Squatter sovereign., 1856-06-24
The Democratic Platform.

ClairnlaH MIR. flattet, OF Massachusetts
sISmit e1 the foil; wing Report:
Resolred, That the American Dcmecra-
cy place their irus. IN the intelligence, the
patriotism and the discriminating justice or
the american people.
Pesoiced, That we regard this as a dis
tinctise feature Of our politiealcre which
we are proud to maintain before the world,
as the great moral element in form OF
government, sfriIging from and upheld by
tie popular will: and we coptrast it with
the creed aud practice Of Federalism ua-
der whalcyer na,ne or form, which seeks
10 p isy tue will Of the Constituent. and
which cenceives 10 imros:ure too Iuonstrons
for the popular creduiity.
>Reso.pei, therefore, That, entertaining
these views, the Democratic party Of thIs
Union. through their Delegates assernhied
in q general Convention, coming togethsT
IN Il spirit Of concord OF devotion TO the
doctrines and faith Of a free representative
governments, and appealing 10 their fellow
citizens Cor the.recsiiutle oil their Intentions,
renew and feassert before the American
people, the declarations Of principles avow
81 by them when, on t0rner occasions, IN
general Convention. they have presented
:heir candidates for the popular sniIfaees
[. That the Federal Governnent is one
OF limited power, derived solely from the
constitutions; and the grants Of power made
therein ought 10 be strictly construed by all
the departments and agents el the govern
,nen:; an / that it is inexpedlent and dam
rarous 10 cxerslse doubtful constitutional
powers.
,. That the constitution does not con-
fer upon the General Government the pow
er 10 commence and carry Oh Il genera:
system Of internal Improvements.
3. Thatstie constitution does not confer
authority upon the Federal Govern'nent,
either directly or indirectly, to assume the
debts OF the several States, contracted Tor
local and internal improvements, or other
State purposes; nor would such assumption
be Just or eXpcdcnt.ss
Il. That Justice aIi.i sound policy forbid
the Federal Government TO ioster one
branch-o OF Industry to the dctriInent OF any
other. or 10 cherish the interests oil one
portion TO the injury Of another portion OF
oss common country; that every cnizea and
every section Of III. country has right to
demand and insis! upon an equality Of
rights and privileges, and to complete an
diDFIS IiOlttllHfi HSiSSA'~ s'iAN E4OfN-Nr
r-o.n domestic violence OF foreign aggres-
sion.
q. That it is the duty Of every branch OF
the Government TO enforce and Practice
the most rigid economy in conducting our
public affairs, and that no more revenue
ought 10 be raised than IS required TO de
fray the necessary expenses oil the Govern
ment. and for the gradual, tut certain ex-
tnetion OF the public debt.
6. That tie proceeds OF the public lands
ought to be .acredy applied to the patton
al objects specified in the Constitution; and
that we are opposed to any law ter Tie dig.
tribution Of such proceeds among the
States, as alike inexpedient in policy and
reptIgna ut 10 tie Constitution.
Z. That Congress has power to CHAR
ter a national bank, that we tciisvc such
AN institution one OF deadly hostility to the
best interests OF the country, dangerous to
our republican institutions and the liberties
OF bic people, and calculated to place the
tusiness of the country within the control
OF a concentrated money power, and above
the laws and the will OF the people; and
tka, the result Of the Democratic legislation
in this and all other iiua ncial measures.
spon which issues haze been made between
tie two political parties OF the country.
have demonstrated 70 candid and practical
men OF all parties their soandness, safety,
and utility, in all business pursuits.
s That the separation OF the moneys o.
the Government from banking institutions
IL Indispensable to the safety OF the iunds
o the Government and the Fights oi the
people.
8. THAT We are decidedly opposed to
taking from the president tic qualified veto
power by which lie is enabled, under re-
strictions and responsibilities amply sufh-
cicnt 10 guard the public interests, 70 sus-
pend the passage Of bill whose merits
cannot secure tie approval ofIwo-thirds O!
the Senate and House Of representatives
until the Judgment Of the people can be OBJ
tained thereon, and which has saved the
American people from the corrupt and y
rannical domination OF the Bank of the
United States, and from a corrHpting sys-
tern Of general Internal Improvements.
10. That tho liberal prAlciplcs embodied
by jefferson IN the Declaration OF lnde-
pendence, and sanctioned in the Constltu-
ton, which makes ours the land OF liberty
and the asylum Of the oppressed of every
nation, have ever been cardinal principles
In the Democratic faith, and every attcmpl
to abridge the privilege of becoming citi-
zens ans the owners Of soil among US
ought to be resisted with the same spirit
which swept the alien and scdition laws
from our statute books.
And WHEREAS, Since the foregoing dec
iaration has been uniformly adopted by our
predecessors in National Conventions, an
adverse political and religious test has been
secretly organized By a party claiming to
be exclusively American, it is proper that
the American Democracy should clearly
define its relations thereto, and declare its
determined opposition to all secret political
societies, by whatever name they may be
called.
Resoloe,!, That the foundation of this un-
ion Of States having been IN. and its pros
neritu and nressntnaent examnle In Free