The Placer herald., 1856-09-06
Democratic Platform in full.

are rs follows
Resofred. That the American Democracy place
their trust in the intelligence the patriotsm m and
the discriminating Justice OF the American people
resolved. That we regard this as distinctive
feature OF our creed which we are proud to main
tain before the world us great moral element in
form of government springing from and upheld
! by popular Will, and We contrast it with the
creed and practice Of Federalism, under whatev,
name or form. which seeks to palsy the vote OF
the constituent. and which conccives no imposture
too monsrous for the popular credulity.
RtSoirfd. therefore. That entertaining these
views. the Democrat party Of the Union. through
Their delegates assembled in a general Convention
OF the States. convening together in " spirit OF
concord, OF devo on to the doctrines aud faith OF
free representative government. and appealing
to their fellow citizens for the recttude OF their
intent ons renew and re-assert before the Amrri-
can people the declarations Of prime pies avowed
10y them, when. on foImer occasions. in general
convention. they presented their candidates for
the popular suiilages.
|. That the federal government is one of limit
ed powers derived solely from the Constitution
and the grants Of power made therein ought to be
strictly construed hy all the departments and
agents Of the government: and it in inexppdent
and dangerous to exercise doubtful constitutional
powers
2. That the Constitution does not confer upon
the general government the power to commence
and carry on general system Of internal i'm
provements
B. That the Constitution does not confer an
tlority upon the federal government directly aud
indirectly. to assume the debts of the several
States. contracted for local and internal improve
men,a. or other State purposes; nor would such
assumption be just or eXpedient.
a. That justice and sound policy forbid the
Federal Government TO foster one branch of in.
duStry to the det iment of any other or to cherish
the interests OF one portion to the injury of ano
thcr portion OF our common country; that every
citizen and every section of the country has Il
right TO demand and insist upon nm equality of
rights and privileges. and a complete and ample
protection OF persons and prop erty from domestic
violence and foreign aggression
6. That it is the duty of every branch of the
Government to enforce and practice the most
rigid economy in conducting onr public atlnirs
and that no more revenue ought to be raised than
is required to detlay the necessary expenses of
the Government and for gradual but certain ex
tinction Of the public debt.
6. That Congress has no power to charter II
National Bank; that we believe such an institution
one OF deadly hostility to the best interests OF our
country. dangerous to our republican institutions
and the liberties Of the people, aud calculated to
place the business Of the country within the con
troll of concentrated money power and above
the laws ana will Of the people; and that the re
suit of Democratic legislation in this and all other
financial measures upon which issues have buen
made between the two political parties Of the
country. have demonstrated to practical men OF
all parties their soundness, safety and utility in
all business pursuits.
7. That the separation of the moneys of the
Government from all banking institutions is in
dspeneahe for the safety Of the funds of the
Government and the rights OF the people
g. That the liberal principles embodied hy JEFF
il he II se ReGGEatop Of naSpands9ss and
the land Of liberty, and the asylum OF the oppres
sed Of every nation. have ever been cardinal prin
ciples in the Democratic faith. and every attempt
TO "hriAg th" privilege Of becoming citizens and
owners Of the soil among us ouynl be rrpist4d
with the same spirit which sw, pit the alien and
sedition laws from our statute book.
9. That Congress has no power under the Con
stitution to interfere w tn control the domestic
institutions Of the several States, and that all such
States are the sole and proper judges OF every
thing apptrtaining to Their own affairs not pro-
hibitcd hy the Constitution; that all efforts OF the
Abolitonists or others made to induce Congress
TO Interfere with questions of slavery. or to take
incipient steps in relation thereto are calculated
to lead to the most alarming aud dangerous con.
sequences, and that all such efforts have an ncvi-
table tentency to diminish the happ ness OF the
people and endanger the stability and p rmtnency
of the Union. and ought not to be countenanced
by any friend OF our political institutions.
ReS0iopd. That the foregoing proposition
subject slavery agitation in Congress, and there
fore the Democratic party Of the Union. standing
on this national platform, will abide ly and adj
here to taithfn execution of the acts know as
tn Compromise Measures settled by Congress. the
act for r4claiming fugitves from service or labor
included; which act being designed to carry out
an express provision of the Constitution. cannot
with fidelity thereto. be repealed, or so changed
as to destroy or impair its efficiency.
Rssolcd. That the Democratic party will resist
all attempts at renewing in Congress, or out Of
it, the agitation of the slavery question:, under
whatever shape or color the attempt may be made.
Reso'red, That the proceeds of the public lands
ought to be sacredly applied to the national Oh
iects specified in the Constitution. and that we
are opposed to any law for the distribution OF the
proceeds among the States rs alike ineXpedient
in policy and repugnant 10 the Constitution.
ResoIDed, That are dt cidedly opposed 10
taking from the President the qualified veto powtr
by which he is enabled. under restrictions and re-
sponsibiltics amply sufficient TO guard the public
interests, to suspend the passage OF bill whose
merits cannot secure the approval of two-thirds
of the Senate and House OF representatives, until
the Judgment Of the people can be obtained there
on, and which has saved the Amer can people
from the corrupt aud tyrannicN dominion Of the
Bank Of the United States, and from corrupt
ing system of general internal improvements
Resolued That the Democratic party Will faith
down in the Kentucky and Virginia resolutions OF
1902 and 1898. and in the report Of Mr.. Madison
to the Virginia Legislature in l799-that il adopts
those principles as constituting one OF the main
foundations Of it's political creed, and is resolved
to carry them out in their obvious meaning and
import.
That in view of the condition of the popular in
stitutions in the old world high and sacred duty
is devoved with increased responsibility upon
the democracy of this country, as the party Of
the reople to uphold and maintain the rights Of
every State and thereby the union OF the States
and to sustain and advance among them constitu-
tional liberty, by continuing to resist all monopo
lies and exclusive legislation for the benefit of
the few, at tho expense Of the many, and by a
vigiant and constant adherence to those prino-
Plies and compromises of the consttution-which
are broad enough and strong enough to embrace
and uphold the Union as it is, and the Union as
1t should be-in the full expansion Of the energies
nd cAnAfsitY of this Ureat and nrnrressyp nunnln