The Placer herald., 1856-07-05
Proceedings of the National DEM
ocratic Convention.


the appointment of the committee ON Credentials,
Organization. Platform and Resolutions, the Con-
vention adjourned for the day. The following
named Delegates from California were appointed
on these Commitees-Hon. j. l.. Brent, Commit
tee on Credentials; Hon. p C. Rust, on Organl-
zation, and Hon. S. W. Inge, Committee on Plat
form. During the first days session, the benton
contestant delegates from Missouri, to whom tick
cts of admission had been refused-torcibly broke
into the Convention and took their seats they
agreed to abide the decision of the Convention
and shortly after withdrew in body.
SECOND DAY-Tuesday, June Sd.
John L. Dawson, from the Committee on Per-
manent Organization, reported, for PRESIDENT
John E. Ward, of Georgia, thirty Vice Presidents
and thirty-one Secretaries.
The announcement of the name of Mr.. Ward for
President was received with applause. and the
report of the Committee, on motion OF Mr. ROCK
hill, was unanimously adopted
The Committee on Organization further report
ed in favor of the adoption of the rule of the last
National Democratic Convention, as the rules OF
this Convention.
1t was then announced. amidst great rejoicing
that the Democrats had elected their candidate
for Mayor and Councilmcn in Washington City.
Mr.. Bayard of Delaware, from the Committee
on Credentials, reported on the contested Missouri
seat case, admitting the anti-Benton delegates.
THIRD DAY-W Wednesday, June 4.
The Committee on resolutions made up their
report this morning. The Baltimore platform of
1852 is substantially re affirmed, with additions
as follows--
AND WHEREAS, Since the foregoing declaration
was uniformly adopted by our predecessors III
National Conventions, an adverse political and re-
ligous test has been secretly organized by party
claiming to be exclusively Americans. and it is
proper that the American Democracy should
clearly define its relations thereto; Therefore,
Resolved. That the foundation of this Union of
States having been laid in its prosperity, eXpan-
sion and pre-emncnt example OF free government
built upon entire freedom in matters OF religious
concern, and no respect of persons III regard to
rank or place of birth, no party can justly be
deemed NATIONAL constitutional, or in accordance
with American principles. which bases its eXclu-
sive organization upon religious opinions and ac-
cdcntal birthplace.
That we reiterate with renewed energy of pur-
pose the well considered declarations of former
Conventions upon the issue of domestic slavery
and concerning the reserved rights of the States
and that we may more distinctly meet the issue
on which sectional party. subsisting exclusively
on Slavery agitation, now relies to test the lidel
ty Of the people, North and South, to the Con-
sttution and the Union
Resolped, That claiming fellowship with, and
desiring the cooperation Of all who regard the
preservation of the Union, under the Constitution,
as the paramount issue. and repudiating all sec
tional parties and platforms concerning domestic
Slavery, which seek to embrol the States and in
cite to treason and armed resistance to law in the
Territories, and whose avoWed purposes, if con-
summated, must end in civil and disunion
the American Democracy recognize and adopt the
principles contained in the organic laws establish
ing the Territories of Kansas and Nebraska. as
embodyng the only sound and safe solution of the
Slavery question upon which the great national
ideas of the people of this whole country can re-
pose in its determined conservatism of the Union:
non-intervention by Congress with Slavery in
States and Territories that this was the basis of
- bath
Democratic and Wing parties in National Conven-
tions, ratified by the people in the election of
1852. and rightly applied to the organization of
Territories and the admission Of new States, with
without domestic Slavery, as they may elect,
the equal rights of all the States will be preServ
ed intact. the original compacts of the Constitu-
ton maintained inviOate. and the pcrpetuation
and expansion of this Union insured to Its utmost
capacity OF embracing, in peace and harmony
every future American State that may be con-
stiuted or annexed with a Republican form of
government.
Resolved, That we recognize the right of the
people Of all the Territories, including Kansas
and Nebraska acting through the fairly expressed
will Of the majority Of actual residents, and when
ever the number Of their inhabitants justiies it.
to form a Constitution with or without domestic
Slavery, and be admitted into the Union upon
terms of perfect equality with the other States.
Resoired, That the Democratic party recognize
the great Importance, in political and CONNER
cal point Of view, of safe and speedy cOmmuni-
cation within our own Territory. between the
Atlantic and Pacific coasts OF this Union; and it is
the duty Of the Federal Government to exercise
promptly all its constitutional powers for the at
tainment of that object
Res0ired, finally. That the condition Of popu-
lar institutions in the old world, and the danger
Gus tendencies to sectional agitation. combined
with the attempt to enforce civil and religious
disabilities against the rights OF acquiring and
enjoying citizenship in our land, high and sd
cred duty has devolved, with increased response
bility, upon the Democratic Party Of this country
as the party of the Union, to uphold and maintain
the lights of every State and thereby the union
of the States, and to sustain the advance among
us Of constitutional liberty, by continuing to re-
sst all monOpoles, and exclusive legislation for
the benefit Of the few at the expense OF the many,
and by vigilant and constant adherence to those
principles and compromises of the Constitution,
which are broad and strong enough to embrace
and uphold the Union as it was and the Union as
it shall be, in the full expansion Of the energies
and capacity of this great and progressive people.
The following are the resolutions upon the for
eign policy of the country.
|. Resolved. That the questions connected with
the foreign policy of the country are inferior to
no domestic question whatever. The time has
come for the people of the United States to de-
clare themselves in favor of free and pro-
gressive free trade throughout the world, and by
solemn manifestations place their moral influence
by the side of their successful example.
3. Resolved, That our geographical and polit-
ical position in reference to the other states on
this continent, no less than the interest on
commerce and the developement of our growing
powers, requires that we hold sacred the princi-
pies involved in the Monroe doctrine, and their
binding import which admits of no misconstruc
tion. and should be applied with unbending rigid
ity.
3. Resolved, That which the great highway
Nature, well as the assent of the States most
Immediately interested in its maintenance has
marked out for free communication between the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans-conSttutes one Of the
most important achievements realized by the
spirit of modern times and the unconquerable
ergy of our pcople-that result should be secured
by the timely. efficient exerton and control with
the nnvnrnmnnts of the Statns within Whnsn do