The Placer herald., 1856-04-12
1MOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM
ADOPTED AT THE STATE CONVENTION, HELD AT SAC
RAMENT6 CITY, MARCH 9TH. lS56.


liberty. and 4he 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 cur country has advanced
with such unparalleled rapidity 10 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 broades sense. Of the illustrous
o.underS of our faith Therefore
Resolved, 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 TIE llustrious Jackson.
and which have been adhered to by the friends of
liberty and humanity to the present period. to-wt:
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 Government.
To secure which We are in favor of the prompt
arraignment and punishment of all public officers
convicted of peculaton.
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.
CniceTSal Suffrage, "1'reSfricted By property
qualifications. that every citizen may enjoy the
highest prerogatve Of a freeman. on the basis of
his manhood. and not Of his property.
Liberal naturalization lars. that the oppressed
of every nation may speedily secure the blessings
of liberty guaranteed by cur national Consttu-
tion after reaching 'the land Of the free and
home of the oppressed
The support of the State Government in all
their rig ghts as the most competent administrations
for our domestic concerns and the surest bWlwarks
against anti-republican tendencies
The preservation OF the General Government in
its whole constitutional vigor, 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 acquescence 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.
JHiUerSGl 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
dem Of person. under the protection of the habeas
corpus. and tried by juries impartially selected.
That although Democrats may have differed in
opinions upon the eXpediency Of the Missouri
Compromise, yet as that question is now a by-gone
issue. are ready to resist its restoration as in
expedent and unwise. and recognize in the prin-
cipie Of popular soyereignty.' as embraced in
the Compromise Measures ol 1859 and the Balti-
more platform Of 1852, and subsequently embod-
led in the Kansas Nebraska bill, as the one great
issue before the American people at this time;
and We Will cherish and maintain such principles
as the sheet-anchor Of our hopes, and will uphold
it as the only sure means Of pcrpetuatng our
government through all time to como.
The prompt construction of the Atlantic and
Pacific Railroad. And, a. Il means of accomplish
ing this great result, an appropriation by the
its speedy completion.
We are in favor of Union and Liberty, now
and forever. one and inseparablC-'
We demand of the General Government the
prompt construction of the necessary Qualifications
upon this coast. to afford protection to the great
interests of this State. The establishment Of
United States Arsenal. with such supplies and mu-
nitons of war as will enable the citizens of this
State to protect themselves against Indian aggres
sOns or foreign invasions.
We are opposed to all secret political organiza-
tions. regarding them as subv"r5iye of the great
principles upon which our institutions are based.
and dangerous to liberty We are opposed to that
party (talscly called Amercan) which reckessly
assails the sacred rights Of conscience proscribes
naturaliZed American citizens. aSSailS all the
great doctrines secured by the heroism of the rev
oution and established by the wisdom and pa
trotSm of the founders Of the Republic; and yet.
hypocritically profess attachment ito the purer
days Of the Republic. and invoke the spirit OF
heroisn, patriotism and virtue that precipitated
the RevolutiOn.n and declare that Americans
shall rule America"
We are opposed to all sectional organizations
the formation Of parties upon geographical diyi-
sions, and the agitation Of the question of slavery
Resolred, That we approve of the principles
and policy of the Administration Of President
Pierce, and urge their adoption and enforcement
upon all succeeding Administrations.
Resoired. 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
are in favor of protecting the actual settler in all
his just. equitable and legal rights.
Resolrcd That in common with large major
ity Of the people Of California. the members Of
this Convention have unbounded confidence in the
integrity, great ability sterling Democracy and
ardent devotion to country. of the Hon JAMES
Of Pennsylvania; that we have not
forgotten the distinguished services by him rem
dered as Secretary Of State under the lamentcd
Folk 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 well as the honor of
his country, therefore be it
Resolved. 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 bat
gave ulterance 10 the WlShcS OF an immense ma
ority Of the Democracy OF the State of California
Resolved, That the delegates elected by this
Convention to the Democratic National Conven-
lion be- and they are hereby instructed that it is
he earnest and unanimous desire of the DemOc
'acy of the State Of California that the nomna-
ion for President of the United States shall be
given to the Hon. James Buchanan, of Pennsyl-
-ania.
Resolyed That the Democratic party still ad-
ieres to that policy which has already filed our
Mountains with hardy and prosperous miners, and
,uiit up for our State that prosperity which has so
marked her brief hissory-To the
miners belongs the regulation of the mines
Resolred That our delegates be, and they are
hereby instructed to supporl man for President
or ' ice President Of the United States who is not
sound national demOcrat, in favor of preserving
he Union as all hazards, and of protecting the |
-ti it,1ti Ill