Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1856-07-04
CHAPTER ". Observation-Disclosures
1IAIHINn

TIMBER.
|. Rcsolrcd, That there are questions connect
ed with the foreign policy of this country
which are inferior to no domestic questions
whatever. The time has come for the people
of the United States to declare themselves
strongly IN favor Of free seas and progressive
free trade throughout the world. and, by
solemn manifestations to place their moral
influence at the side of their successful exam
pie.
>. Resoircd, That our geographical and
political position with reference to other
states Of our continent, no less than the in
interest of our and the develop
m mt OF our growing power requires
tn 1T we should hold as sacred the principles
involved in the Monroe doctrine; their bearing
and import admit OF no misconstruction: they
should fe app 10 W tn unbendii 6 r & lily.
3. ResOlred, That the great highway
which nature, as we'll as the assent OF the
States most Immediately interested in its
maintenance has marked out for n free com
munication between the Atlantic and the
Pacific oceans, constitutes one of the most
important achievements realized by mod
crn times and the uncunquorablc energy of
our people. That result should he secured
by Il timely and efficient e~xcrtion of the con
troll which we have the right to claim over it,
and no power ON earth should he suffered to
~ INd' VI NI'- I llpIltcN ny any lHNtI l'ItllC'
with the relations it may suit our policy to
establish between our government and the
Governments or the states within whose do
minions it lies. We can, under no circum-
stances surrender our prepondcrance in the
adjustment OF all questions arising out Of it.
i. RcsOircd, That in view Of so command
ing an interest. tie people OF the United
States cannot but SYM athisc with the efforts
which are being made by the people of Cen
trail America to regeneratc that portion of
the continent which covers the passage across
the lnteroccanic lsthmus.
> RcSolrCd, That the Democratic Party
will expect of the next Administration that
every proper effort will be made to insure our
ascendancy in the Gulf of Mexico, and to
maintain Il permanent protection to the
great outlets through which arc cmpticd into
its waters the products raised out of the soil
and the commodities created by the industry
of the people of our Western valleys, and of
the Union at large.
b. +, HALLETT, Chairman.
!. Is a windy flourish and nothing more
it does not even profess to be anything more
than a talk about free seas and progressive
free trade throughout the world.
,. Tn Monroe doctrine, so called, was put
forth about 80 years ago, but no practical
question has ever arisen on it. nor does any
body suppose that one will. 1t is introduced
here to serve as a stalking horse for the fill
clustering resolutions which follow.
). Claims that the United States govern
ment has Il right to CONTROL the communica-
tions between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans,
and across independcnt States, nearly as far
south of our extreme southern boundary as
that is south Of our extreme northern bound
airy.
i. Is meant to back up Walker and all fiji.
lbuster schemes aiming to revolutionize Cen
trail America, and to prepare the way for add
Ing all the southern part of North America
as stare states to the Union.
,. At their famous Ostend conference. Blu
chanan, Mason and Soule put forth the doctrine
that Cuba must be secured to the United
States, for the lenoiit Of the Slave States
Spain was to be offered ,Sl2O, 900 600 for it.
Should she refuse to sell, then it ought to be
to|ca ny Jorcc, To that unprincipled doc
tlne this resolution points Buchanan is
virtually pledged to carry it out if he gains
his election.
APPENDIX. PACIFIC RAILROAD.
The platform having been thus constructed,
1t was thought best by some to put on a lit
tie addition to crafty those who feel some in
terest in a Pacific Railroad. So the follow
ing resolution was introduced
"ReSolred, That the Democratic Party rec
ognizcs the great importance, in a political
and commercial point Of view, of a safe and
speedy communication, by military and post
al roads, through our own territory, between
the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of this Union,
and that it is the duty of the FEDERAL Govern
ment to exercise promptly all its c|onstitu-
tlonal power for the attainment Of that OBJ
ject.'
But the resolution looked towards benefit
ting the free states, and it was roted dorm.
Mr., Benton says he asked a member of the
how he could swallow such a nau-
seous dose as had been offered to them in
this platform, just as | do |ipecac," was
the reply, - to puke it up again" " The
party will find hard work to keep it on the
stomachs Of any in thet free states but the
and their undiscerning follow
ers.