Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1856-01-15
The Convention and the Platform.

WE publish below the resolutions
adopted by the recent State Conventio o.
We have not time now for extended
comments either upon the Convention
or the resolutions adopted by tive
shall probably recur to both hereafter.
The resolutions are not what we would
have desired; but on the other hand, they
are perhaps even further from being what
we apprehended. They are undoubtedly
the result Of compromise. In many OF
the propositions enumerated il them we
cordially concur; while our objections
10 others relate rather to the junc.ure
and circumstances al and under which
they were propounded, than to what
they really express.
There is no endorsement Of the Ad.
ministration or Of the Kansss. Nebraska
Act, which 10 right; while there is de.
nial Of the power Of Congress 10 lesislato
on the subject Of slavery 10 the terrific.
ries, which is not in accordance with our
opinion. There is also recognition Of
the doctrine oe Popular Sovereignty,
which, restrained within its proper limits,
we shall certainly be the last 10 contro.
vert, There is, besides, a condemn tion
Of tho Know Nothing order, and Of all
religious intolerance, to which we give
our hearty assent.
But we will not longer detain our
readers from the resolutions themselves.
list. Resolved, That Slavery tbeins the crea.
ture OF positive law, cannot exist without it,)
| is domestic institution, and that Congress has
neither the power to legisllte it into any Ter
ritory or State, nor 10 exclude it therefrom. but
to leave the people thereof perfectly free to
form and regulate their domestic institutions
in their own way, subject only to the Constl-
tuition OF the United States.
I'd. Resolped, That the right Of the people
OF each particular State and Territory 10 es-
tablish their own constitution or form of gov
ernment; 10 choose and regulate their own do
mestic institutions Of every kind and to legis.
late for themselves, is fundamental principle
of all free government; and that it is the self
same right to secure which our ancestors waged
the war Of the Revolution; right lying at the
very foundation of all our free institutions, re.
cognized in the Declaration of Independence
and established by the constitution Of the Uni
ted States; and we hereby endorse and reafirm
this no,o disputed principle.
Sd. Resolped, That the introduction of NOR
al aud religious questions into the political con
troversies and issues Of the day, is wide de.
parture from the ancient principles and sound
policy Of the country; at war with the true in'
terests Of the people, cOrrupting alike to NOR.
ais, religion and politics. and OF most PERM.
cious and dangerous tendency.
| 4lh. RESOLVED, That Democracy has no Sc
cresy and requires no oaths; that while it pub.
lcy avows, as fundamental principle, free
dom of conscience, without distinction OF re
ligious faith, The political equality Of all whom
the law recognizes as American citizens, with
out reference - the accident of birth, it relies
for success upon open discussion and the intel
ligence and virtue o! the people: We there
fore denounce the Know Nothing organization,
T so called, as intoleran, in its warfare upon the
freedom OF religious belief and the sacred
; rights Of conscience; unjustly exclusive in it.
requirements Of birth and blood; corruptlng
deInoralizing in its oath and concealment, ant
anti. republican and dangerous in its secre
combination, and its secret political action.
9Th. Resolued, Hhat the Democracy Of Ohio
relying upon the intelligence and patriotism
Of the people, declare and publish these as th'
principles for which they will do battle; ant
3 inscribing them upon their banner, thus bold
and defantly meet the issues presented no,o b.
the combined hosts of the enemies of Democ
. racy, and of the Union and the Constitution
pedging themselves that, that banner shall re
main unfurled 50 long as there is Constitutio
j and Union and Democratic principles to sup
port and defend.
9Th. Resolped, That we rejoice in the firm
: noble and patriotic stand Of the Democrat
q members of the Congress of the limited States
in the matter of elccting Speaker of III
s House Of Representatives, and trust that the
= will maintain that stand to the last