Kanawha Valley star. [volume] (Charleston, Va. [W. Va.]) 1856-1861, 1856-09-30
Democratic National Platform.

tfacy place their trust in the intelligence,
the patriotism and the discriminating
ustice Of the American, people.
Rssolsed, That we regard this as a
distinctive feature Of our political creed,
which we are proud to maintain before
the world. as the great moral element in
form Of government springiug from and
upheld BY the popular will; and we con-
trast il with the creed and practice OF
federalism, under whatever name or
form, which seeks to palsy the win Of
the constituent. and which conceiyes no
imposture too monstrous for the popular
credulity., 7 2
RESOLVED, therefore, That, entertaining
these views, the Democratic party Of this
Union, through their delegates assembled
in general Convention. coming togetht
er in spirit Of. concord, of devotion to
the doctrines and faith of free represen-
tative government. and appealing to their
fellow citizens for the rectitude of their
intentions, renew and reassert before the
American peoplethe declarations Of prin-
ciples avowed by them when on former
occasions, in general Convention, they
have presented their candidates for pop
ular suffrages. . .'r,:, ,r..:. - {: F.
i. That the Federal Government is
one of limited power, derived solely from
the Con s.itution; and the grants ofpower
made therein ought to be strictly CON-
strued by all the departments and agents
of the Government; and that it is mex
pedient ana dangerous to exercise doubt.
full constitutional powers. y .-
E. That the Constitution does not con-
fer upon the General, Government the
power to commence and carry on a gem
eral system of internal Improvements. ~
u: s.. That the Constitution does not con.
fer authority upon the Federal Govern
ment, directly or indirectly, to assume
the debts Of the several States, contract
ed for local and internal improvements,
or other State purposes, nor would such
assumption be just or expedient. .
A. That justice and sound policy for
bid 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 por-
ion Of our common country that every
citizen and every section of the country
has a right 10 demand and insist upon an
equality of rights and privileges, and to
complete an ample protection of persons
and property from domestic violence or
foreign aggression. r..
= s.. That it is the duty Of every branch
of the Government to enforce and prac-
.tice the most rigid economy in conduct
ing our public affairs, and that no more
revenue ought to be raised than is re-
quired to defray. the necessary expenses
Of the Government, and for the gradual,
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 Consti-
tuition and that we are. opposed to any
law for the distribution Of such proceeds
among the States, as alike inexpedient in
policy and repugnapt to the Constitution.
7. That Congress has no power to
charter a. national bank that we believe
such an Institution one Of deadly hostili
ty to the best interests of; the country,
dangerous to our public institutions and
the liberties Of the people, and calculated
70 place the business of the country with:
in the control of a concentrated money
power, and above the laws and the will of
the people; and that the results of Dem
ocratic Legislation in this and all. other
financial measures upon which issues
have been made between the two politi-.
cal parties Of the country, have demon
strated to candid and practical men of all
parties, their soundness. safety and utili-
y in all business pursuits. f..
r 8. That the separation Of the moneys
Of the Government from banking institu-
ions is indispensable for the salty of the
FUNDS OF the Government and the rights
Dfthe people. f. I..ll r
8. That we are decidedly. opposed to
2aking from the President the qualified
veto power, by which he is enabled. UNI
restrictions and responsibilities amply
sufficient to guard the public interests, to
suspend the passage Of a bill whose mer-
its cannot secure the approval Of two
thirds Of the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatives. until the Judgment Of the peo-
pie can be obtained thereon. and which
has saved the American people from the
corrupt and tyranical domination of the
Bank Of the United States, and from a
eorrupting system Of general internal i'm
provements. I.-. ., ~
10. That the liberal principles embo-
died by Jefferson in the Declaration of
Independence, and sanctioned in the
Constitution, which makes ours the land
of liberty and the asylum of the Cypress
ID Of every nation, have ever been cardi-
nal principles in the Democratic faith,
snd every attempt to abridge the zpriyi-
lege OF becoming citizens and the owners
OF soilamongtus, ought 70 be resisted
With the same spirit which swept the
lien and sedition laws from our statute
books. p
Aaa whereas. Since the foregoing dec.
lara.ion was uniformity adopted by our
predecessors in National Conventions,
AN adverse political and religious test has
been secretly organized by q party claim.
ing 70 be exclusively American, il Is pro-
per that the American Democracy sho'd
clearly define its relations thereto, and