The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1856-08-19

great moral element in form of government
springing from and upheld by the popular
will; and we contrast it with the creed and
practice of Federalism, under whatever name
or form, which seeks to palsy the will of the
constituent, and which conceives no impos-
ture too monstrous for the popular credulity
Resolved Therefore, that entertaining
these views the Democratic party Of the
Union, through their delegates assembled in
general convention, coming together in a
spirit of concord, of devotion to the doctrines
and faith Of FREQ representative government,
and appealing to their fellow citizens for the
rectitude of their intentions, renew and re-as-
sert before the American people, the declara-
ton of principles avowed by them when, on
former occasions, in general convention, they
have presented their candidates for the popu-
lar 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 danger
ous to exercise doubtful constitutional power.
2. 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 does not confer
upon the federal government, directly, or in
directly, to assume the debts Of the several
States, contracted for locsl and internal i'm
provements, or other state purposes: 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 deteriment Of any olher 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 right 10 demand and in
sist upon an equality Of rights and privileges,
and to complete an ample protection Of per-
sons and property from domestic violence or
foreign aggression.
5. That it is the duty Of every branch of
the government to enforce and practice the
most rigid economy in conducting our public
affairs, and that no more revenue ought to
be raised than is required to defray the nee
essary expenses of the government, and for
the gradual, but certain extinction OF tic pub
lie debt.
8. That the proceeds of the public lands
ought TO be sacrediy applied to tho 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 a like inexpedient in policy, end repugzant
to the constitution.
z. That Congress has no power to charter
a national bank; that we believe such Gu in
siitution one of deadly hostility to tie best
interests Of the country, dangerous TO our re-
publican institutions and the liberties OF the
people, and calculated to place the business
of the country within The control of con-
centrated 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 two political parties of
the country have demonstrated TO candid ard
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 people.
9. That we are decidedly opposed to Ia
king from the President the qualified veto
power, by which he is enabled under restric-
tions and responsibilities amply sufficient 10
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
the corrupt and tyrannical domination of the
Bank Of the United States, and from cor
rupting system of general international i'm
provements.
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 of demo-
cratic faith, and every attempt TO abridge the
privilege of becoming citizens and the owners
of soil among us, ought 10 be resisted with
the same spirit which swept the alien and Sc
dition laws from our statute books.
And whereas, Since the foregoing declara-
tion was uniformly adopted by our predeces-
sors in national conventions, an adverse polt-
ical and religious test has been secretly orga-
nized by party claiming TO be exclusively
American, it is proper that the American de-
mocracy should clearly define its relations
thereto, and declare its determined opposi-
tion to all secret political societies, by what
ever name they may be called.
Resolved, That the foundation of this
union of states having been laid in, and its
prosperity, expansion and pre-eminent exam
pie in free government, built upon entire free
dom in matters of religious concernment, and
no respect ofpcrsons in regard TO rank or place
of birth; no party can justly be deemed ma
tional constitutional, or in accordance with
American principles, which bases its exclusive
organization upon religious opinions and acci-
dental birth place. And hence a political
crusade in the nineteenth century and in the
United States of America, against Catholics
and foreign born, is neither justified by the
past history or the future prospects of the
country, nor in unison with the spirit Of toll
Grafton and enlarged freedom which peculiar
ly distinguished the American system Of pop
ular government
IN ri 81