Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1856-07-24
Democratic Slave Platform.

1dOpted at CinclRnat June 4, 1856.
And, Whereas, Since the foregoing declaration was
uniformly adopted by ours predecessors in National
an adverse political and religious test has
been secretly organized bya party claiming to be ex.
cusvely American, it is proper that the American De
mocracy should state its relations thereto, and declare
its determined opposition to all secret political societies
by whatever name they may be called.
Resolved That the foundation of this Union of States
having been laid in and its prosperity expansion and
pre- eminent example in free government built upon
entire freedom in matters of religious concernment and
respect OF persons in regard to rank or place of
pirh-no party can justly be deemed national consi
tutOna, or in accordance with american principles,
which bases its excluve organization upon religious o.
lnions and accidental birth place. And hence polL.
cal CRUSADE in the nineteenth century, and in the Uni
ted States OF America, against Catholics and foreign
oorn, is neither justified by the past history nor the
future prospects of the country in unison with the
spirit OF toeration aud enlarged freedom which peculi.
ary distinguishes the American system Unpopular gov
srnment
Resolved. That we reterate with renewed energy of
purpose, the we'll considered declarations of former
Conventions upon the sectional issues of Democratic
slavery and concerning the reserved rights of the
States: M
/. That Congress has no power un der the Consttu.
tons to Interfere with control the domestic institutions
OF the several states and that such states are the sole
and proper judges of everything Nppertaning to Their
own affairs, not prohibited by the Constitution. that
all efforts of the abotonists or others made to induce
Congress to interfere with the question Of Slavery or to
take inepent steps thereto are calculated to lead to
the most alarming and dangerous consequences; and
that all such efforts have an inevitable tendency to dir
muish the happiness Of the people, and endanger the
stability and permanency of the Union and ought not to
DO eountenaneedby any friend Of political insttu.
ttuns, -.
2. That the foregoing proposition covers, and was
intended to embrace the whole bect of slavery aga.
ton III Congress- and therefore, the Democratic party
OF the Union, standing on this national platorm.
will abide by ana adhere to faithful execution Of the
acts known as the Compromise measures settled bv
the Congress OF lS "the act for reolauine fufi ives
fom service or labor, included; which act being de-.
igned to carry OUT an express provision of the Consti
tuaoh, cannot with hdeIy thereto, be repealed or so
changed so as TO destroy or impair its efnciencv
3. That the Democratic party will resiss al atto,.
pts at renewing in congress or out of il the ootato
OF the slavery question under whatever shane or coInr
the attempt may be made
4. That che Democratic party will faithfully ab;do
by and uphold, the principles laid down in The Ken.
tucky and Virginia resolutions of l79S and in lbe 70.
port OF Madison to the Virginia Legislature, in i7gS.
that 1t ps those principles constituting one of the
main foundations OF its political creed and is resolved
to carry them cut in ther obvious meaning and mnort
And that we may more citincty me ct the ssna on
which sectional party subsstng exclusively on slav
cry agitation, relies TO test the fidelity of tb oo
pie north and SOUTH to the Constitution and the Tp;o
/. Resolved, That claiming fellowship with and
desiring the cooperation of all who regard the
vaon Of the Union under the Constitution as the mar
amount issue; drepudiatng all sectional parties and
platforms concerning domestic svery, which seek Il
embro the States and to cite to treason and armed re-
Sstance to law in the Territories and whose avowet