Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-06-21
Democratic Platform

cy plaee their trust in the Intelligence, the
patriotism and the discriminating justice OF
the American people. as-s
Resolved, That we regard this as dis.
tnctive feature Of our creed which tYe are
great element in form Of government
sprnging from and upheld by popular
will; and we contrast it with the creed and
practice of Federalism, under whatever
name or form, which seeks to palsy the
constituent, and witch conceives no im-
posture too monsttous for the popular cree
duly.
Resolved, Therefore, That entertaining
these views, the Democratic party Of the
Union, through their delegates assembled
in general convention Of the States, con-
yening together in spirit Of coheord, OF
devotion to The doctrines and faith ca tree
representative government, and appealing
20 tileif fellow citizens fer the rec titude of
their intentions, renew and re-assert be-
fore the American people the declaration
of principles avowed by them, when, =
former occasions, in general convention,
they presented their candidates fer the
popular sullrages.
|. That tae federal government is one
OF limited powers, derived solely from the
Constitution, and grants oil power made
therein ought to be strictly construed by
all the departments and agents of the gov.
eminent: and that it is inexpedipnt ard
dangerous to exercise doubtful constitutional
power7.
2. That the constitution does not con-
fer upon the genera! government the pow
er to commence and carry on a general
system q internal improvements.
g. That the Constitution does not confer
authority upon the federal government, die
rect.y or indirectly, to assume the debts OF
the several States. contracted Tor local In-
terllal improvements, or other State par-
poses, nor would such, assumption De just
or expedient. ~ 70 ,-.se.=z-zz-r
4, Thatjnstiee and sound policy forbid the
federal government to foster one branch Of
industry to the de:Iiment of any other, Or
to chesish theinterests ef one portion to
the injury of another portion Of our COM
mon country; that every citizen and eve
~ section of the countr, has right to de
mand and Insist upon an equality ofrights
and pri7il eyes and complete ana ample
protection OF persons and property from do
mestle violence and foreign aggression.
8. / lat it it the duty of every branch
of the Government to enforce and practice
the most rigid economy in conducting or
public affairs, and that no more revenue
ought to be raised than is required to de-
fray the necessary expen ses of the Gov
eminent. and for gradual but certain ex
tinctiop OF the public debt
8. That Congress has no power to char
ter a National Bank; thar we blieve such
an institution one of deadly hostility to The
best interest of our county, dangerous
to our republican Institutions and the lib
critics Of the people. aud calculated TO place
the country within the concentrated mon
ey power, and above the LAYS and will of
the people ; ard that the results of Demo.
cratic legislation in this and all other ;lnan-
cial measures upon which issues have
been made between the two political par
ties oil the country, have demonstrated to
practical men of all parties their sound
ness, safety and utility in all business pur-
| suits. .tz.= h-a =-ll
7. That the separation OF the moneys OF
the Government from all banking ihSttu-
tons IS indispensable for the safety of the
funds of the Government aud the rights OF
the people. 81
5. That the liberal principles embodied
by Jeffrson in the Declaration of Indepen-
dence, and sanctioned in the Constitution,
which makes ours the land Of liberty, and
the asylum oithe oppressed Of every ma
ton, have ever been cardinal principles in
the Democratic faith, and every attempt 10
aHidge the privilege ot Becoming citizens
and owners of ssh among rs ought to obe
resisted with the same spirit which sweep.
the alien and seGiton laws from ouI statute
book,
8. That Congress has no power under
the Constitution to interfere with or cons
troll the domestic Institutions OF the several
States, and that all such States are the sole
aud proper Judges OF everything appertain.
ing to their own affairs not prohibited by
the Constitution that all efforts Of the
abolitonlsls or others made 10 induce Con
/ gfess to interfere with questions o. slavery
or to take incipieut steps in relation there
to, are calculated 10 lead totbe most alarm.
ing and dangerous Consequences, and that
all such efforts have an Inevitable tenden-
cy 10 diminish the happ,uess Of the people
and enaanser the stability and permanei,cy
fofthe Union, and ought not to be counte :
naneed b, amy friend OF our political insti-
tutlons. $50 s}H347-4a .fg =5ss affs#a5 20
I Resolved, That The foregoing trloposi-
tion covers and was intended to embrace
The whole subject of slavery agitation in
Congress and therefore the Democratic
pars OF the Union, standing on tins nation
al platform, will abide by and adhere to a
laithial execution of the acts known as
the compromise measures settled by Con-
gress, the act Tor reclaiming fugitvrs from
service or labor included which act being
designed to carry outans express provision
OF the Ccntsitut,on, cann,i, with fidelity
thereto. be repealed, or so changed as to
destroy or impair lis efficiency. tf
Resolved That the Democratic party
will resist all attempts at renewing in Con.
gress, OF out OF it, the agitation of the sa-
very question, under whatever shape or
color the attempt may be made. gs.s
Resolved. That ibe proceeds of the
public lands oush s'ereaIy applied
10 the national OBJ recfied in the Cou-
stitution, and thatWe ale opposed to any
law tor the distribution O.: such proceeds
among the staes, as alike inexpedieut I'M
policy and repugnant to the Constitution.