The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1856-06-11

rast it with the creed and practi ce of Fed
,ralism under whatever name or form
which seeks to palsy the will of the coz
%stituent, and which conceives no impos-
teo monstrous for the popular Gre
RESOLVED, therefore, That entertaining
these views, the Democratic party of this
Union, through their delegates assembled
in a general convention, coming together
in a spirit of concord, of devotion to the
and faith of a free representa-
tive government, and appealing to their
fellow-citizens for the rcctitude of their in
tentions, renew and reassert before the
American people the declarations of prin-
ciples avowed by them when on former
occasions, in general Convention, they
have presented their candidates for pop
ular SURFACES.
/. That the Federal Government is one
of limited power, derived solely from the
Constitution; and the grants of power
made therein ought to be strictly con-
strued by all the departments and agents
of the government; and that it is inexpe-
dient and dangerous to exercise doubtful
constitutional powers.
2. The Constitution does not confer
upon the General Government the power
to commence and carry on a general sys-
tenn of internal improvements.
8. That the Constitution does not con-
fer authority upon the Federal Govern
ment, directly or indirectly, to assume the
debts of the several States, contracted for
local and internal improvements, or other
State purposes, nor would such assump-
ton be just or expedient.
4. That justice and sound policy for
bid the Federal Government to foster one
branch of industry to the detriment 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 an ample protection of persons
and property from domestic violence or
foreign aggression.
3. That it is the duty of every branch
Of the Government to enforce and practice
the most rigid economy in conducting our
public affairs, and that no more revenue
ought to be raised than is required to de-
fray the necessary expenses of the Gov
erpment, and for the gradual, but certain
extinction of the public debt.
G.. That the proceeds of the public
lands ought to be sacredly applied to the
national objects specified in the Cons,itu-
ton; and that we are opposed to any law
for the distribution of such proceeds among
the States, as alike irexpedient in policy
and repugnant to the Constitution.
I. That Congress has no power to
charter a national bank; that We believe
such an institution one of deadly hostility
to the best interests of the country, dan
cerous to our republican institutions and
the liberties of the people, and calculated
to place the business of the country within
the control of q concentrated money pow
er, and above the laws and the will of the
people; and that the results of the Demo-
cratic legislation in this and all other
financial measures upon which issues have
been made between the two political par
ties of the country, have demonstrated to
candid and practical men of all parties,
their %soundness, safety and utility in all
business pursuits.
s. That the separation of the moneys
OF the Government from banking ihstitu-
tioas is indispensable for the safety of the
funds of the Government and the rights Of
the people.
8. That We are decidedly opposed to
taking from the President the qualified
veto power, by which he is enabled, under
restrictions and responsibilities amply
sufficient to guard the public interests, to
suspend the passage of u bill whose merits
cannot secure the approval of two-thirds
of the Senate and House Of Represents
tivcs, until the Judgment of the people
can be obtained thereon, and which has
saved the American people from the cor
rupt and tyranical domination of the Bank
of the United States, and from q corrupt
ing system of general internal improve
ments.
10. Thatthc liberal principles embodied
by Jefferson in the Declaration of Indepen-
dence, and sanctioned in the Constitution,
which makes ours the land of liberty and
the asylum of the oppressed of every ma
ton. have ever been cardinal principles
in the Democratic faith, and every attempt
10 abridge the privilege of becoming cit
liens and the owners of soil among us,
ought to be resisted with the same spirit
which swept the alien and sedition laws
from our statute books.
And WHEREAS, Since the foregoing
declaration was INFORMALLY adopted by
our predecessors in National Conventions,
an adverse political and religious test has
been secretly organized by a party claim
ing to he exclusively American, it is pro-
per that the American Democracy should
clearly define its relations thereto, and
declare its determined opposition to all
,.,l;.;o,1 ,oo:,t;a, In u,I,otayar no !, a