The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-06-28
THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.

This convention of delegates, assembled in
pursuance Of cal! addressed to the people Of
the United States without regard to past 20.
litcal differences or divisions who are op-
posed to the repeal of the Missouri compro-
mise to the policy Of the present Admins
tration; to the extension Of slavery into Kan
sas and in favor of the admission of Kansas
as free state; Of restoring the action OF the
federal government to the principles of Wash
ington and Jefferson, and for the purpose of
presenting candidates for the offices of Pres-
dent and Vice President, do resolve as fol-
lows -
1. Reso'red, That the maintenance of the
principles promulgated in the Declaration of
independence and embodied in the Federal
Constitution are essential to the Preservati ion
of our republican institutions, and that the
Federal Constitution, the rights OF the States,
and the CniOn OF the States must and shall
be preserved.
2. Re<olced, That with our Republican
fathers we hold it to be a self-cvident truth,
that all men are endowed with the ina!iena-
bic right Of lite, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness, and that the primary object and
Interior design Of our Federal Government
were TO secure these rights to all persons
within exclusive jurisdiction that as our
republican fathers, when they had abolished
slavery in all our national territory, ordain-
ed that no person should be deprived OF life,
liberty or property without due process of
law, it becomes our duty to maintain this
provision OF the constitution against all at
temr:s to violate it for the purpose of estab-
fishing slavery in the territories of the Uni
ted States. by positive Legislation prohibiting
its existence or extension therein; that we
deny the authority of Congress, of a terrific
rial legislature, OF any individual or associa-
ton Of individuals to give legal assistance
TO slavery in any territory of the United
States, while the present constitution shall
be maintained.
8. Reso'red, That the Constitution confcrs
upon Congress sovereign power over the
territories the United States, for this gov
eminent. and that in exercise of this power
1t is the right and imperative duty OF Con-
gress to prohibit in the territories those twin
relics of barbarism, polygamy and slavery.
| ReSo|ced, That while the constitution of
the United States was ordained in order ia
form more perfect union, and established
justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide
tor the common defense. promote the general
welfare and secure the blessings of liberty,
and contains ample provisions for tho protec-
ton Of the life, liberty and property of eve
~ citizen, the dearest Constitutional rights
of the people Of Kansas have been fraudulent
ly taken from them.
Their territory has been invaded by an
armed force.
Spurious and pretended legislative, Judi
rial, and executive officers have been set o.
yer them, by whose usurped authority, sus-
tanned by the military power Of the govern.
menf, tyrannical and unconstitutional laws
have been enacted and enforced.
The rights Of the people to keep and bear
arms have been infringed.
Test oaths Of an extraordinary and entan
Cling nature have been imposed a. condi
ton exercising the rights Of suffrage aud
holding office.
The right Of an accused person to a speedy
and public trial by an impartial jury has been
denied.
The right Of the people to be secure in
their houses, papers and effects, against un-
reasonable searches and seizures has been
violated.
They have been deprived Of life liberty
and property without due process Of Law.
That the freedom of speech and of the
press has been abridged.
The right to choose their representatives
has been made of no effect.
Murders, robberies, and arsons have been
instigated and encouraged, and the offenders
have been allowed to 60 UNPUBLISHED.
That all these things have been done with
the knowledge, sanction and procurement
Of the present administration and that for
this high crime against the constitution, the
Union, and humanity, We arraign the ad-
miristration,-tbe president, his advisers, a.
gents, supporters, spologists, and accessories,
either before or after the facts, before the
country and the world and that it is our fix.
ed purpose 10 bring the sctual perpetrators