Kanawha Valley star. [volume] (Charleston, Va. [W. Va.]) 1856-1861, 1856-10-07
D,ma,rn.ic National Platform.

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The following Is the Platto, Au0p'eN
lIby the Cincinnati Cony slon'
-, American Democ-
i Pesolsed. T4 4arust in tie intelligence,
rae! Placs SIN and the discriminating
inc ,2oof the American people.
I19esoiped, That we regard this as a
,distinctiyei feature Of our political creed,
(which we are proud TO maintain before
the world, as the great moral element in
form of government springing from and
upheld by the popular win /; and We con-
frast it with the creed and practice Of
Federalism, under whatever name or
form, which seeks to palsy the will Of
the constituent, and which conceiyes no
imposture too monstrous for the popular
credulity. T +
Resolved, therefore, That, entertaining
these views, the Democratic party Of this
Union, through their delegates assembled
in a general Convention. coming togeth-
er in spirit Of concord, Of devotion to
the doctrines and faith Of a free represen-
tative government, and appealing TO their
fellow-citizens for the rectitude of their
intentions, renew and reassert before the
American peoplethe declarations of prin-
ciples ayowed by them when on former
occasions, in general Convention, they
have presented their candidates for pop
ular suffrages. f.S -
l.. That the Federal Government is
one Of limited power, derived solely from
the Constitution; and the grants ofpower
made therein ought TO be strictly con-
strued by all the departments and agents
of the Government; !, and that it is mex
pedient and dangerous to exercise doubt
full constitutional powers. =. ..-l... r
2. That the Constitution does not con-
fer upon. the General Government the.
power to commence and carry on q gen
eral system of internal improvements.
g., That the Constitution does not cons
fer authority upon the Federal Govern
ment, directly or indirectly, 10 assume
the debts Of the several States, contract
ed for local and internal. improvements,
or other State purposes, nor would such
assumption be just or expedient.
4. That justice and sound policy for
bid the Federal Government to foster one
branch of industry to the detriment Of
any other, or to cherish the interests of
one portion to the injury of another pot-
ton Of our common country; that every
citizen and every section of the country
has a right to demand and insist upon an
equality Of rights and privileges, and to
complete an ample protection of persons
and property from domestic violence or
foreign aggression. *-'
g. That it is the duty Of every branch
of the Government to enforce and prac-
tice the most rigid economy in conduct
ing our public affairs, and that no more
revenue ought to be raised than. is re-
quired to defray the necessary 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 Consti-
tuition; and that 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.
7. That Congress has no power to
charter a national bank that We believe
such an institution one of deadly hostii-
ty to the best interests of the country,
to our public institutions and
the liberties of the people, and calculated
10 place the business Of the country with
IN the control of . concentrated money
power, and above the laws and the will Of
he people and that the results of Dem
,cratic Legislation in this and all other
financial measures upon which issues
nave been made between the two politi-
,al parties of the country, have demon
,trated to candid and practical men Of all
parties, their soundness, safety and utili-
N in all business pursuits. j. a : - i
10. That the separation of the moneys
If the Government from banking institu-
ions is Indispensable for the salty of the
;unds Of the Government and the rights
ofthe people. = +"
9. That we are decidedly opposed to
aking from the President the qualified
veto power, by which he is enabled, un-
and responsibilities amply
sufficient to guard the public interests, to
suspend the passage of bill whose mer-
its cannot secure the approval Of two
thirds Of the Senate and House of Repre-
until the Judgment of the peo-
pie can be obtained thereon, and which
has saved the American people from the
corrupt and tyranical domination of the
Bank of the United States, and from
corrupting system Of general internal i'm
proyements. t><s-. @ III
10. That the liberal principles embo-
died by jefferson in the Declaration of
Independence, and sanctioned in the
Constitution, which makes ours the land
Of liberty and the asylum of the oppress-
ed Of every nation, have ever been cardi-
nal principles in the Democratic faith,
and every attempt to abridge the privi-
lege Of becoming citiz lens and the owners
Of soil among us. ought to be resisted
with the same spirit which swept the
alien and sedition laws from our statute
books. IA fs'. ; 5aa j /
And whereds, Since the foregoing dec
laration was uniformity adopted by our
predecessors in National Conventions,
n Il II i 4 4 :