Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1856-07-04
EsUEs ELLINGTON
FRIDAY MORNING, JULY 4, 1856
The Democratic Buchaneer) Platform.

The Democratic (Buchaneer) Platform,
w here can | find the tcholc Democratic
Platform !" This question has been put to
us repeatedly within few days We show
cd our readers the most important parts OF it
two weeks ago, but we have determined to
set the concern up entire for their inspection.
As the administration papers of this State,
without exception, have omitted considera-
Bile portion of it, (and we believe those of
other States also, in great measure) the
whole creature is a rarity. We hope our
readers will keep it. We shall make a few
brief notes about it, just sufficient to draw
attention to the sort of stuff it is made Of
No pile of food wood ever contained greater
variety of materials, ,-some old some new, some
sound and much that is rotten. We cannot
classify it according to these several qualities,
contuscdly mixed together as they are. We
must take it as it comes. For the conven-
ience of our readers, we divide the subject in
to chapters, and in each one our remarks will
be numbered to correspond with the several
resolutions.
Platform Of the Nations, Democratic Convention
CHAPTER I.-OLD TIMBER.
Resolved, That the American democracy
place their trust in the intelligence, the pa
triotism, and the discriminating justice of the
American people.
hcsolrcd, That we regard this as distinc-
tive feature of our political creed, which we
are proud to maintain before the world rs
the great moral element in a form of govern
ment springing from and upheld by the popu-
lar will; and we contrast it with the creed
and practice of federalism, under whatever
name or form. which seeks to palsy the will
of the constituent, and which conceives no
imposture too monstrous for the popular Gre
dulity.
Resolved, therefore, That. entertaining
these views the democratic party of this
Union, through their delegates assembled in
a general convention, coming togeter
in spirit of concord, of devotion to the
doctrines and faith of free rcpresentive
Government, and appealing to their fellow
citizens for the rectitude of their intentions,
renew and re-assert before the American
people, the declarations of principles ayowed
by them when, on former occasions, in gener-
ddates for the popular suifrages.
l. That the federal government is one Of
limited power derived solely from the Con-
stitution; and the grants ofpower made there
in ought to be strictly construed by all the
departments and agents of the government;
and that it is inezpedient and dangerous to
exercise doubtful constitutional powers.
=. That the Constitution does not confer
upon the general government the power to
commence and carry on a general system of
internal Improvements.
3. That the Constitution does not confer
authority upon the federal government, di-
recty or indirectly, to assume the debts of
the several States, contracted for local and
internal improvements, or other State pur
poses: nor would such assumption be just or
expedent.
T. That Justice and sound policy forbid the
federal government to foster one branch of
industry to the detri nent of any other, or
to cherish the interest of one portion to the
injury of another portion of our common
country; that every citizen and every section
of the country has right to demand and
insist upon an equality of rights and privi-
leges, and to complete and ample protection
of persons and property from domestic vio-
lence or foreign aggression
5. That it is the duty of every branch of
the government to enforce and practice the
most rigid economy in conducting our public
affairs, and that no more revenue ought to be
raised than is required to deiray the neces-
sary 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 constitution and tina t
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.
I. That Congress has no power to charter
national bank that we believe such an in
stitution one of deadly hostility to the best
interests of the country, dangerous to our re-
publican institutions and the liberties Of the
people, calculated to place the business of the
country within the control of concentrated
money power, and above the laws and the will
Of the people and that the results Of democra.
tic legislation in this and all other financial
measures upon which issues have been made
between the two political parties of the coun
try, have demonstrated to candid and practi
cal men of all parties, their soundness, safety
and utility, in all business pursuits.
8. That the separation of the moneys OF
the government from banking institutions i:
the government and the right Of the people
Q. That we are decidedly opposed to taking
from the President the qualified veto power
by which he is enabled, under restrictions
and responsibilities amply sufficient to guar
the public interests, to suspend the passag
| of IA bill whose merits cannot secure the ap
| prova of two thirds Of the Senate and llOus
! of Representatives, until the Judgment of tn
people can be obtained thereon, and whicl
has saved the American people from the cor
rupt and tvrannical domination of the Ban
OF the United States, and from corruptin
system Of general internal Improvements,
10. That the liberal principles embodie
| by Jefferson IN the Declaration of lndepend
ence, and sanctioned inl the Constitution ,whic
makes ours the land of liberty, and the asy
lum of the oppressed of every nation, hav
ever been cardinal principles OF the democra
tic faith, and every attempt to abrldSe tn
privilege of becoming citizens and the OWL
ers of soil among us, ought to be resiste
with the same spirit which swept the allie
and sedition laws from our statute books.
The above ten resolutions, (the intro
ductory, ones, are nothing) relate to obsolet
and forgotten subjects, or have as little rela
tion to the issues now before the people as tn
! question whether the moon Is Inhabited
They are nothing but the old stuff of tn
Democratic platform of 1852 (most of it wa
old trumpery them, and it is here set u
again, primarily to troll the sheep on to it b
the familiar look of tho old boards first
sight, and secondly to help keep up the delr
sion in the minds of the thoughtless that tt
| Democratic marty is eycryWh here and at a
times, the same in its professions and pra,
tices. Let us look at these resolutions
little.
|. Against the exercise of doubtful const
tutonal powers. So far as the words 60 Il
doctrine is a mere tru,sm. Tho practice
the democratic party in the government HI
been to plead constitutional restriction again
every thing which would favor the industl
aud fraa principIas of tho fraa stataa and