The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-06-07
Democratic Platform.

The Committee Resolutions, by their Chairman,
Mr.. HalIet, of yEassachuse tts submit the following
Report
Resolyea, That the American Democracy
place their trust in the intelligence, the patri-
otism and the discriminating justice of the
American people.
ResolUed, That we regard this as distinc-
tive feature of our political creed, which we are
proud to maintain before the world, as the
great moral element in form of government
springing from and upheld by the popular will;
and we contrast it with the creed and practice
of Federalism, under whatever name or form,
which seeks to palsy the will of the constitu-
ent, and which conceives no imposture too
monstrous for the popular credulity
ResOZUe1, therefore, That entertaining these
views, the Democratic party of this Union,
through their delegates assembled in general
Convention, coming together in a spirit of con-
cord of devotion to the doctrines and faith of
a free representative government, and appeal
ing to their fellow-citzens, for the rectitude of
their intentions, renew and reassert before the
American people the declaration Of principles
avowed by them when on former occasions, i'll
general Convention, they have presented their
candidates for the popular sufferages.
l. That the Federal Government is one of
limited power, derived solely from the Consti-
tuition; and the grants of power made therein
ought to be strictly construed by all the de-
partments and agents Of the Government; and
that it is inexpedent and dangerous to exer-
else doubtful constitutional powers.
2. That the Constitution does not confer
upon the General Government the power to
commence and carry on a general system OF
internal improvements.
8. That the Constitution does not confer
authoritory upon the Federal Government,
directly or indirectly, to assume the debts OF
the several States, contracted for local and in
ternal improvements, or other State purposes,
nor would such assumption be just or expedi
ent.
A. That justice and sound policy forbid the
Federal Government to foster one branch oil
industry to the detriment of any other; or to
cherish the interests of one portion to the in
/ jury of another portion of our common coun-
try; that every citizen and every section Of
the country has right to demand and insist
upon an equality of right and privilege, and to
complete an ample protection of persons and
property from domestic violence or foreign az
erosion.
5. 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 defray the necessary ex-
penses Of the Government, and for the gradual
but certain extinction of the public debt.
6. That the proceeds Of the public lands
ought to he sacredly applied to the national
objects specified in the Constitution; and that
we are opposed to any law for the distribution
Of such proceeds among the States, as alike
inexpedient in policy and repugnant to thl
| Constitution.
z. That Congress has no power to charter
national bank; that we believe such an nstitu
ton one of deadly hostility to the best inter
ests of the country, dangerous to our republi
can institutions and the liberties of the people
and calculated to place the business of the
country with the control of concentrated
money power, and above the laws and the will
of the people; and that the results of Demo
cratic legislation in this and all other financial
measures upon which issues have been made
between the two political parties of the coun-
Try, 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 institutions is in
Indispensable for the safety of the funds of the
Government and the rights of the people.
| 9. That we are decidedly opposed to taking
from the President the qualified veto power
| by which he is enabled, I'm Ter restrictions and
responsibilities amply sufficient to guard the
public interests, to suspend the passage of a
bill whose merits cannot secure the approval
of two-thirds of the Senate and House of Rep
resentatiyes, until the judgment of the people
can be obtained thereon, and which has saved
the American people from the corrupt and ty-
rannical domination of the Bank of the United
|
raj 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 asylum
of the oppressed of every nation, have evel
been cardinal principles in the Democratic
faith, and every attempt to abridge the priv
lege of becoming citizens and the owners O
soil among us, ought to be resisted with the
same spirit which swept the alien and seditioI
laws from our statute books.
And WHEREAS, Since the foregoing decla-
ration was uniformly adopted by our prede-
cessors in National Conventions, an adverse
political and religious test has been secretly
organized by party claiming to be exclusive
ly American, it is proper that the American
Democracy should clearly define its relations
thereto, and declare its determined opposition
to all secret political societies, by whatever
name they may be called.
ResolUed That the foundation of this unior
of States having been laid in, and It's prosper
ity, expansion, and pre-eminent example il
free government built upon entire freedom il
matters Of religious Government, and no re-
) spect Of person in regard to rank or place 0
birth; no party can justly be deemed national
constitutional, or in accordance with Ameri
can principles, which bases its exclusive or
ganization upon religious opinions and acct
dental birthplace. And hence political cru