The Placer herald., 1856-04-05
DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
ADOPTED AT THE STATE CONVENTION, HELD AT SA
RAMENTO CITY MARCH 5TH. 1856.

!
OF those prime Piles are essential to the security OF
! liberty. and the integrity of the union of these
States, it is, therefore, fitting and proper that the
cardinal principles Of the Democratic party, by
the influence OF which our country has advanced
with such unparalleled rapidity TO power and
greatness, should be clearly set forth, not only to
guide the party in its future action but to exhibit
the wisdom, the patriotism, and the exalted love
Of liberty in its broadest sense, of the illustrous
ofunders Of our faith. Therefore
Res0ired, That we inscrbe on our banner the
! following principles of our political faith which
were proclaimed by the immortal Jefferson. sus-
tanned and enforced by the illusrious jackson.
and which have been adhered to by the friends OF
liberty and humanity to the present period, towit:
A strict construction OF the Constitution, that
the honest will of the people may be carried out.
Equal justice to all men, of whatever State or
persuasion, religious or political.
/ Strict economy and rigid accountability in all
/ the Departments of Governments
! To secure which we are in favor Of the prompt
arralgnment and punishment Of all public officers
! convicted of peculati0n.
An undertaking adherence to the universal
standard Of value Of gold and silver, that honest
industry may receive its Just reward and the gen
cral interests of the country be securely and per-
manently established.
! Universal suffrage, unrestricted dY property
| qualifications, that every citizen may enjoy the
| highest prerogative OF freeman. on the basis OF
! his manhood. and not OF his property.
| Liberal naturalization 1atcS. that the oppressed
| of every nation may speedily secure the blessings
of liberty guaranteed by our national Constitu-
! ton, after reaching the land Of the free and
home Of the oppressed
/ The support of the State Government in all
their rights as the most competent administrations
for domestic concerns, and the surest bulwarks
/ against anti-republicau tendencies
The preservation Of the General Government in
its whole constitutional vgor, as the sheet anchor
of our peace at home and safety abroad
jealous care of the right of election by the
people and prompt and exemplary punishment Of
all frauds upon the elective franchise.
Absolute acquiescence in the decisions of the
majority. the vital principle of republics from
which there is no appeal but to force, the vital
principle and immediate parent of despotism.
Lnirersal education, and the prompt arraign-
ment of all abuses at the bar Of public reason.
The honest payment of our debts and the sa-
cred preservation of the public faith.
Freedom of religion. freedom of the press, free
dom OF person. under the protection of the habeaS
corpus and tried by juries impartialIy selected.
That although Democrats may have differed in
opinions upon the eXpediencY of the Missouri
Compromise, yet, as that question is now by-gone
issue. we are ready to resist its restoration in
eXpedient and unwse and recognize in the prin-
ciple of popular sovereignty embraced III
the Compromise Measures of 1850 and the Balti-
more platform Of 1852 and subsequently embOd-
led in the Kansas Nebraska bill, as the great
issue before the American people at this time;
aud we will cherish and maintain such principles
as the sheetanchor OF our hopes, and will uphold
it as the only sure means Of perpetuating our
government through all time to come.
The prompt construction Of the Atlantic and
Pacific Railroad And, d means of accomplish
ing this great result. an appropriation by the
General Government of land sufficient to secure
its speedy completion.
We are in favor of Union and Liberty, now
and forever, one and inseparabe."
WA Innop1 of thA General fTnynrnn,ant thn
prompt construction Of the necessary fortifcations
upon this coast to afford protection to the great
interests Of this State The establishment of a
United States Arsenal. with such supplies and mu-
nitions Of war will enable the citizens of this
State to protect themselves against Indian ggres
sions or foreign inVasions.
We are opposed to all secret political organza-
tiOns, regarding them as subyersiye Of the great
principles upon which our institutions are based,
and dangerous to liberty. We are opposed to that
party falsely called American) which recilessiy
assails the sacred rights Of conscience prOscrlbe7
naturalized American citizens. assals all the
great doctrines secured by the herosm Of the rev.
olution and established by the wisdom and pa
triotiSm of the founders Of the Republic: and yet.
hypocritcally profess attachment 40 the pHrer
days of the Republic, and invoke the spirit OF
heroisn, patriotism aud virtue that precipitated
the Revolution" and declare that "Americans
shall rule America
We are opposed to all sectional organizations
the formation of parties upon geographical divi-
sions and the agitation of the question of slavery
BesoIped, That We approve of the principles
and policy of the Administrative Of President
Pierce. and urge their adoption and enforcement
upon all succeeding Administrations,
Res0iue9 That We are in favor of the most lib
eral appropriation by the General Government. Of
the public lands in California, for the benefit Of
actual settlers in limited quantities.; and that we
in favor of protecting the actual settler in all
his just, equitable and legal rights
Resolved, That in common with a large major
ity of the people of California, the members of
this Convention have unb0unded confidence in the
integrity, great ability, sterling Democracy aud
ardent devotion to country, of the Hon. JAMES
BUCHANAN. of Pennsy sylvania; that we have not
forgotten the distinguished services by him rem
dered as Secretary OF State, under the amented
Polk, during the war with Mexico, which resulted
in the acquisition Of the territory we now occupy:
nor have We failed to appreciate his fearless bear
ing and discreet action as our Minister to Great
Britain during the discussion of questions highly
important to the interests as we'll as the honor of
his country, therefore be il
Resolued That the members of this Convention.
in expressing our ardent desire for the nomination
and triumphant election of the Hon. James Bu-
chanan as President of the United States, do but
give utterance to the wishes of an immense ma
jorty of the Democracy Of the State of California.
Resolued That the delegates elected by this
Convention to the Democratic National Conven-
ton be, and they are hereby instructed that it is
the earnest and unanimous desire of the Democ-
racy of the State of California that the nOmina-
ton for President of the United States shall be
given to the Hon. James Buchanan, Of Pennsyl-
vania
Resolved, That the Democratic party still adj
heres to that policy which has already filed our
mountains with hardy and prosperous miners and
built up for our State that prosperity which has so
wonderfully marked her brief history-To the
miners belongs the regulation of the mines
Resoloed, That our delegates be, and they are
hereby instructed to supporl no man for President
or Vice President of the United States who is not
a sound national democrat, in favor of preserving