The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-06-26
Platform Adopted by the RcpHbIi-
can Convention.
Philharmonic June

l
PHILADELPHIA, June lS.
This Convention of delegates assembled
in pursuance of call addressed 10 the peo.
pie Of the United States, without regard to
party, political differences or divisions, who
are opposed to the repeal of the Missouri
Compromise, to the policy OF the present ad.
mnistration, to the extension of slavery in.
to free territory, in favor of the admission
OF Kansas as Free State, &c.
ReeSolUed, That the maintainance of the
principles promulgated in the Declaration
of independence, and embodied in the feder.
al constitution. are essential 10 the preserya-
tlon OF our republican institutions; and that
the federal constitution, the rights of the
States, and the Union of States must and
shall be preserved.
ReSolUed. That, with our republican faith
ers, we hold it to be a self.evident truth
that II men are endowed with the inaliena.
pie RI sht to life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness, and that the primary object and
ulterlor design of our Federal Government
twere to secure these rights to all persons
within its exclusive jurisdiction; that as our
republican fathers, when they had abolish
ed Slavery in all our National Territory, or.
dalned that no person shall be deprived Of
lie, liberty or property without due process
OF law, it becomes our duty to maintain this
provision of the Constitution against all at.
tempts to violate it for the purpose Of estab-
fishing Slavery in the United States, by DOS.
tive egislation-prohibting its existence
or extension therein; that we deny the au.
thority OF Congress, or of Territorial Leg
islatnre, or of any individual or association
OF individuals, to give legal existence to
Slavery in any Territory of the United
States, while the present Constitution shall
be maintained.
ReSoLUed, That the Constitution confers
upon Congress sovereign power over the
Territories of the United States for their
government, and that in the exercise of this
power, it is both the right and the duty of
congress to prohibit it in the Territories,
those twin relics Of barbarism polgamy and
slavery.
Resolved, That while the constitution of
he United States was ordained and estab.
lished by the people, in order to form per-
tect Union, establish justice and insure do.
nestle tranquility and provide for the CON-
mon defence, and TO promote the general
welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty, |
1t contains ample provisions for the protec-
ton of the life, liberty and prosperity of ev-
cry citizen, the dearest constitutional rights |
OF the people of Kansas have been frandu.
lently and violently taken from them.--
Their Territory has been invaded by an
armed force, spurious and pretended legisla-
i've, Judicial and executive officers have
been set over them: by whose usurpcd au-
tbor'ty, and sustained by the military power
OF the government, tyrannical and unconsti.
tntional laws have been enacted and EN-.
forced, the rights of the people to keep and
bear arms have been infringed, test oaths
OF an extraordinary and entangling nature
nave been. imposed as condition of exerci-
sing the right of suffrage and holding office,
the right of an accused person to speedy
and public trial by ap impartial jury, has
been defed, the right of the people to be Sc.
cure In their persons. houses, papers. and
etects, against unreasonable search and sci.
zure has been violated, they have been de-
prlVed of life, liberty and property without
1ue process Of law, that the freedom of
speech and of the press has been abridged
he right to choose their representatives has
'een made ofno effect, murders, roberies, I
md arson have been instigated and encour-
lged, and the offenders have been allowed i
o 60 unpunished; that all these things have I
'een done with the knowledge, sanction and +
procurement OF the present administra alton; ?
md that foF this high crime against the Con- 2
tltutlon, the Union and humanity, we ar {
algn that administration, the President, his t
ldvlsers, agents, supporters, apologists and i
ccessories, either before of after the facts, a
'efore the country and before the world, a
md that it is our fixed purpose to bring the e
ctual perpetrators of these atrocious outra q
res, and their accompiices to sure and o
ondign punishment hereafter. v
Resolved' That Kansas should be mmedi, v
tely admitted as State of the Union,wi l.
er present free constitution, as at once the $
most eftectual way of securing to her cti. n
ems the enjoyments Of the rights and priv y
leges to which they are entitled, and of end o
ng the single strife now raging in her Ter. il
itory. c
ResolUed, That the highwaymans plea,that S
light makes right embodied in the Ostend d
lrcular, was in every respect unworthy oi
American diplomacy, and would bring shame l
nd dishonor upon any Government or peo. {
lie that gave it their sanction.
ReSoIUed, That q railroad to the Pacific \
'cean by the most central and practical /
oute is imperatively demanded by the inter.
sts Of the whole country, and that the Fed. :,
raj Government ought to render immediate "
nd efficient aid to its construction, and as a
n auxiliary thereto, the immediate construc.
on OF an emigrant road on the line of the d
iilroad. 81
Resolved, That appropriations by Congress b
'r the improvement Of rivers and harbors of g
National character, required for the accom- s
odation and security of our existing com. d.
erce, are authorized by the Constitution Ii
nd justified by the Obligation of the Gov te
rnment to protect the lives and property of p,
S citizens. ul
Resolved, That we invite the affiliaton and al
cooperation of the men of all parties, how st
yer, differing from US in other respects, in OF
70 support of the principles herein declar- th
i and believing that the spirit of our insti- de
tlons as we'll as the constitution of our be
'untry guarantees liberty of conscience.
ID equality of rights among citizens who