The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-06-18
Democratic Platform

"Aud, whereas, Since Tive foregoing
declaration WAS uniformly adopted 10y our
predecessors in National Convention, an
adverse political and religious test has
been secretly organized by patty claim
ing TO DC exclusively Americans, and il is
proper that the American Democracy
should clearly define its relations thereto:
Therefore,
Resolved, That the foundation OF this
Union oi States having been laid in its
prosperity, expansion and pre-. eminent en-
ample i'll free government, built upon en-
ti.e freedom in matters Of Religions con-
C~l', atd no respect of persons in regard
to rank or place of birth, no party can
Justly be deemed national, constitutional,
or III accordance with American princi-
pics, which bases its exclusive orraniza.
ton upon religious opinions and accident
al birthplace.
That we rclcrate with renewed energy
OF purpose the well considered declarations
OF former conventions upon the sectional
issue OF domestic slavery and concerning
the reserved rights of tho States; and tha,
we may more distinctly meet the issue on
which a sectional party, suLsistiug cxclu-
Sive,y on slavery agitation, now relics to
test the fidelity OF the people, North and
South, 10 the Constitution and the Union.
Resolved, That claiming fellowship " ilh
and o2slring the cooperation Of all who
regard the preservation of the Union un-
der the constitution rs the paramount
issue, and r,puIIating all sectional par
N q 1,,r, -.
slavery, which seek to c,uhroil the States
and incIte 10 treason and armed resistance
10 law in the Territories, and whose avow-
Ell purposes, if cOuSumatcd, must end in
civil war and disunion, the American de-
mocracy recognize and adopt the priuci.
pies contained in the organic avs cstab-
fishing the Territories of Kansas and Ne.
braska, rs embodying the on Y sound and
safe solution Of the slavery question upon
which the great national idea Of the Pco.
pie Of this whole country can rcpoSe in its
determined conservatism of the Union ::
non Interference 10y Congress with slavery
in States and Territories; that this was
the basis ot the compromises of $50, con.
ii:med by both the Democratic and Whir
parties in national conventions, ratified Ly
the people in the election OF 80 and rightly
applied to the organization Of territories
in 1854; that by the Uniform application
Of this democratic principle to the organ
lZaton of territories and the admission of
new States, Will. or without domestic sa-
very, as they may elect, the equal rights
of all the States will be preserved intact,
the original compacts of the constitution
maintained invioate, and the pcrpetuntion
and expansion Of this Union ensured to
its utmost capacity of embracing, in peace
and harmony, every future American
State that may be constituted or annexed
with republican form of government.
Resolved: That we recognize the right
of the people Of all the Territories, inclu
ding Kansas and Nebraska, acting through
the fairly expressed will Of the majority of
actual residents; and whenever the nun.
Der of their inhabitants justfies il, to form
constitution, with or without domestic
slavery, and be admitted into the Union
upon terms Of perfect equality with the
other States.
THE FOREIGN POLICY OF THE GOVERN
MENT.
Resolved, finally, That by the condi
ton of the popular institutions of the old
world, and the dangerous tendency of
sectional agitation, combined with the at
tempt to enforce civil and religious disa.
biIities against the right Of acquiring cti
zenship in our own land, the high and
sacred duty is devoIved with increased re
SponsIbility upon The Democratic party Of
this country, as the party Of the Union,
To uphold and maintam the right of every
State, aad thereby the union of the States;
;.HI &@%taia a"a advance ani org us CON
stituiiOnal liberty by continuing to resist
all monopoIies and exclusive legislation
for the benefit Of the few, at the expense
Of the many. And, by the vigilant adhe-
renee to these principles and the comprc-
misses Of the constitution, which are broad
and strong enough TO embrace and up
bold the Union as it was, and the Union
rs il is--the Union as it shall be in the
full expansion Of the energies and capaci.
ties of tins great progressive people.
First-Resolved. That the question
connected with g." foreign policy Of the
country is inferior TO no domestic question
whatever. The time has come for the
people of the United States to declare
themselves in favor of free seas and pro
greSsive free trade throughout the world.
and, by solemn manifestation TO place
their moral Influence BY the side of their
successful example.
Resolved, That our geogIaph-
ical and political position with reference
TO the other States of this Continent, no
less than the interests of our commerce
and the development Of our growing pow
er, requires that we bold TO the sacred
principles involved in the Monroe doctrine.
Their bearing and import admit of no
mlsconstruotion. and should be applied
with unbending vigidity.
Thirdly-Resolved, That the great
highway which nature as well as the as
sent Of the States most Immediately inter
ssled in its maintenance has marked out