The Placer herald., 1856-03-29
DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE.
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
ADOPTED AT THE STATE CONVENTION, HELD AT SA
RAMENTo CITY, MARCH 5TH. 1856.

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the principles and action of the Democratic party.
find tchereaS The preservation and perpetuaton
of those principles essential to the security of
! liberty. and the integrity of the union of these
States, it is therefore, fitting and proper that the
cardinal principles of the Democratic party, by
the influence of which country has advanced
with such unparalleled rapidty TO power and
greatness should be clearly set forth, not only to
guide the party in its future action. but to exhibit
the WISDOM the patriotism. and the exalted love
of liberty in its broadest sense of the illustrious
otunders of our faith. Therefore
Resolred, That we inscribe on our banner the
following principles of our political faith which
were proclaimed by the immortal Jefferson, slls-
tanned and enforced by the illustrous Jackson.
and which have been adhered to by the friends of
liberty and humanity to the present period to-wt:
A strict construction OF the Constitution, that
the honest will Of the people may be carried out.
Equal justice to all men, of whatever State or
persuasion, religious political.
Strict economy and rigid accountability in all
! the Departments of Government
To secure which we are in favor of the prompt
arraignment and punishment of all public officers
convicted of peculaton.
An undertaking adherence to the universal
standard of value of gold and silver. that honest
industry may receive its just reward. aud the gem
cral interests of the country be securely aud per-
manently established
| Universal suffrage, unrestricted by property
/ qualifications, that every citizen may enjoy the
/ IL
his manhood. and not of his property.
! Liberal naturalization lars. that the oppressed
of every nation may speedily secure the blessings
of liberty guaranteed by our national Constitu-
ton, after reaching 1.-THE land of the free and
home of the oppressed
The support of the State Government in all
their rights as the most competent administrations
for our domestic concerns, and the surcst bulwarks
against antrepublican tendencies.
The preservation of the General Gov ernment in
a. I i I
| of our peace at home and safety abroad.
Jealous care of the right of election by the
people, and prompt and exemplary punishment of
all frauds upon the elective franchise.
Absolute acquiescence in the decisions of the
majority. the vital principle Of republics, from
which there is no appeal but to force, the vital
principle and immediate parent Of dcspoism.
| Lnicersdi education. and the prompt arraign-
ment of all abuses at the bar of public reason.
The honest payment of our debts. and the sa-
cred preservation Of the public faith.
Freedom of igion, freedom of the press free
dom of person, under the protection of the hadeas
corpus. and tried by uries mpartially selected.
That although Democrats may have differed in
opinions upon the eXpedency Of the Missouri
Compromise, yet as that question is now by-gone
issue. we are ready to resist its restoration as in
expedent and unwise, and recognize in the prin-
ciple of popular sovereignty' embraced in
the Compromise Measures of 1850. and the Balt-
more platform of 1852. and subsequently, embod
led in the Kansas Nebraska bill, as the one great
issue before the American people at this time:
and we will cherish and maintain such principles
as the sheet-anChor Of our hopes and will uphold
it as the only sure means Of pcrpetuating our
government through all time to come.
The prompt construction of the Atlantic and
Pacific Railroad. And. means Of accomplish
ing this great result. an appropriation by the
General Government of land sufficient to secure
its speedy completion.
We are in favor of Union and Liberty, now
and forever, one and inseparable.'
We demand of the General Government the
prompt construction of the necessary Notifications
upon this coast to afford protection to the great
interests of this State. The establishment of a
United States Arsenal. with such supplies and mll-
nitions of as will enable the citizens of this
Stat to protect themselves against Indian aggres-
sions foreign invasions
We are opposed to all secret political Organza- |
tiOns, regarding them as subverSve of the great !
principles upon which our institutions are based, |
and dangerous to liberty. We are opposed to that
party (falsely called American) which rcckessly |
assails the sacred rights of conscience. proscribes
naturalized American citizens. assails all the
great doctrines secured by the heroism of the
oution and established by the wisdom and pa
triotism of the founders Of the Republic; and yet,
hypocritically profess attachment ito the purer
days of the Republic. and invoke the spirit of |
heroism. patriotism and virtue that precipitated
the Revolution" and declare that Americans |
shall rule America
We are opposed to all sectional organization |
the formation of parties upon geographical divi |
sons, and the agitation Of the question of slavery.
Res0lred, That we approve of the principles |
and policy of the Administration of President |
Pierce. and urge their adoption and enforcement
upon all succeeding Administrations.
Res0ired, That are in favor of the most lib |
eral appropriation by the General Government, of
the public lands in California. for the benefit Of
actual settlers in limited quantities: and that
in favor of protecting the actual settler in all
his just, equitable and legal rights.
Resolred, That in common with large major
ity of the people of California, the members Of
this Convention have unbounded confidence in the
integrity great ability, sterling Democracy and
ardent devotion to country, of the Hon. JAMES
BUCHANAN, of Pennsy lvania; that we have not
forgotten the distinguished services by him rem
dered as Secretary of State under the lamented |
Polk, during the war with Mexico, which resulted
in the acquisition of the territory we now occupy
nor have we failed to appreciate his fearless bear
ing and discreet action our Minister to Great
Britain during the discussion Of questions highly
important to the interests as well as the honor of
his country, therefore be it
Resolved, That the members of this Convention
in expressing ardent desire for the nomination
and triumphant election of the Hon. James BI-
chanan as President of the United States, do but
give utterance to the wishes of an immense ma
Jorty OF the Democracy OF the state OF California.
ResOired, That the delegates elected by this
Convention to the Democratic National Conven-
ton be, and they are hereby instructed that it is
the earnest and unanimous desire of the Democ-
racy of the State of California that the nomina-
tion for President of the United States shall be
given to the Hon. James Buchanan, of Pennsyl-
vana.
Resolved, That the Democratic party still ad-
heres to that policy which has already filled our
maintains with hardy and DrOsDorOuS miners and
built up for State that prosperity which has so
wonderfully marked her brief history-To the
miners belongs the regulation of the mines.
Resoiued, That our delegates be, and they are
hereby instructed to supporl no man for President