The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1856-07-01
Platform ofthe National Republican Convcn-
tI0n.

| We present below with the highest salts
faction, tho Platform adopted by the Phila
dolphia Convention. 1t will command tho
respect and admiration Of every freeman in
the North. Fit in expression, full and pre-
else in enunciation of principle, bold and un
compromising in its tone, with considerat'
regard for the interests of the various sections
of our confederacy. We confidently predict
for it an enthusiastic reception by the people
We ask comparison of its sections on the
slavery question and internal improvements
including the Pacific Railroad project, with
the platform of the Cincinnati pro-slavery con-
vention. .ftrr
Whereas, This convention Of delegates is
assembled in pursuance of call addressed TO
the people of the United States without re-
gard to past political differences or divisions,
who are opposed to the repeal of the Missou-
ri Compromises, TO tho policy of the p,ssomt
administration, to the extension of slavery
into Kansas, and in favor of the admission of
Kansas as free State, for restoring the ac-
ton of the federal government to the princi-
Piles of Washington and Jefferson, and for the
purpose of presenting candidates for the office
of President and Yice-President.
Resolyed, That the maintenance of the
principles promulgated in the Declaration Of
Independence and embodied in the federal
constitution, are essential to the preservation
of our republican institutions. The federal
constitution, the rights of the States, tho
union of tho States, shall ever be preserved.
Pesolved, That, with our republican faith
ers, we hold it to be a self evident truth that
all men are endowed with an inalienable right
to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
That tic primary object and uterior design
of our Federal governmcnt'was to secure such
rights to all persons within its exclusive juris-
diction. That as our republican fathers,
when they abolished slavery in our national
territory, ordained 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 a.
gainst all attempts TO violate it for the pur-
pose of establishing slavery in the United
States, by positive legislation prohibiting its
extension therein. That VIC deny the au-
thority of Congress, Of Territorial Lcgisla-
ture, Of any individual or association Of indi-
viduals, to give legal assistance to slavery in
any Territory of the United States, while the
present constitution shall be maintained.
Resolved, That the constitution confers on
Congress sovereign power over the Territories
of the United States for their government,
and, in the exercise of this power, it is the
right of Congress to prohibit in the Terrific
res both polygamy and slavery.
ReSolged That while the constitution &c
the u. S. was ordained and established in or
der TO establish more perfect union, justice,
insure domestic tranquility, provide for the
common defence, and secure the blessings Of
liberty, and contains ample provisions for the
protection of the life, liberty and property
of every citizen, the dearest constitutional
rights of the people Of Kansas have been
fraudulently and violently taken from them;
their Territory has been invaded by an armed
set Of men; spurious and pretended judicial
and executive officers have been watching
over them, 10y whose usurpcd authority, sus-
tanned by the military power of the United
States government, tyranncal and uncon-
stitutional laws have been enacted and en-
forced; the right of the people to keep and
bear arms has been infringed; test oaths of
an extraordinary and very entangling nature
have been imposed as condition of exercis-
ing the right Of suffrage and holding office;
the right of an accused person to speedy
and public trial by an impartial jury has been
denied them; the right of the people to be
secure in their houses, papers and effects a
gainst unreasonable searches and seizures, has
been violated; they have been deprived Of
life, liberty, and property, without due pro-
cess of law; the freedom of speech and the
press has been made of no effect; MURDERS
robberies, and arson, have been instigated
and encouraged, and the offenders have been
allowed TO 60 unpunished yet all these
things have been done with the knowledge,
sanction, and procurement of the present ad
ministmtion and that, for this high crime
against the constitution, tho Union and hu-
mauity, We arraign the administration, the
President, his endorsers, agents, supporters,
apologists, and accessories either before or
after the acts, before the country and before
the world; and that it is our fixed purpose to
bring the actual perpetrators of the atrocious
outragcs, and their accomplices, to severe
and condign punishment hereafter.
Resolyed, That Kansas shall be admitted
stS ~ Dt'ttc vi tuc CuiOu Will hci piSoohs ucS |
constitution, as at once the most effectual
way of securing to her citizens the enjoyment
of the rights and privileges to which they are
entitled, and of ending the civil strife now
raging in her territory.
Resolved, That the highwayman's plea,
that might makes right, embodied in the
Ostend circular, was, in every respect, un-
worthy Of American diplomacy, and would
bring shame and dishonor upon any govern
ment or people that gave it their sanction.
Resolved, That railroad to the Pacific
Ocean, by the most central and practicable
route, is imperatively demanded by the in
terests of the whole country, and that the
federal government ought to render immedi-
ate and efficient aid in its construction, and
as an auxiliary thereto, the immediate con-
of an emigrant route on the line Of
railroad.
Resolved, That appropriations by Congress
tIo ,,,,,rova,,o,f .f r,vovu opJ barborc rf