Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-08-22
nEnr0CRArrC PLATFOR1I.

ReSotUed, That the American democracy
place their trust in the intelligence, the pat
Tiotism, and the discriminating justice of the
American people,
ResolUed, That VIC regard this as dis
tinctive feature of our political creed, which
we are proud to maintain before the world,
as the great moral element in form of gov
ernment springing from and upheld by the
popular will; and we contrast 1t with the
creed and practice offederalisrn, underwhat-
ever name or form, which seeks to palsy the
viii of the constituent, and which conceives
no imposture too monstrous for the popular
credulity.
Resoiued, therefore, That entertaining
these views, the democratic party of this
Union, through their delegates assembled in
a general convention, coming together in a
spirit of concord, of devotion to the doctrines
and faith of free representative govern
ment and appealing to their fellow-citizens
for the rectitude Of their intentions, renew
and re-assert before the American people,
the declarations of principles avoyed by
them. when, on former occasions, in general
convention, they have presented their can
didates for the popular suffrages.
l. That the federal government Is one of
limited power, derived solely from the con-
stitution; and the grants Of power made
therein ought to be strictly construed by all
the departments and agents of the govern
ment; and that it is inexpedient and dan
Cerous to exercise doubtful constitutional
powers.
.. That the constitution does not confer
upon the general government the power to
commence and carry on general system OF
internal improvements.
8. That the constitution docs not confer
authority upon the federal government, di-
rectlv or indirectly, TO assume the debts of
the several states, contracted for local and
internal Improvements, or other state pur-
poses; nor would such assumption be just
or expedient.
4. That justice and sound policy forbid
the federal government to foster one branch
of industry to the detriment of any other, or
to cherish the interests of one portion to the
injury of another portion of our common
country; that every citizen and every sec
tion of the country has a right to demand
and insist upon an equality of rights and
privileges, and to complete and ample pro-
lection of persons and property from do
mestic violence or foreig aggression.
5. That it is the duty of every branch of
the government to enforce and practice the
most rigid economy in conducting public af-
fairs, and no more revenue ought to be rails
ed than is required to defray the necessary
expense Of the government, and for the grad
ual, but certain extinction Of the public
debt.
6. That the proceeds of the public
lands ought to be sacredly applied to the
national objects, specified in the constitu-
ton; and that we are opposed to any law
for the dictribution of such proceeds among
the states, as alike inexpedient in policy
and repugnant to the constitution.
Z. That congress has no power to charter
a national bank; that we believe such an In
stitution a deadly hostility to the best
interests Of the country, dangerous to
our republican institutions and the
liberties of the people, and calculated
to place the business of the country within
the control of a concentrated money power,
and above the laws and will of the people
and that the results of democratic legisla-
ton in this and all other financial measures
upon which issues have been made between
the two political parties of the country,
have demonstrated to candid and practical
men of all parties, their soundness, safety,
and utility, in all business pursuits.
s. That the separation Of the moneys Of
the government from banking institutions is
indispensable for the safety of the funds Of
the government, and the rights of the peo-
pie.
8. That we are decidedly opposed to tax
ing from the President the qualified veto
power by which he is enabled, under re-
strictions and responsibilities amply sufic-
lent to guard the public interests, to suspend
the passage of bill whose merits cannot
secure the approval of two thirds of the
senate and house of representatives, until
the Judgment of the people can be obtained
thereon, and which has saved the American
people from corrupt and tyrannical domina-
ton of the bank of the United States, and
from a corrupting system of general inter
nal improvements.
10. That the liberal principles embodied
by Jefferson in the Declaration of Indepen-
dence, and sanctioned in the constitution
which makes ours the land of liberty, and
the asylum of the oppressed of every nation
have ever been cardinal principles in the
democratic faith, and every attempt tc
.abridgo the privilege of becoming citizen,
and owners Of soil among us, ought to be
resisted with the same spirit which swept
the alien and sedition laws from our statute
books.
And. Whereas, Since the foregoing dec
.laration was uniformly adopted By our pre-
sdecessors in national conventions,an adverse
political and religious test has been secretly
organized by party claiming to be exclu
sively American, it is proper that the Amer
lean democracy should clearly define its re
lations thereto, and declare its determined
opposition to all secret political societies, BY
whatever name they may be called.
ResoLved, That the foundation of thi
union of states having been laid in, and it
prosperity, expansion and pre-eminent exam
pie in free government built upon entire free
dom in matters of religious concernmentaD'
no respect of person in regard to rank or plae
l. L.. l.,or al,