concession OF the North,
| must be met and resisted with a united voice.
| Holding that the Union was formed lin the Ian
guage OF the Constitution I" TO establish JUS
! iice. promote the general welfare and secure
the blessings Of liberty we adopt as the found
alton of our political faith, and for the guidance
OF our political action, the principle, that under
our Government Freedom is national, Slavery
is sectional.
Res0lced. That while we claim no power to
interfere with Slavery in the States where it
now exists, we believe that the National Gov
eminent should be relieved from all connection
with or accountability for it.
Resoircd, That the repeal of the Missouri
Compromise a violation of the national
faith, and an outrage upon the rigE.s of the
free States; and that it the first step of the
conspiracy against Freedom, which has found
It's appropriate and intended sequel in the law
less attempts of a Missouri mob, instigated BY
conspicuous friends of the National Admins
tratiOn, and cOnnivcd ut 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 any new
slave States into the misunderstanding that, as
national domain is free from Slavery, in
the absence of any positive law establishing it,
are justified in making Freedom Il condition
of their admission into the sisterhood Of States
ReSolced, That we are in favor of the repeal
OF the present Fugitive Slave Law, because it
virtually Suspends the sacred writ of habeQs
corpus, and takes away the right of trial by
jury.
Resolrcd, That imprisonment, without trial,
of citizens Of free States, by the Federal Judi
ciary, is bold invasion Of personal liberty, a
violation Of the guaranteed rights of the States,
and an assumption of Federal power, that should
be resisted determinedly By every friend of per-
sonal freedom.
Resolred, That we cordially invite all who
approve OF the principles set forth in these reSo-
lutiOns, without regard to their former political
asSociauUns, 10 unite ana cooperate with TO
for the purpose Of restoring the administration
Of this Government 10 its original purity, aud
directing It's energies to the accomplishment Of
ITS true object, set forth in the Constitution,
VIZ: " TO form more perfect union to estab-
lish justice, to insure domestic tranquility, to
provide for the common defence, promote the
general welfare, and secure the blessings of
liberty TO ourselves and our posterity'
Letters were then read from the Hen. David
=. Chase, Benjamin f. Butler, Samuel Gallo
way; one from James A. Briggs, Esq, OF Cleve-
land, and joint letter from citizens of Union
county.
Mr.. Wilmot was engaged holding court he
sets down Bradford county as good for 5000
majority for Freedom.
Mr.. Hale is busy in the canvass in Maine.
Mr.. Wilson thinks that Pennsylvania holds
IN her hands the issues Of 1886. If Peuns :
vania continues to stand firmly with her sister
States OF the North, the year lS56 will witness
the complete overthrow Of the black power %
the South and the servile power of the North
and the ignOminious defeat of Northern men
with Southern prncip!es-or, rather, Northern
men with no principles at ALL"
Mr.. Chase was obliged to fulfil several az
pointments in Ohio, laborng in the common
cause
Mr.. Butler enumeraes the points Of North
ern grievance, and adds: "The compact of
$50 must he restored, either in solemn or
binding words, by replacing in the statute book
or, IN TACT, by forever excluding the territory
originally embraced in it from admission into
the Union, except as free States That the |
people OF the free States should permanently !
submit to the injustice and humiliation involved
IN the repeal of the Missouri COMPROMISE, |
hold to be impossible. That they should post |
pone Tor day longer than the Constitution
makes necessary, the just and peaceful meas |
IRE OF redress which that instrument puts with |
in their reach, is folly which | trust they will |
not commit ] therefore hail with real salts |
faction every new demonstration of the popular |
sentiment IN the direction of Immediate. fair. |
and constitutional relief"
Mr.. Galloway was also Jealous, and thought |
he should be there, but was not.
Mr. briggs trusts . that at this interesting |
period, when so much is demanded of the free |
men OF Pennsylvania, her sons wills be found |
DONG battle for Truth and Right, and thus prove
themselves worthy representatives of Penn. and |
Meth, and Franklin, and Sergeant. and Oar |
lnston, and Foster, and Ritner, and Forward" |
vi the speeches, we cannot make room for |
more than the following extract fl.oro that of |
Mr.. Giddings:
1t the Missouri Compromise. excluding |
Slavery from the Northwest worked like |
charm. The entire West sprang I'D as by |
ehchantment INTO a gigantic en- ire. When |
was such miracle ever seen before? In 50. !
tlere was not civilized habitation in the great
Northwest, west of the Ohio river. /, was an |
unbroken wilderness. Now there are carved |
ont OF that Territory five great Sta ties, richer
IN all the elements of national gran ideur than |
any despotism in all Europe. But there came |
a change over the spirit Of the dream. II |
eihahatcd rom the extreme South. After forty |
years Oh prosperity and peace, the spi nit of sec
y arose, amd the rice, cotton, and cane
fields of the extreme South. They had maid NO |
heed to the spirit of our legislation Even |
lrglnla, where this new treason was aftervyard |
Matched, had not dreamed Of bending The Com |
Sututlon to this ARlericdn dcsp0tisHt As late |
as 1873, IN her Legislature, it was re. solved, that
Slavery as 1t existed among them was, a blot ON
the national escutcheon, and ought to be abol-