Star of the Kanawha Valley. [volume] (Buffalo, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1856, 1856-09-03
Democrats Rational Platform.

"a
~ the Cincinnati Convention:
Rssolsed, That the Americas Democ-
racy place their trust in the intelligenee.
the patriotism and the discriminating
ustice Of the American people.
I ResolUed, That we regard this as q
distinctive feature Of our political creed,
which we are proud to maintain before
tho world, as the great moral element in
form Of government springing from and
upheld by the popular will and we con
trast it with the creed and practice Of
Federalism, under whatever name or
form, which seeks to palsy the viii of
the constituent, and which conceives no
inppsture too monstrous for the popular
credulity. III
Resoiped, therefore,, That, entertaining
these views, the Democratic party Of this
Union, through their delegates assembled
in general, Convention. coming togeth
or ia spirit of concord, Of devotion to
the doctrines and filth Of a free represen-
tative government, and appealing to their
fellew-citizens for the rectitude of their
intentions, renew and reassert before the
] American peoplethe declarations Of prin-
ciples avowed by them when on former
occasions, ID general Convention, they
have presented their candidates for pop
ular SURFACES.
1. That the Federal Government is
one Of limited power. derived solely. from
the Constitution; and the grants ofpower
made therein ought TO be strictly con-
strued by all the departments and agents
Of the Government; and that it ID mex
pedient and dangerous TO exercise doubt
full constitutional powers.
e. That the Constitution does not con-
fer upon the General Government the
power to commence and carry on q gem
eral system of internal improvements.
/. 5. That the Constitution does not con
fer authority upbn the Federal Govern.
ment, directly or indirectly, to assume
the debts Of the several States, contract
cd for local and internal improvements,
or other State purposes, nor would such
assumption. be just or expedient.,
Il 4. That justice and sound policy for
bid the Federal Governmental foster one
branch of industry to the detriment Of
any other, or to cherish the interests Of
one portion to the injury of another por-
ton of our common country that every
citizen and every section of the, country
has a rightto 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.
s.. That it is the duty of every branch |
Of the Government to enforce and prac- /
tice the most rigid economy in conduct
ing our public affairs, and tina. no more
revenue ought to be raised than is re-
quired to. defray the necessary expenses
Of the Government, and for the gradual
but certain extinction Of the public debt.
6. That the proceeds of the public
lands ought to be sacredly applied to the
national objects specified in the Consti-
tuition 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 the Constitution.
h 4. That Congress has no power to
charter national bank; that we believe
such an institution oneof deadly HOSTILE
ty TO the best interests of the country, +
dangerous, to our public institutions and
theliberties of the people, and calculated
to place the business Of the:country with
il the control Of "a concentrated money +
power, and above the laws and the will of
the people and that the results of Dem
ocratie legislation in this and all other
financial measures upon which issues
have been made between the two politi-
cal parties of the country, have demon
strated to candid and practical men of all
parties, their soundness, safety and utili-
u in all business pursuits. - I,
8. That the separation of the moneys
Of the Government from! banking institu- !.
tons is indispensable for the salty of the
funds of the Government and the rights
Of the people. rHs
9. That we are decidedly opposed to ,
taking from the President the qualified
veto power, by which he is enabled, un-
restrictions and responsibilities amply
sufficient to guard the public interests, to !
suspend the passage of bill whose mer- :.
its cannot secure the approval Of two !
thirds of the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatiyes, until the judgment Of the peo-
pie can be obtained thereon, and which !:
has saved the American people from the /.
corrupt and tyranical domination of the
Bank of the United States, and from !
corrupting system Of general internal inn J
proyements.
10. That the liberal principles embo-
died by Jefferson in the Declaration oft :
Independence, and sanctioned in theg
Constitution, which makes ours the land
Of liberty and the asylum of the Cypress
ed Of every nation, have ever been cardi-
nal principles in the Democratic faith,
and every attempt to abridge the priv
lego Of becoming citizens 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. 81 n
And whereas, Since the foregoing dec3l
laration was uniformity adopted by our ,
predecessors in National. Conventions,
an adverse political and religious test has