M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1856-10-02
The Democratic Platform AdOp-
ted az the Cincinnnti National
COnVpuiiOlR,

place their trust in the intelligence, the pat
riotism, and the discriminating justice Of
the American people.
ReSolred, That we regard this as d'stinc-
tive feature of our political creed which we
are proud to maintain before the world, as
the great moral element in form OF govern
ment springing from and up held by the popu-
lar willard we contrast it with the creed and
practice Of Federalism, under whatever name
orlom, which seeks to palsy the will of the
constituent, and which conceiyes no impos-
ture too monstTous for the popular creduli-
".
Resolrtd, therefore, That entertaining these
views, the Democratic party of the Union,
through their delegates assembled in a general
Convention, coming together in splnl OF
concord, Of devotion TO the doctrines and
faith of free representative government
and appealing to their fellow citizens for the
rectitude of their intentions, renew and re-
assert before the American people the declara-
tious of principles avOwed by them when on
former occasions, in general Convention,
they have presented their candidates for popu-
lar suffrages.
|. That the Federal Government is one oil
limited power, derived solely from the Con
stitution; that the grants Of power, therein
ought to be strictly construed By all the de-
partments and agents Of the Government
and it is nexpejient and dangerous TO exer>
else doubtful constitutional powers.
9. That the Constitution does not confer
upon the General Government the power to
commence and carry on general system oi
internal Improvements.
3. That the Constitution does not confer
authority upon the Federal Government, di-
rectIy 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
expedent.
d. That justice and sound policy forbid the
Federal Government to foster one branch OF
industry 10 the detTment 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
section of the country has a right to
demand and insist upon an equality of rights
and privileges, and to complete and ample
protection of persons and property from
domestic violence or foreign aggression.
3. That it is the duty of every branch Of
the Government TO enforce and practice the
most rigid economy in conducting our pub
lie affairs, and that no more revenue ought
TO be raised than is required to deiray the
necessary expenses of the Government, and
for the gradual, but certain extinction OF the
public debt. -,
6. That the proceeds Of the puolic lands
ought to be sacredly applied to the national
objects specified in the Constitution and
that we are opposed to any law for the dis
tribution OF such proceeds among the States,
as alike ihexpedient in policy and repugnant
to the Constitution.
z. That Congress has no power to charter
national bank that we deem such an in
sItution one of deadly hostility TO the best
interests of the country; dangerous to or.
republican institutions and the liberties Of
the people, and calculated TO place the busi-
ness of the county within the control of a.
concentrated money power, and above the
laws and the will of the people and that
the results of Democratic legislation in
this and all other financial measures upon
which issues have been made between the
two politica! parties of the country, have
demonstrated TO candid and practical men
of all parties, their 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-
p1e.
8. That we are decidedly opposed TO ia.
king from the President the qualified veto
poverty which he is enabled, under restriC-
lions and responsibilities amply sufficient to
guard the public interests,t to suspend the pas
sage 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 the cor
rupt and tyrannical domination of the Bark
of the United States and from cOnupting
system Of general internal Improvements.
TO- That the liberal princi pies embodied by
Jefferson in the Declaration Of Independence
and sanctioned in the Constitution, which
makes ours the land of liberty and the asy.
lum of the oppressed Of every nation, have
ever been cardinal principles in the the Dem.
ocratic faith, and every attempt 10 abridge
the privelige of becoming citizens and ow-
ners Of soil among us ought TO be resisted
with the same spirit which swept the alien
and sedition laws from our statute books.
hnl WHEREAS, Since the foregoing de-.
cIaration uniformly adopted by our pre-
deCessors in National Conventions, an ad.
verse political and religious test has been
secretly organized by party claiming to be
exclusively American, it is proper that the
American Democracy should clearly define
its relations thereto, and declare its deter.
mined opposition to all secret political soci-
ties, by whatever name they may be called.
ResolUed, That the foundation Of this un.
ion of States having been laid in, and its
prosperity, expansion and preemnent ex'
ample in free government built upon entirt
freedom of matters Of religious 1oncernment
and no respect of persons in regard to ranl
or place Of birth no party can justly b,
deemed national, or in accordance will
American principles, which bases its exclu
siye organization upon religious opinions
and accidental birthplace. And hence {
political crusade in the nineteenth century
aud in the United States of America, agains
Catholics and foreign born citizens is neithe
justified by the past history or the future pros
nertc nf the rnunirv nor in unisnn wi h fla,