Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1856-05-08
Platform of the Bentonians and Antics

wings OF the democracy, adopted by their
Conventions, which assembled in Jefferson
City last week. Both platforms were adop-
ted with great unanmity:
BENTON PLATEoRm.
/. That we recognise in slavery aRita-
ton, the greatest and most persistent enemy
to the peace and prosperity Of Missouri
and believing that its continuance threatens
danger, not only to our domestic safety, but
also to the union of the States, we will dis
countenanoe the same under whatever dis
guse it may appear.
z. That while we cannot approve of the
repeal of the Missouri Comprilnise, because
it has brought upon the country truly fear
ful slavery agitation, we yet consider the
attempt TO restore it as tending TO the
same kind of agitation, and are therefore
Opposed to it.
3. That we will acquesce in the prinoi-
pies of the kansas Nebraska act, fairly and
honestly carried out; that we deem main
;enance Of the equal! rights Of citizenship to
men from all parts Of the Union, as an es-
8ential requisite in the application Of these
principles 10 the new Territories, and that
we are opposed to all attempts at retarding
immigration thither by outside interference,
by test o"ths, or by property qualifications
III conflict with the spirit Of the act.
4. That we regard secret political soCie-
ties as dangerous 10 the liberties Of our coun-
try, and especially that oath-bound party
commonly styled Know Nothing Order; that
its creed, which makes religious opinions
and place Of birth tests Of Americanism and
fitness for Office, is plain and palpablo vio-
laiion of the Constitution of the United
States, as well as that of the State Of Mis-
souri,, which recognise no such tests, and
that we will oppose strenuously, as cacu-
! lated 10 overturn wise and well founded
policy Of our government. any effort 10 eX-
tend the term ofyears required by the pres
ent naturalization laws OF the United States,
or to interfere with the laws regulating citi-
| zenship in the State Of Missouri.
| B. That we believe the development of
the industrial resources Of Missouri, of its
agricultural and mineral wealth, as well as
OF the facilities of transport, demands that
we sustain the present internal improvement
system as embodied in the State credit
/ pledged to the great trunk railroad, and that
we uphold the same by wise and prudent
legislation.
9th. That Missouri has a common inter-
est with The Western States in the estab-
I llshment of policy which will distribute
the burdens and benefits OF the government
in opposing all measures calculated TO adj
vance the interests OF one section of the Cn-
/ ion at the expense Of another in the con-
strucIion OF a public railway to the Pacific
through the heart of the country-In the
! improvement Of our western rivers and
harbors--in the cession Of the public domain
to the States within which the same NAV
lie; and in order to inaugurate and enforce
this policy we invite the united cooperation
Of all the Western States.
7th. That we denounce abolitionism bv
its name of Black Repubicanism, nullifca-
cation. secession and disunion, a. elements
of discord and distraction, each having a
common purpose, weakening the bonds OF
our glorious Union; ond every lover OF his
country should be found in united opposition
to them.
Sth. That in order not only 10 bring
back and maintain our government in its
original purity, but at the same time TO in
sure its benefits and blessings to all, we are
in favor Of further aiding and extending our
Common School System until every child
living under the American Government
shall have an opportunity to receive a good
and thorough education, preparing it for the
exercise OF its privileges and the sharing oi
its honors and emouments.
ANTI-BENToN PLATFORM.
WHEREAS, The important issues now before
the country involve momentous conse.
i quences TO the peace and well being o.
these United States; and whereas, the
State OF Missouri, from her geographical
position and past history, is made tn,
theatre, and to some extent, the centre o.
the eXcitemen, which now disturbs III,
tranquility of the Repub ic; and whereas
the Democracy Of Missouri deem it es
sential to the welfare of the State and tht
purity of their political organization, tha
all these disturbing issues should receiv,
plain and unequivocal expression o
opinion; therefore, Resolved
l. That we reaffirln the principles Of Thu
Democratic platform, adopted at Baltimore
and Jefferson City in 1852.
2. That true friends Of the Union Of these
States are those who defend their equality
faithfully execute all the stipulations of tn,
constitution, and oppose in senGment ant
action the Anti-slavery party, in its efforts
to destroy the equal rights of the slavehold,
er and the slaveholding States.
] 3. That the Constitution of the United
States is the fundamental law of our Union
and that the great and leading principle
upon which it is based is perfect equality
among the States between which il has beer
adopted; and that, in all things involving the
joint rights Of the States, there can be nc
discrimination made by the General Gov,
ernment in favor Of any one or more of the
States, to tho exclusion of the others, with.
out palpSble departure from the justio,
and equality which the Government was
instituted to maintain.
A. That we cordially approve the pas,
sage of the Kansas Nebraska act, and Of
/, the principle which it recognizes, that tn,
people of the Territories have the right 4
form and regulate their domestic Institutions
in their own way, subject only to the Con.