Kanawha Valley star. [volume] (Charleston, Va. [W. Va.]) 1856-1861, 1856-10-14
Demo,ratis National Platform.
The following is the Platform adopted
hy the Cincinnati Convention: :

/ i "A f. ! t. 4 - j
The following is the Platform adopted
BY the Cincinnati Convention:
Resolred, That the American Democ-
racy place their trust in the intelligence,
the patriotism and the discriminating
justice Of the American people. ~
Rrs6lsed, That we regard this as a
distinctive feature of our political creed,
which we are proud to maintain before
the world, as the great moral element in
d form of government springing from and
upheld BY the popular will; and We con-
trast il with the creed and practice Of
Federalism, under whatever name or
form, which seeks to palsy the will Of
the constituent, and which /eonceives no
imposture too monstrous for the popular
credulity. IL
Resoised, therefore, That, entertaining
these views, the Democratic party of this
Union, through their delegates assembled
in a general Convention, coming togeth-
er in a spirit of concord, Of devotion to
the doctrines and faith of free represen-
tatiye government, and appealing to their
fellow citizens for the rectitude<of their
intentions, renew and reassert before the
American peoplethe declarations of prin-
eiples ayowed by them when on former
occasions, in general Convention, they
have presented their candidates for pop
ular. suffrages. + .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.
2. That the Constitution does not con-
fer upon TIC General Government the
power to commence and carry on gem
eral ystem iof:internal improvements.
8. That the Constitution does not con-
fer authority upon the Federal Govern
ment, directly or indirectly, to: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 expedientH
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 por
ton 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 privileges, and to
complete an ample protection Of persons
and property from domestic violence oil
foreign aggression.
5. That it is the duty of every branch
9of the Government to enforce and prac'
Etice the most rigid economy in conduct,
ing our public affairs, and that no more
revenue ought to be raised than is re.
euiredE 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.
Z. That Congress has no power to
charterta national bank that we believe
such an institution one of deadly hostili
tF, to the best interests of the country,
dangerous to our public institutions and
the liberties of the people, and calculated
to place the business of the country with
in the control of a concentrated money
power, and above the laws and the will Of
the people and that the results of Dem
ocratic Legislation in this and all other
financial measures upon which issues
have been made between the two politi
cal parties of the country, have demon
strated to candid and practical men of all
parties, their; soundness, safety and utili-
yin all business pursuits.
f. 8. That the separation of the moneys
of the Government from banking institu-
tons sSindispensable for the salty of the
funds Of the Government and the rights
ofthe people. - -.
Il 9. That we are decidedly opposed to
taking from the President the qualified
veto power, by which he is enabled, un,
restrictions, and responsibilities amply
sufficient to guard the public interests, to
suspend the passage of a bill whose mer-
it's cannot secure the approval of two
thirds ofthe Senate and House OF Repre-
sentatiyes, 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. rof the United States, and from a
corrupting system of general internal i'm
Eproyements. III. ID,
r. 10. That the liberal principles embo.
died by Jefferson in the Declaration Of
Independence, and sanctioned in the
Constitution, which makes ours the land
ofliberty and the asylum Of the Cypress
ed of every nation, have ever been eardi
nal principles in the Democratic faith
and every attempt to abridge the priv
llege Of becoming citizens and the owners
Iof soil among US, ought to be. resisted
\ with the same spirit which swept thu
alien and .sedition laws from our statut,
books. j."
i j. And phereas, Since the foregoing dec
laration was uniformity adopted by our
i predecessors in National Conventions
an adverse political and religious test ha
Il haan saoraflv arpanizad hv a narty ,c1a;y,