M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1856-09-25
The Democratic Platform AdOp-
ted at the Cincinnati National
Convention.


place their trust in the intelligence, the pat
Iietism, and the discriminating justice OF
the American people.
Rssolped, That we regard this as distinc-
tive leatuTe OF our political creed which we
are proud to maintain before the world, as
the great moral element in a form OF govern
ment springing from and up held by the Popu;,
lar willard we contrast it with the cIecd and
practice OF Federalism, under whatever name
or form, which seeks to palsy the will OF the
constituent, and which conceiyes no impos-
tuIe too monstrous for the popular cTeduli-
ty.
Resolved, therefore, That entertaining these
views, the Democratic party OF the Union,
through their delegates assembled in ageneral
Convention, coming together in spln' OF
concord, of devotion TO the doctrines ana
faith of free representative government,
and appealing to their fellow citizens ior the
rectitude of their intentions, renew and re-
assert before the American people the declara-
tions of principles avowed by them when on
former occasions, in general Convention,
they have presented their candidates iorpopu-
lar suflrages.
|. That the Federal Government is one OF
limited power, derived solely from the Con-
siitution; that the grants Of power, therein
Ough, to be strictly construed by all the de-
partments and agents of the Government g.
aud il is inexpeJient and dangerous TO exer>
else doubtful constitutional powers.
Q. That the Constitution does not confer
upon the General Government the power to
commence and carry on general system OF
internal Improvements.
8. That the Constitution does not confer
authority upon the Federal Government, di-
rectly or indirectly, to assume the debts Of
the several States, contracted for local and
internal Improvements, or other State pur-
poses nor would such assumption be just or
eIpedient.
d. That Justice and sound policy forbid The
Federal Government to foster one branch of
industry to the detrment Of any other, or to
cherish the interests of one portion to the
injury Of another portion of our common
country, that every citizen and every
section Of the country has a right to
demand and insist upon an equality OF rights
and privileges, and to complete and ample
protection of persons and property from
domestic violence or foreign aggression.
5. That it is the duty of every branch Of
the Government to enforce and practice the
most rigid economy in conducting our pub
lie affairs, and that no more revenue ought
TO be raised than is required to deiray the
necessary expenses Of the Government, and
for the gradual, but certain extinction OF the
public debt.
6. That the proceeds of the public lands
ought to be sacredly applied to the national
objects specified i'll the Constitution and
that we ale opposed to any law for the dis
.trbuton OF such proceeds among the States.
as alike ihexpedient in policy and repugnant
10 the Constitution.
Z. That Congress has no power to charter
national bank that we deem such all i'll
shtution one OF deadly hostility to the best
interests OF the country; dangerous to or
republican institutions and the liberties OF
the eeople, and calculated 10 place the busi-
ness of the country within the control of
concentrated money power, and above the
laws and the will of the people; and that
the results Of Democratic legislation in
this and all other financial measures upon
which issues have been made between the
two poilca, parties Of the country, have
demonstrated TO candid and practical men
OF all parties, their safety and utility in all
business pursuits.
8. That the separation of the moneys OF
the Government from banking institutions
is indispensable for the safety OF the funds
OF the Government and the rights of the peo-
ple.
=. That we are decidedly opposed to ta-
king from the President the qualified veto
poverty which he is enabled, under restric.
tions and responsibilities amply sufficient to
guard the public interests,to suspend the pas.
cage ofa bill whose merits cannot secure the
approval oftwo thirds Of theSenate and House
Of Representatives, until the judgment Of the
people can he obtained thereon, and which
has saved the American people from the cor
Iupt and iyranniCal domination OF the Bark
of the United States and from conupting
system Of general internal improvements.
10. That the liberal principles embodied by
Jefferson in the Declaration Of independence
and sanctioned in the Constitution, which
makes ours the land of liberty and the asy.
lum OF the oppressed Of every nation, have
ever been cardinal principles in the the Dem.
ocratic faith, and every attempt 10 abridge
the privelige of becoming citizens and ow-
nels of soil among us ought to be resisted
with the same spirit which swept the alien
and seditlon laws from our statnte books.
And WHEREAS, Since the foregoing de.
claration uniformly adopted by our pre-
deCessors in National Conventions, an ad
verse political and religious test has been
secretly organized by party claiming to be
exclusively American, it is proper that the
American Democracy should clearly defn e
lis relations thereto, and declare its deter
minel opposition to all secret political soci
ties, by whatever name they may be called
ReSOlred, That the foundation OF this un.
ion of States having been laid in, and its
prosperity, expansion and pre- eminent ex-
ample in free government built upon entire
freedom OF matters OF religious toncernment
and no respect of persons in regard to rank
or place of birth no party can justly be
deemed national, or in accordance with
American principles, which bases its excu-
eiVe organization unnn rsliuiouc n oninionS