Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1856-09-11
Democratic Slave Platform.

AdOpted al Cincinnati J2tne 4, 1856.
And, Whereas, Since the foregoing declaration was
uniformly adopted by our predecessors in National
conventions an adverse political and religious test has
been secretly organized by party claiming to be ex
cusively American, it is proper that the American De
mocracy should state its relations thereto and decar,
its determined opposition to all secret political societies
Iby whatever name they may be called,
Resolved, That the foundation of this Union of State
lavRg been laid in, and its prosperity, expansion anC
pre-. eminent example in ree government built upoI
entire freedom in matters of religious cOncernment ant
70 respect OF persons in regard rank or place of
rth-no party can justly be deemed national consi
uQna or in accordance with american principles
which bases its exclusve organization upon religious
onions and accidental birth place. And hence DoI
zeal CRUSADE in the nineteenth century, and in the Uni
-ed States Of America, against Catholics and foreion
torn is neither justified by the past history nor The
future prospects of the country, in unison with the
pit of toeraton aud enlarged freedom which peculi.
rly distinguishes the American system Unpopular gov.
,rnment.
Resolved That we reitcraie with'rcnewed energy ol
purpose, the well considered declarations of former
Conventions upon the sectional issues of Democratic
hvery and concerning the reserved rights of the
States:
/, That Congress has no power un der the Consttu
ons to interfere with control the domestic institutions
of the several states and that such states arc the sole
and proper judges OF everything appertaning to their
own alIais not prohibited by the Constitution: thai
all efot of the abolonists Others made to induce
Congress interfere with the question Of Slavery or Ia
take ncipent steps thereto, calculated to lead ia
the most alarming and dangerous consequences; and
that all such Efforts have inevitable tendency to d.
ninsh the happiness of the people, and cndanger IL,
stability and permanency of the UniOn and ought no tc
be countenanced by any friend of political ns itu
tiVns,
y That the foregoing proposition covers and wa.
intended to embrace the whole subject of sla ery gita
ton in Congress; and therefore, tho Democr tic oart,
of the Union, standing on this national ,la form
will abide by and adhere to faithful execution of thf
acts known as the Compromise measures settled by
the Congress of 1885, the act for reclGng fuel ives
from service or labor included; which act being de-
81 gned to AIRY out express provision of The COns
tuition, cannot with fidelity thereto, be repealed or 50
changed so az to destroy or impair its efficiency.
g. That the Democratic party will Tesisist ali attem
pts at renewing in congress or out of H. the agitation
Of the slavery ques ion under whatever shape or color
the attempt may be made,
T. That the Democratic party will faithfully abide
by and uphold tho principles laid down In the Ken.
tucky aud Virginia resolutions Of l799 and in khe re
port OF Madison to the Virginia Legislature in I7gg
that 1t ad pts those principles as constituting one of b
main foundations OF its political creed and il resoveG
to carry them out In thev obvious meaning and import
ana that we may more distinctly me ct the issue or
which seebona party, subssting excusivelv ~ a.
cry agitation now relies to test the fidelity ~ tha
ple north and south, TO the Constitution and th
/. Resolved, That claiming fellowship with "ni
desiring the cooperation Of all who regard the
vaon Of tho Union under the Constitution ss ~.
amount ssue and repudiatng all sectional parties P@r 1n
platforms concerning domestic slvery, which seeL
enbro the States spd to cite TO treason and armed r.
AiEtaAeets Law In ne Territsries and whose avove