The true Democrat., 1856-07-01
To the People of the State of
 Arkansas.

To the People of the State of
 Arkansas.
 FELLOW CITIZENS By the state democra- tic convention held at the seat of government, on the 5th day of last month, l had the high honor of being nominated as the democratic candidate, for reelection to the office of Go- vernon of the State of Arkansas
 Delegates to this convention had been ap- pointed at public democratic meetings held in all the counties of the State. In fifty or ffty- one out of tifty-tour counties resolutions were passed, l believe, in favor of my nomination; and the three or four counties which had not specially instructed in my favor were represent ed in the state convention and their delegates did not oppose, but united ill nominating me by exclamation.
 Such a compliment bestowed by the demo- cratic party of this state, fills my heart with gratitude. The convention adopted platform of principles which are democratic and fully approve hem. The nomination have accept ed, and am candidate for reelection to the office of Governor of the State of Arkansas. My sentiments on political questions, now expressing the attention of the public, sub- init u your kind consideration iu this address T am and ever have been opposed to the es- tabliShment of a national blnk-to protective tariff which uuiustly taxes one portion of the people for the benefit of ahother-to the dis tr!butlon of the proceeds of the sales of the publc lands among the several states to the as sumption by the federal government of the debts of the several states, contracted for local internal improvements or other state purposes-to to the n- reference by Congress with the domesticinstitu tions of the several states-I am opposed 10 striking from the constitution that part W which gives the President q qualified veto power, [" (which has thrice saved the American people from the cOrrupt and tyrannical domination of the Bank of the United States
 l am opposed to all attempts of abo,itonsts, freesoilcrS, black republicans and their les who seek to deprive the south ofconstitutiomal rights by restoring the unconstitutional Missouri com promise line. l have confidence in the intelli. gence of the people, in their patriotic devo- ton to our republican intitutons, and believe that the people of the territories are fully ca pable, and have the right, to form and regu-
 late their domestic Institutions in their own way, subject only to the constitution. 1 hear tily approve the Kansas X ebraska act which recognizes this principle, which is in harmony with the great republican axiom that tLe peo- pie are capable of self-governm .nt
 l hold that whenever the number If inhabi- tants of a territory justiitS 1t, the people have the right "acting through the legally and fairly expressed will of majority of ac- tual residents. to form a constitution, with or without domestic slavery, and be admitted in- to the Union upon terms of perfect equality with the other states"
 -rThe federal government in its action should be confined to its limited powers which are de- rived solely from the constitution. The powers not delegated to the United States by the constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people," This provision of the con stitution should be held in remembrance, and the rule of strict construction followed by all the departments and agents of the govern ment, so that the federal power may not entrcnch upon the reserved rights of the states and of the people.
 The federal government does not possess the power to commence and carry on gene ral system of internal Improvements; but is | limited by the constitution in conducting and carrying on works of internal improvement in the states, to such as are clearly national and necessary. hold that the moneys of the go- vernment should be kept separate from bank ing lnsttutons-that rigid economy should be enforced and practised by every branch of the government, and no more revenue raised than is required to defray the nescessary expenses of the government.
 "The liberal principles embodied by Jeffer- son in the declaration of independence, and sanctioned in the constitution, which makes ours the land of liberty, and the asylum of the oppressed of every nation, have ever been cardinal principles in the democratic faith and every attempt to abrdge the privilege of be- coming citizens and the owners of soil amono us, ought to be .esi7ted with the same spirit which swept the alien and sedtion laws from our statute books"
 l am in favor of the faithful administration ot the existing naturalization laws and am op posed to any change in the time of residence required by them. l am opposed to proscrb- Ing any cltlzen on account of the place of his birth. l am opposed to diminishing or enlarg- ing the civil and political privileges or capacities ot any cltlZen on account of his religion. Tam opposed to uniting church and state. But it may be asked who Is in favor of uniting church and state! contend that religious intolerance IS the hrst step towards it--a step in favor of monarchy--a blow at the constitution--an as- sault upon our republican nstitutions-a begin nlnS made to crush out our civil liberty and re- llglous freedom The constitution declares that "Cong1ess shaHmake no law rspecting an establ'sh- naent cf religion, prohibiting the free ere'cse therecf" and that " no religious test shaH euer be reQu'red as qualification to any og'ee or p"6f'c trust unde, the United States" The constitution is binding on every citizen. It IS not lawful for any citizen to place himself under obliga- tions, whether publicly or secretly, to oppose, disregard or nullify any provision of the con- stitution.
 lam opposed to all secret political societies by whatever hame they may be called
 I belive "that the American or Know Noth- ing party by its secret meetings, its ceremonials its oaths and mummeries, has tended to demoral- lze public sentiment; whilst by embracing, as it now does, great sectional issue, and adopting, as It has done in it's very inception, religious in- tolerance, and political and civil incapacity be- cause of the accident of birth, as primary prin- cples of political action, violates the spirit of both the state and federal constitutions, and aims deadly blow at the highest and most sacred rights of man." The constitution of