Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-03-08

This Convention, the proceedings Of which
We have noticed in our last issue, passed a
series OF resolutions, some of which we insert
to show our readers how erect and stately the
whole Key Stone is upon the Constitution Of
our country. The resolutions seem to have
been prepared by our friend Judge John l..
Dawson so well known to the Constitutional
Democracy of the country. We would not have
expected any thing else from him.
Resolped, That in the present distracted con
dition of parties, in which sectional and par
tial issues have been allowed to attain ii dan
gerous supremacy, we recognise in his policy
of the Democratic party, that which rests upon
the Constitution as its basis; and that it is the
party which above all others has, in the Ian
guage Of the illustrious Madison, even con-
tinued ito hold the union of the States as the
basis Of their peace and happiness; to support
the Constitution, which is the cement of the
Union, as well in its limitations as its authori-
ties; to respect the rights and authorities re-
served to the States and to the people, rs
equally incorporated with and essential to the
success of the general system; and to avoid the
slightest interference with the rights of consci
ence or the functions of religion, so wisely ex-
empted from civil jurisdiction"
Resolped, That the equality of the States is
the vital element Of the Constitution itself, and
that all interference with the rights of the
States by those who seek ~ disregard the
sacred guarantees of the past, and by all others,
should be rebuked with the same spirit that
would denounce and repudiate all attempts to
erect odious distinctions between those who
are entitled to share the blessings and benefits
Of our free institutions.
RESOLVED, That in the repeal of the act
known as the Missouri Compromise act, and the
passage ofthe act organizing the Territories of
Kansas and Nebraska, free from unconstitu-
tional restrictions, the last Congress performed
a work Of patriotic sacrifice in meeting the
demands of sectional excitement by mistaken
adherence TO the fundamental law
Resoloed, That this legislation cannot be
deemed unnecessary, but that it was expedient
to meet the questions of which it disposed, and
which could never admit of more easy settle
ment than at present. That we recognise in it
the application to the Territories of the Uuited
States, of the rule Of "e9ual and exact justice
to all men" Of all sections of the confederacy,
which was designed by the trainers of our gov
eminent, and which was defined as one OF its
essential principles by the immortal Jefferson.
Resolced, That unerring indications point to
the hon. James ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS alike
by his high personal character, his tried Demo
crazy, his great abilities, experience and emf
nent craftsmanship the nations choice for
the Office Of President of the United States for
the term commencing on the 4th Of March,
1857; and that we do hereby instruct our dele
gates to the National Convention TO assemble
in Cincinnati in June next, to use their efforts
to secure him the nomination to that office.
Resolced, That at period when sectional
ism, in its worst aspects, attempts to under
mine the foundations Of the federal constitu
ton, and when an abolition majority aspires
to supremacy in the popular branch OF the ma
tional legislature, and with the prospect Of
difficulties with foreign nations, who for their
purposes may seek to intercept and stay the
progress Of free institutions on this continent,
in order that they may more effectually arrest
the advancing footsteps Of our republican ex-
ample, the statesmanlke qualities of James
Buchanan-his long and well tried services in
defence Of the Constitution-his intimate know
ledge of all our relations with foreign countries
and his large and enlightened experience
point to him as pre-eminently the man to lead
the victorious columns of the Democracy in
November next.