Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-09-03
FOR SLAVERY.
BUCHANAN PLATFORM.

The Cincinn.:i Convention, Of Jn:e, 1856, which
nominated James Buchanan for the Presidency, after
retersting the Pierce Baltimore Platform" Of 1854
which repudia,ed 'River and Haroor Improvements,
National Bank distribution of the proceeds OF the
public lands &C. &C.. adopted the foilowing, in sd-
dition, as the Buchanan Platform;
wHEREIs Since the foregoing declaration was uni
formly adopted by our predecessors in National Con
rentions an adverse political and religious test has
heen secretly organized by party claiming to be ex
cusirely Americans, and it is proper that the Ameri
can Democracy should clearly define its relations there
to- declare its determined opposition to all secret
political societies. by whatever name they may be call
ed:
Resolved That the foundation CT this Union OF states
having been laid prosperity, expansion and pre-
eminent example in free government built upon entire
freedom in matters OF and respect
Of persons in regard rank place of birth, party
can Justly deemed national constitutional, or in &C
eordance with American principles, which bases its
exclusive organization upon religious opinions and
accidental birthplace And hence political crusade
in the nineteenth century, and in the United States of
America against Catholics and foregn-born is neither
justified by past history the future prospects Of
the country is in unison with the spirit of toler
tion and enlarged freedom which peculiarly distin
guishes the American system of popular government
Resolved. That we relterate renewed energy OF
purpose the weIconsidered declaration of former
ventions upon the sectional issue OF domestic slavery
and erning the ed rights Of the States.
Resolved. That Congress has no power, under the
constitution interfere with control the domestic
institutions the several States, and that such States
are the sole and proper judges Of everything apPeran
ing to their affairs, not prohibited by the const
tuition that all efforts CT the aboliiioHists others
made induce Congress interfere with questions OF
slavery, take incpent steps in relation thereto,
are calculated to lead the most alarming and dan
gerous consequedces; ard that all such efforts have an
inevitable tendency diminish the happiness of the
people and endanger the stability and lermanency OF
the Union, and ought to he countenanced by any
friend OF our political institutions.
Resolved, That the foregoing proposition and
was intended to embrace the whole subject OF slavery
agitation in Congress- and therefore, the Democratic
party OF the UniOn standing this national PLATFORM
will abide by and adhere fithfu execution of the
the compromise measures, settled by the
Congress of 1885, .tAe act for recaimng fugves from
service or lat or included; which being designed
to carry express provision Of the constitution
cannot with fidelity thereto, be repealed, or so chan
-ged a. impair destroy its efficacy.
Resolved, That the Democratic party will resist Il
attempts renewing Congress ont Of At, the ag
taion Of the slavery question, under whatever shape
or color the attempt may be made
Resolved That the Democratic party will faithfully
abide by and uphold the principles laid down in the
Kentucky and Virginia resolutions Of I79s and in the
report OF Mr.. Madison The Virginia Legislature, in
100; that II adopts those PRINCIPLES constituting
of the main foundations of its political creed and
Is resolved to carry them in their obvious meaning
and import.
AMI thatse may more distinctly meet the issue on
which sectional party, subsistng IcIusiveIy sla
very agitation, relies to test the fidelity Of the peo
ple North and South the constitution the
Resolyed That claiming fIlovship with and desir
ing the cooperation of all WIN regard the preservation
of the Union. under the Constitution the paramount
issue and repudating all sectional parties and plat
forms concerning domestic slavery which seek to
hrnl the States and ince treason and armed resist
law in the Territories, and whose avoWed pur
poses, IL cnnsumnated, must end in civil var and dis
union, the American Democracy recognize and adopt
the principles contained in the laws csabIisi
ing the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, embo
dying the only sound and safe solution Ct the slavery
question upon which the great national idea the peo
pie Of this whole country repose in its determined
conservatism OF the Union, and non-interference by
Congress With slavery in the Territories or in the Dis
trict Of Columbia.
Resolved, That this the basis of the Compromise
Of Is50-con6rmed by 10th the Democratic and Wing
parties in national lconyentions-ratfed by the people
in the election of l552-and rgfuliy appl to the
organization of Territories in 1854.
Resolved. That by the uniform application o. this
democratic the
and to the admission Of States, with without do
mestic slavery, they may electhe equal rights of
all tbs States will be preserved intactthe original
compacts Of the constitution maintained nTiosteand
the perpeuy and the expansion OF the Union ncreas
ed to its utmost capacity of embracing. in peace and
harmony. every future American State that may he
stituted or annexed with republican form Of Govern
nent-
Resolved, That recognize the right Of the people
Of al the Territories nclnding Kansas and Nebraska
acting through the legally and fairly expressed Will
of the majority Of actual residents; and whenever the
number Of their inhabitants justifes it, to form con-
stitution with or without domestic slavery, and he ad-
itted into the Union upon OF perfect equality
with the other States.
Resolved finally, That in view of the condition Of
popular institutions in the Old World land the danger
tendencies Of sectional agitation. combined with
the attempt enforce civil and religious disabilities
against the rights Of acquiring aud enjoying ctize-
ship. in own land.1 high and sacred duty is de-
volved with increased responsibility upon the Demo
cratic party Of this country the party Of the Union
90 uphold and maintain the rights of State,
thereby the Union the States; sustain and ad
among constitutional liberty. by continuing
to resist all monopoies and exclusive legislation for
the benefit Of the few at the expense Of the many, and
by vgant and constant adherence to those principles
and compromises Of the constitution which broad
enough and strong enough to embrace and uphold the
Union as it was. the Union it is. and the Union
1t shall be- in the full expansion of the energies and
capacity of this great and progressive people.
Resolved. That there are questions connected with
the foreign policy OF this country which are inferior
domestic question whatever. The time has come
for the people Of the United States declare them
throughout the world and, y solemn manifestations
tn place their moral influence the side OF sue
eessful example.
Resolved. That geographical and political posi-
Hon with reference the other States this continent
no less than the interest OF and the de
Teopment OF our growing power requires that we
should hold sacred the principles involved in the
Monroe Doctrine, their bearing and import admit OF
no misconstruction; they should be applied with
bending rigidity.
Resolved, That the great highway which nature as
we'll the assent Of the States most Immediately in
terested in its maintenance has marked out for free
constitutes of the most important achievements
allied by the spirit Of modern times the uncsn
querahe energy OF our people That result should he
secured by timely and efficient exertion OF the con
troll which have the right claim it. and no
power earth should he suffered to impede clog
progress By any interference which the relations it
may suit our policy to establish betWeen govern
ment aud the government Of the States within whose
dominion il lies. We can, under no circumstances,
surrender our preponderance in tie adjustment of all
questions arising out Of it.
Resolved, That in view OF so comma nIin- an inter
est the people Of the I'm ted States but sympa
thize with the efforts which being by the peo
pie Of Central America to regenerate that portion Of
the continent which covers the passage the in
ter-ocesn Isthmus.
Resolved, That the Administration of franklin Pierce
has been true to Democratic principles and therefore
true TO the great interests Of the country the
violent opposition he has mai uained the Law home
and vindcaed the rights of American citizens abroad
aud therefore. we proclaim unqualified admiration
OF his measuI es and policy.
Resolved, That the Democratic party will expect of
the next administration that every proper effort he
aud to maintain permanent protection the great
OUTFITS through which emtied its waters the
products raised of the soil and the commodities
created by the industry OF the people Of ouT stern
Valleys and Of the UHicn at large |