The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-06-11

ton of the platform, 1T is proper to state
that they were not adopted with entire
unanimity. I am also instructed to re.
port a resolut. on, as recommended by
the committee to be a portion of the
platform, concerning communication be-
to cen the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
With these explanations 1 shall pro-
coed to read the resolutions
REPORT OF H COMMITTEE on REsoLU-
TIUNs.
The cemmittes on Resolutions, By their Chairman,
RESOLVED, That the American Democracy
place their trust in the intelligence, the Patri-
otisn, and The discriminating justice of the
American people.
RESOLVED, That we regard this a distinctive
feature of our political creed, which we are
proud to maintain before the world a. the great
moral eiement in q form of government spring
ing from, and upheld by the popular will and
we contrast it with the creed and practice of
Federalism, under whatever name and form,
which seeks to palsy the will of the %constitu-
ent, and which conceives no impos.ure too
monstrous for the popular cEedulity.
RESOLVED, THEREFORE, That entertaining
those views, the Democratic party of this I'm
ion, through their delegates in a
general Convention, coming together in a spirit
of CONGO d, of devotion to the doctrines and
faith of q free representative government, and
appealing to their tellOW-cltlzen5 Tor the rectl-
tude of their intentions, renew aud reassert be-
fore the American people the declaration of
principles avowed by them when on foymer
occasions, in general Convention, they have
presented their candidates for popular suffrages.
/. That the Federal Government is one of
limited power. derived solely from the Consti-
tuition ; and the grants of power made therein
ought to be strictly construed by all the de-
} partmenLs and agents of the Government and
that it is inexpedient and dangerous to exer-
=. ~ tf,1 en- %it,,tion oil oryar
2. That the Constitution does not confer
upon the General Government the power TO
commence and carry on a general system OF in
ternal Improvements.
g.. That the Constitution does not confer nu-
thority upon the Federal Gov eminent, directly
or indirectly, to assume the debts of the sew
eral States, contracted for local and internal
improvements, or other State purposes, nor
would such assumption be just or expedient
d. That justice and policy forbid The Fed
eral Government to foster one branch of indus
try to the detriment of any other. or IT, cherish
the interest of one portion to the injury of an
other portion of our common country thai
every section and every citizen of the country
has O right to demand and insist upon an
eavality of rights and privileges, and TO CON-
:. plete an ample projection Of persons and prop
! erty from domestic violence or foreign aggres-
sion.
5. That it is the duty of every branch OF
the Government to enforce and practice the
j most rlglu economy IN conducting our PuDllC
, affairs, and that no more revenue ought to be
raised than is required to defray the necessary
expenses of the Government. and for the grad
ual, but certain extinction of the public debt.
6. That the proceeds of the public lands
ought 10 be sacredly applied to the national
objects specified in the Constitution and that
We are opposed to any law for the distribution
of such proceeds among the States, as alike in
cxpedienti in policy and repuGaans to the Con-
: s~titution.
T.. That Congress has no power to charter
a national bank that we believe such an in
: stitution one of deadly hostility to the best in
terests Of the country, dangerous to our repub-
lican institutions and the liberties of the
people, and calculated to place the business OF
The country within the control of Il conc, ntrated
money power, and above the laws and will OF
1 the people and that the results of the Eelno-
cratic legislation N this and all other financial
measures upon which Issues have been made
between the two political parties of the coun-
: try, have demonstrated to Candid and practical
men Of all parties. their soundncss, safety and
utility in all business pursuits.
8. That the separation of the moneys Of the
Government from banking Institutions is in
J dispensable for the safety of the funds of the
Government and the rights of the people.
? g.. That We are decidedly opposed to TAX
ing from the President the qualified veto DOW
er. by which ne is enabled, under restrictions
I and responsibilities amply sufficient TO guard
the public interests to suspend the passage Of
a bill whose merits cannotsecure the approval
of two-thirds of the Senate and House Of Rep
: rescntatives, until the Judgment Of the people
can be obtained thereon, and which has saved
j the American people from the corrupt and ty-
ranieal domination Of the Bank of the United
States, and from a eerrupting system OF gener:
u internal improvements.
10. That the liberal principles embodied
by jefferson in the Declaration of lndePend-
ence, and sanctioned in the Constitution, which
makes ours the land of liberty and the ASYLUM
of the oppressed Of every nation, have evel
been cardinal principles in the Democratic
faith, and every nt.anpt to ahridge the privi
= lcge of becoming citizens and the owners o
Soil amongst Us, ought to be resisted with Tho
[ same spirit which swept the alien and seditior
laws from our statute books.
And WHEREAS. Since the foregoing declara
ton was uniformly adopted by our Predeees
sors in National Conventions, an adverse Pc
B lisIeal and religious test has been secretly or
g~anized by a party claiming to be exclusirel!
American. 1t is proper that the American De
mocracy should clearly define its relations
. thereto, and declare its determined opposition
/ to all secret political Societies by whaoeye
name they may be known.
n RESOLVED, That the foundation of this unio,
of States having been laid in, and its prospect
ty, expansion and its pre-emInent example il
, tree government built upon entire freedom il
5 matters of religious Government, and no re
spect of person in regard to rank or place o
o birth, no party can be justly deemed ma ional
Z constitutional, or in accordance with American
principles, which bases its exclusive orgariza
ton upon religious opinions and Academia
r birthplace. And hence a political crusade il
the nineteenth century. and III the United States
OF America, against Catholics and foreign born
is neither justified by the past history or the fu
: ture prospect of the country, nor in unison with
f the spirit of liberation and enlarged freedom
which peculiarly distinguishes the American
system of popular government.
RESOLVED, That we reiterate with renewed
energy of purpose, the well considered dcclara,
tons of former Conversions upon the sectiona,
issue of domestic Slavery, and concerning the
> reserved rights of the States
, /. That Congress has no power under the
l Constitution, to interfere with or control the
domestic institutions of the several States, and
that such States are the sole and proper judges
Of everything appertaining to their OVID affrirs,
not pl ohibited by the Constitution ; that all eff
forts of the abolitionists or others, made to in
dlce Congress 10 interfere with questions OF
slavery. or TO take incipient steps in rela-
ton thereto, are calculated to lead to the
S most alarming and dangerous consequences
and that all such efforts have an inevitable
tendency to diminish the happiness of the peo-
. pie, and endanger the stability and permanen-
cy of the Union, and ought not TO be -counten-
anced by any friends of our political ~institu-
tions.
9. That the foregoing proposition covers,
, and was intended to embrace the whole sub
!, iert of slavery agitation in Congress and
i therefore, the democratic I.arty of the Union,
standing On this national platform, will abide
b. and adhere to a faithful execution of the
acts known as the Compromise Measures, set
tied by the Congress Of 1880 " the act for re-
3 claiming fugitives from service or labor" in
: cluded which act being designed to carry out