Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1856-01-17

the measures and policy which they APP
prove, and wish to be executed in the adj
ministration of their government.
Resolped, That the Democratic party of
the State, here in convention assembled,
conformity with established usage. and
with firm reliance on the virtue and in
telligence of the people, submit the follow
ing declaration of principles.
I've approve the principles of the
compromise measures of 1850, and their
application as embodied in the Kansas Ne
brasba bill, and will faithfully maintain
them.
Eve recognize the great body Of the
people as the only tribunal for the decision
of questions affecting their government,
both rs to men and measures; and appeals
to their reason and patriotism as the legit
innate means of influencing their action
and we utterly condemn all associations
and combinations for political purposes
formed to govern them by oaths and obi
cations, or other compulsory means, or to
impair the exercise of free will and indie
pendent judgment among them. And we
hold in adherence all secret political orders
and organizations, deeming them dangerous
TO the stability of government and the rights
of the people.
3-We are in favoar of religious tolcr-
alton, as the founders of our republican in
situations achieved and understood it, and
secured its enjoyments by constitutional
guarantees: and we declare that it ought to
be maintained free from invasion either by
means of Legislative interference, or the
equally tyrannical prescription of political
parties, founded on bigotry and ideas of in
tolerence.
Awhile we esteem it the duty of gov
eminent to foster and protect religion with
out invibious preferences, leaving all free to
choose among denomination according to
their consciences; and while we esteem it a
part of true religion, under every form, to
render allegiance and due support to gov
eminent recognizing the constitution as the
supreme law in all temporal and political
concerns: we hold the separate administra-
ton of the affairs Of Church and State, es-
scntial to prevent that union of the two,
which experience has shown to be PERM
cious TO both, and the worst form of TYR
amy,
Resolced, That while we are in favor oi
Sobrety and Temperance and of all prop
ermeans for The promotion of these virtues,
we are Internationally opposed to the Pro
hibitory Liquor Law passed at the last SEES
) sion of The General Assembly of this State,
and 90 any enactment embodying the OPP
pressive and arbitrary provisions of that
law
| 6-That our naturalization laws, our re-
publican institutions, our marvellous growth
in national greatness and the happiness OF
our people, have been and are Irresistible
inducements and invitations to the inhabi-
tants ofless fovorcd lands to become citi-
zens of ours; and that p,st experience, jus
tice, sound policy national pride, all con
: cur to favor the continuance of our pres
ent naturalization laws; that if any abuses
have grown up under these laws, they have
l sprung from their imperfect execution alone
and not from inherent defects in the laws
: themselves, and that we are in favor of that
; policy which will soonest assimilate nat
uralized citizens with the mass of our
people, and opposed to that anti liner
icon and illibcral policy which proscribes
: the foreign born citizen for the accident of
: birth, and drives him in self defence to an
tagonisn with our native born citizens in
telling, political opinions and conduct.
THAT the gallant band of Democrats
in Congress, who, throughout the protroct-
ed and yet pending contest for the organi-
: cation Of the House of Representatives, have
SO nobIy illustrated the National character
of the democratic party, by their unanimous
adherence to its principles, maintaining
alone all unbroken front while the factions
of the opposition, destitute of common
principle to bind them together, are disuni-
ted and discordant-have deserved well of
their country, and rendered the most en-
phatic testimony to the excellence of their
political creed-that our sympathes are
with them, and that We look to them with
proud confidence to nj htan unsullied the
honor of their country, and to surrender
nothing for coal ton with factions oppos-
ed to civil and religious liberty, and to the
constitution of their country.
8.-That the Democracy of Indiana have
undiminlshcd confidence in the Hon. Jesse
: ID. Bright, our Senator in Congress, and
, while we are ready checrfully and enthusi-
astically to support for the Presidency in
the approaching election whoever may be
selected rs the candidate for that office bv
the Democratic National Convention, from
whatever quarter of the Union he may come,
if the northwest is honorcd with that dis
tinction, we present the name of the Hon.
Jesse ID. Bright to that Convention, and to
the Democracy Of the Union, as a suitable
candidate, and one whom the Democracy
of Indiana would delight to honor
9.-That we approve of the administra-
ton of the State Government by His Ex-
cellency Joseph A. Wright, and that his
integrity, ability, and executive talents have
fully met the expectations of the democratic
party of Indiana, and won for him increased
confidence and gratitude from the people.
1O.-That the Democracy of Indiana,
assert as a principle in which the rights
and interests ofthc United States are involv-
we'd, that the American Continent; by the
free and Independent condition which it
occupies, is not to be considered subjects
of colonization by any European Powers,
and that they cordially endorse the po-
sition taken by President Pierce in his late
message to Congress OH that subject.
Resoired, That if Minister of any for