Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1856-06-26
PLATFORM.

This Convention of Del gates, having
assembled in pursuance ola call addressed
to the people of United States, without re.
gard to past political differences or divis-
lons-who are opposed 10 the repeal OF the
Missouri Compromise, to the policy of the
present administration, to the extension OF
slavery into free Territory; in favor of the
admission OF Kansas; of restoring the ac-
ton of the Federal Government to the
principles of Washington and jefferson,
and for the purpose of presenting candi-
dates for the offices of president and Vice
President; therefore,
Resol0ed, That the maintenance Of the
principles promulgated in the Declaration
OF Independence, and embodied in the
Federal Government. are essential to the
preservation OF our republican institutions,
and the Federal Constitution, the rights oil
the States, and the union of the States,
must and shall be preserved.
Resolaea, That with our republican IA
theirs we hold it to be self-evident truth
that all men are endowed with the lnalien-
able right to liberty and tie pursuits of
happiness, and that the primary object and
ulierior design of our Federal Government
were tc secure these lights to all persons
within It's exclusive Jurisdiction. That as
our republican fathers when the had abol-
ished slavery in all our national territory,
ordained that no person shall be deprived
OF lite, liberty or property without due
process of law, it becomes our duty to
maintain this provision of the Constitution
against all attempts TO violate it, for the
purpose of establishing slavery in the Uni
ted States by positive legislation, prohibit
Its eXtense or extension therein. That we
lleny the authority Of Congress, of Ter
rltorial Legislation of any individual or
as oclalion of Individuals to give esal as
slstance to slavery in any territory of the
United States, while the present Cons;itu-
ton shall be maintained.
Resotoed, That the Constitution confers
upon Congress sovereign power over the
Territories Of the United States for their
government, and that in the exercise of
this power, it is the right and duty Of Con
gres5 to prohibit in the territories. those
twin relics of barbarism, Polygamy and
slavery.
Resolced, That while the Constitution
of the United Sta.es, has ordained and es-
tablished by the people, in order to form
more perfect Union, establish justice, en-
sure domestic tranquility, provide for the
common defense, promote the general well
fare, and secure the blessings of liberty,
and contains ample provisions for the pro-
lection of the life, liberty and property of
every citizen; the dearest constitutional
rights of the pesele of Kansas have been
iraudulently and Violently taken from them
their territory has been invaded byan arm
ed force, spurious and pretended leyisla-
tive, Judicial and cxecu,ise officers have
beef set over them, by whose usurped au-
thori.y, sustained by the military power
of the government, tyranical and unconsti-
tutional laws have, been enacted and en-
forced, the right of the people to keep and
bear arms has been infringed, test oatlls
OF an extraordinary and enlangling nature
have been imposed as a condition of excr-
cising the right of suffrage and holding
office, the right of an accused person to "a
speedy and public trial by and impartial
jury has been denied, the right of the peo-
pie to be secure in their persons, houses.
papers and effects, against unreasonable
search and seizure has been violated, and
they have been deprived oflife, liberty and
property, without due process of law. the
press has been abridged, the hight to
choose their own representatives has been
n,odo NO offo.t MUNDANE ~ bo,;o. oil 49,.
son has bcep insti gated and encouraged,
and the offenders have been allowed to 90
unpunished, that all these things have been
done with the knowledg e sanction and pro-
curement of the present administration,
and that for the high crime against the Con-
stitution, the Union, and humanity, we ar
raign that administration, he President,
his advisers, agents, supporters, apologists
and accessories, either before or after the
facts. before the country and before the
world, and that l. is our fixed purpose TO
bring the actual perpetrators of these afro
cious outrages and their accomplices to a
sure and condign punishment hereafter
Rcsolred, Thai Kansas should be al
mittcd as State into the Union, with her
paesept demonstration, as at once the
most eifectual way of securing to her cit,
izens the enjoyment of the rights and priv
ileges to which they are entitled and of
ending the civil strife now raging in that
territory.
Resolced, That the highwayman's plea,
that might makes right, embodied in the
Ostend circular, was in every respect un-
worthy of American diplomacy, and would
bring shame and dishonor upon any gov
eminent or people that gave it their sane
ton.
Resolyed, That a railroad TO the Poetic
Ocean by the most central practicable route
is imperatively demanded by the interests
of the whole country, and that the FEEDER
al Government ought to render immediate
and efficient aid TO its construction, and as
an auxiliary thereto, the immediate con-
struction of an emigrant road on the line
Of the railroad,
Resolved, That appropriations by Con-
gress, for the improv -ment of rivers and
harbors, of national character required
for the accommodation and security of our
existing commerce. are authorized by the
constitution and iustified nv the obli.ra-