Plymouth weekly banner. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1856, 1856-09-04
Platform Of the National Republican Party.

This Convention of Delegates, assembled in
pursuance vfa call addressed to the people OF
the U. S. without regard to past political differ
ences or divisions who are opposed to the re-
peal 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 as Free State; restoring
the action Of the Federal Government to the
principles of Washington and Jefferson, and
for the purpose of presenting candidates for the
Offices Of President and Vice President, do.
al. Resolrd, That the maintenance of the
principles promulgated in the Declaration Of In
dependence and embodied in the Federal Con-
stitution are essential to the preservation Of
our Republican institutions, and that the Feder-
al Constitution the rights of the States, and the
union Of the States, shall be preserved.
az. Rssolred, That with our Republican ia
theirs we hold it to be a selfevident truth that
all men are endowed with unalienable rights 10
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, aud
that the primary object and Interior design Of
our Federal Government were to secure those
rights to all persons within its exclusive juris-
diction; that as our Republican fathers, when
they had abolished Slavery In all our National
Territory ordained that no person should be
deprived Of life, liberty, or property, without
due process oflaw, it becomes our duty to main
tain this provision of the Constitution against all
attempts TO violate it for the purpose of estab
fishing Slavery in the United States by positive
Legislation, prohibiting its existence exten-
sion therein. That We deny the authority Of
Congress, of Territorial Legislature, or any
individual or association of Individuals, to give
legal assistance to Slavery IN any Territory OF
the United States. while the present Constitu-
ZION shall be maintained.
s'3. Resolred, That the Constitution confrrs
upon Congress sovereign power over the Terri
tories of the U. 8. for their government, and
that in the exercise of this power it is both the
right and the duty Of Congress to prohibit in the
Territories those twin relics OF barbarism-Po-
lygamy and Slavery.
go Resolved, That while the Constitution
of the United States was ordained and estab
lshed by the people in order to form more
perfect union, establish justice, insure
domestic tranquility, provide for the common
defense, and secure the blessings OF liberty
and contains ample provisions for the protec-
ton Of life liberty, and property o: every
citizen, the dearest constitutional rights OF
the people of Kansas have been fraudulently
and violently taken from them;
Their Territory has been invaded by an arm
ed force;
Spurious and pretended Legislative, Judic-
isl, and Executive officers have been set over
them, by whose usurped authority, sustained
by the military powe rof the Government. ty-
rannicsl and unconstitutional laws have been
enacted and enforced;
The rights OF the people to keep and bear
aims have been infringed;
Test oaths of an extraordinary and entang-
ling nature have been imposed as a condition
of exercising the right of Suffrage and holding
Office; The night OF an accused person to a
speedy and pubic trial by an impartial jury
has been denied.
Tie right of the people to be secure in their
ox1 oNa nm.
pc sonablc searches & seizures has been vio-
lated;
They have been deprived of lie, liberty and
property without due process OF law;
That the freedom OF speech and the press
has been abridged;
Murders, robberies, and arsons haze been
instigated and encouraged, and the offenders
have been allowed to go UNPUBLISHED;
That all these things have been done with
the knowledge. sanction, and procurement OF
the present Admin istration. and that tor this
high crime against the Constitution, the Union.
and humanity, we arraign that Administration,
the President his advisers. agents, supporters,
apoloeists and accessories either before or
after the facts-before the country and before
the world; and that it is our fixed purpose to
bring the actual perpetrators Of these atrocious
outrapes, and their acconplices, to sure and
condign punishment hereafter.
sso. Resotued, That Kansas should De Imme-
diately admitted as a State Of the Union, with
her present Free Constitution, as at once the
most effectual way of securing to her citizens
the enjoyment of the rights and privileges to
which they are entitled and OF ending the
civil strife now raging in her Territory.
s.. "Resotsed, That the highwayman's plea
that "might makes right" embodied in the
Ostend Circular, was in e-ery respect uu wor-
thy of American diplomacy, and would bring
shame and dishonor Upon any Government OF
people that gave II their sanction.
Z. "Resolpsd. That q Railroad to the Pacific
Ocean by the most central and practical route
is imperatively demanded by the interests OF
> the whole country, and that the Federal Gov
eminent ought to render immediate and CT
fcient aid in its construction. and as an auxil-
larry thereto, the immediate constitution Of an
emigrant route on the line of the railroad.
q. "Ressised, That appropriations by Con-
Ryess for the improvement Of Il vers and barbors
OF national character, required for the acc
commodstiou and security of cur exIstin-
commerce, are authorized by the Constitution
and justified By the obligation of Government
to p1pteet the ligss and property OF Its citl-
.. sRecslsed That we invite the utilization
a,a 60 sutton Ct the men Of all parties, how
ever 4sFing from rs in other respects IN sup
pom pfohe psinciples herein declared and be.
fiseiSx4kni - spirit Of our institutions as wei
- lne oouDtbufion of our country guarantees
fbar<y a conscience and equality Of r1ghfi
Dnssg eitizezs. We oppose all legislation an
psiriay theiF security