The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-06-21


the rights Of those over whom float the stars
and stripes. Is it two thousand miles away?
Tomorrow it NAV he your own son. your own
brother who is assaulted on American soil,
by American citizens, under protection of
Lar Will YOU cling to the rotten planks
of broken and useless platforms whiring on
a dangerous deep. when there is safe, sound
ship which demands your aid?
IF not, remember how all grievances
are rcdressed in representative govern
ment
THE PRO-SLAvERY PLATFORM.
Never were two things more fifty Joined
than Mr.. Buchanan and the miscaIlcd demo-
cratic platform. Both are exact opponents
of the party they represent. II is not alto
gcthcr easy to determine the character Of the
one from his professions, nor define the ex-
act mcanin. of the other from its assertions
We have had so much experience of both
that we can have no confidence in either. -
The platform can be tortured 10 mean little
or much as circumstances NAV require. -
With the light Of experience, however. to
guide us. we can be at no loss to understand
at least one thin. from the fulIowin" resolu-
tons. viz that the pro->lavery democratic
party !. responsible for all the slavery acita-
ton OF the last few wears. and although dep
recatlnC such agitation in terms. IN re-
alitv. r.jniring in the fruits it has produced S:
ard that It's course hereafter is to be even
more devoted 10 II. Interests OF Slavery, a,
the risk OF whatever outrage upon the rights
of the tree States. and OF d,l ger to the ma
ton.
! We copy so much Of the platform as relates
to slavery and the condition OF Kansas -
/ Rc>ol,ed. That We reitcra'e with renewed
energy OF purpose. the wrllcon>idrred dee
laratIonS OF former conventions upon the SEC
,ioual issue OF domestic slavery. and concern
ing the reserved ri.htS OF the State.
l. That Congress has no power under the
= COn>tItution to interfere with OF control the
domestic institutions of the several States.
winch are the roper Judges OF every thing
apprrtaluinG 20 their own affairs. not prohb-
FED h> thr Constitution; thai all efforts al
the AtO.itI0ni>tS or others. made 10 induce
Congress to interfere with questions OF sla-
vcrv or TO take incipicnt steps IN relation
81. nj. Il ,..I |. 81
farming and dangerous consequences and
that all >urh Efforts have An inevitable ten
denrv To diminish the happiness Of The prO
pie, and endanccr the stability and pcrma
nency of the Union. and ought not to be
rountcnanrci bv any friend of our political
institutions.
,. That the foregoing proposition covers
and was intended 10 embrace the whole sub
jrct OF slavery agitation in Congress: and
therefore, the Democratic party OF the MON
standing on this national platform, will abide
bv and adhere to faithful execution Of the
acts known rs The compromise measures. set
tied hv the Congress of 1850; 1.-THE act for
recawninC turlt,ve> from service or labor.
included which act beng designed to car.
nv out an express provision OF the Con>titu
ton, cannot. with fidelity thereto be repeal
ed, or 50 changed as to destroy or impair il.
el!irirncs
g. That the Democratic party will reSiS,
ak attempts at r. ncwing. in Congress or out
OF it the agitation of the slavery question I'M
der whatever shape or color the attempt ma,
be MADE
J. That the Democratic party will faithful
" abide bv and uphold the principles laid
down in the Kentucky and Virginia rcsolu
tons of 1os. and in the report of Mr. Madl
son to the Virginia Lc.i stature. in 1899; thai
it adopts those principles as constituting on,
of the main foundations Of its political creed
and is resolved to carry them out in their ob
vions meaning and import
And that NAV more distinctly meet III,
Issue on which sector al party. suhSStne
exclusively on slavery agitation. now relie,
to test the fiji. lily OF the people. North anc
South. to the Constitution and the Union
i. Rcso'rcd. That claiming fellowship witt
and desiring the co operation OF all who re
gard the preservation OF the Union under
the constitution as the paramount issue nC
r reputliarin. all sectional parties and platform:
: concerning domestic slavery which seek tc
embroi the States and incite tc treason and
armed resistance to law in the territories -
and whose avowcd purposes. If consumnated
must end in civil war aud di>un0n-the a
: mtrican democracy recognize and adoyt the
principles contained in the organic laws es
tablishing the territories of Kansas and Ne
hra>ka as embodying the only sound and sat.
: solution ofthe SLAVERY question" upon which
IL. Al of IL, Of ri
whole country can repose in its determined
conservatism of the Union-NoN- INTERFER
ENCE EY CONGRESS WITH SLAVERY IN
STATE AND TERRITORY, OR IN THE DIS
| TRICr OF COLUMBIA.
=. That this was the basis OF the Compro-
mise Of ls50-confirmed by both the Nrmo
cratic and Wing parties in national convrn
J tions-ratifed ty the people in the election
| of 1852, and applied to the organization of
Territories in 1854.
8. That by the uniform application of thi,
Democratic principle to the organization of
; Territories. and to the admission of new
States, with or without domestic Slavery, a.
they may elect-the equal rights OF all the
States will be- preserved intact-the original
compacts Of the Constitution maintained in
violate-and the perpetui.y and expansion
of this Union insured to its utmost capacity
, Of embracing, in harmony, every future A.
merican State that may be constituted or an
nexed, with Republican form Of Govern.
ment.
; Resolred, That we recognize The right Of
the people Of all the Territories, including
Kansas and Nebraska. acting through the lie.
galiy and fairly expressed will Of a majority
Of actual residents. and. whenever the NUN
her Of their inhabitants justified it, TO form a