Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-06-27

ted as follows;
THE PLATFORM.
This Convention of Delegates assembled
in pursuance of call addressed TO the peo-
pie of The United States without regard Ia
past political differences or divisions who
are opposed TO the repeal Of the Missouri
Compromise; to the policy Of the present
administration TO the extension OF slavery
into free territory m favor of the admission
of Kansas as a free State; of restoring the
nction of the federal government to the prln-
ciples OF Washington and Jefferson. and for
the purpose of presenting candidates for the
offices OF President and Vice President, do
resolve
RESOLVED, That the maintenance Of the
principles promulgated In the Declaration OF
Independence and embodied IN the Federal
Constitution are essential 10 the preservation
Of our Republican interests, and that the
Federal Constitution, the rights Of the States,
and the Union Of the States must and should
be preserved.
Resolped, That with our Republican "a.
theirs we hold il to be a self-cvdent truth
that all men are endowed with the lnaliena-
bic RICH, Of liberty and the pursuit Of hap
piness, and that the primary objec. ard ute
Nor design OF our federal government went
70 secure these rights to all persons under
It's exclusive jurisdiction; that as "ur repub-
lcau fathers, when they had abolished slave
~ in all our national territory, ordered that
no person should be deprived Of life, liberty
or property without due process Of law, It be.
comes our duty to maintain this provision of
their constitution against all attempts 10 vlo-
late it for the purpose Of establishing slave
~ IN the territories Of the United States, by
positive legislation prohibiting It's existence
or extension therein.
RsS0ipsd, That the Constitution confers
upon Congress sovereign power over the ter
riiurios Of the United States, for their gov
eminent, aid that IN the exercise of this
power it is the right and imperative duty of
Congress TO prohibit In the territories those
twin relics Of barbarism, polygamy and slave.
ry.
Resoired, That while the Constitution Of
the United States was ordained by the PEG
pie in order to form a more perfect union,
and establish justice, insure domestic tran
guilty, provide for the common defence, pro-
mote the general welfare, and secure the
blessings of liberty, and contains ample pros
visions for the protection OF the life, liberty
and properly of every citizen, the dearest
constitutional rights of the people of Kan
sas have been traudulently taken from them
their territory has been invaded by an armed
force spurious and pretended Legislative,
judicial, and executive officers have been
set over them. by whose usnrped authority
sustained by the military power of the gov
eminent, tyranncal and unconstitutional laws
have been enacted and enforced, the night of
the people to keep and bear arms has been
Inrlnged, test oath5 of an extraordinary and I
nature have been imposed as a
condition cf exercising the right of suffrage
and holding office. the right of an accused
person to speedy and public trial by an mn
partial Jury has been denied the right of
The people to be secure in their persons.
houses, papers and effects against unreason- ,
able searches and seizures, has been violat- =
ed; they have heen deprived Of life, liberty q
and property, without due process Of law /,
Inc freedom Of speech and Of the press has
been abridged; the right TO choose their
representatives has been made Of no effect
murders. robberes and arsons have been in
surated or encouraged, and the offenders
have been allowed TO 90 unpunished. That
nil these things have been done with the .
knowledge, sanction and procurement OF the /
prese.t national administration, and that Tor
ihis hinh CRIME against the Constitution, the
Union, and humanity. we arraign the nd
minislraton, the President, his advisers, a.
gents. supporters, apologlsts and accessories.
either before or after the fact before the cOun
try and before the world aud that 1t Is our
fixed purpose TO bring the actual perpe,ra
tors OF these atrocious oulrages and their nc
completes to a sure and condgn punishment
hereafter.
Resolved, That Kansas should be immed
ately admitted as a free State of this Union
with her present free constitution, as at once
the most efIcctual way of securing to her
citizens the enjoyment oil the rights and priv.
ileges to which they are entitled, and of en-
ding the civil strife now raging IN the Terri
tory.
Resolred, That the highwayman's plea
that " might makes right" embodied in the
Ostend Circular, was IN every respect IN.
worthy Of American diplomacy, and would
bring shame and dishonor upon any govern
ment or people that gave It their sanction.
Resoired, That RLilroad 10 the Pacific
Ocean, by the most central and practical
route, is lmperatlyely demanded by the inter-
esls of the whole country, and that the Fed
eral Government ought to render immediate
and efficient aid 10 It's construction and as
AN auxiliary thereto, the immediate construc-
lion Of nm emigrant route on the line Of the
railroad
Resolved, That appropriations by Congress
for the improvement of rivers and harbors,
of q national character, required for the &C.
commodauon and security of our existing
commerce, are authorized by the Constltu.
ton, anG justified by the obligation OF gov.
eminent, TO protect the lives and property of
its eitizenss
Resoiued, That we invite the utilization
and cooperation of all parties, however DIFF
fering from US 10 other respects, in support of
the principles herein declared.
And believing that the spirit of our insti-
tutions, as well as the Constitution of our
country, guarantees liberty Of Coincidence
and equality of rights among our citizens
we oppose all lproscnptvel legislation in
pairing their security.
The reading Of the Platform by Mr.. Wi
mot, was frequently interrupted by loud APP
pause.
Mr. Patterson, Of New York, moved for
the unanimous adoption Of the resolutions
when Thaddeus Stevens, Of Pa, said he sub
scrbed heartily to every sentiment Of The
platform, but thers was one line in il, which.
as !, reads, would be misunderstood to the
fatal prejudice Of the parry. lie moved to
recotnmlt and strike out the last paragraph.
A discussion ensued, and the motion 10
recommit was Withdrawn.
Other attempts were made to modify the
resolution in question: and finally motion
TO strike out the work "pfoscuplye7 was
carried, and the resolution as amended was
adopted
The whole platform vas then adopted.
A motion vas made that the convention
proceed 10 ballot for candidates, when de-
bate ensued, whether TO proceed to formal or
inform ballot.
During the debate on the ballot the names
of Messrs. Chase and Mclean we're with
drawn.
The Convention adjourned I'LL SPIN.
EUening.
The Convention reassembled at o'clock,
and being called to order, The President an
nounced that the Chairman Of the Republi-
can National Executive Committee had a
communication TO present to the Conyen-