The Placer herald., 1856-03-22
>FNOCRATTC CENTRAL COMMITTEE
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
ADOPTED AT THE STATE CONVENTION, HELD AT SAC
RAMENTO CITY. MARCH 5Tn. 1856.

of those principles are 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 our country has advanced
with such unparalleled rapidity TO power and
greatness should be clearly set forth, not only to
guide the party in its fnture action but to exhibit
the wisdom, the patriotism, and the exalted love
of liberty in its broadeSt sense. of the iustrious
! ofunderS of our faith. Therefore
Resolped. That we inscribe on our banner the
! following principles of our political faith, which
were proclaimed by the immortal Jefferson. sus-
tained and enforced by the illustrious Jackson.
and which have been adhered to by the friends of
liberty and humanity to the present period. to-wt:
\ 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 or political.
Strict economy aud 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 peculation.
An undertaking adherence to the universal
standard OF value of gold and silver. that honest
industry may receive its Just reward. and the gem
eral interests of the country be securely and per-
| manently established.
/ Universal suffrage unreStyicted by property
/ qualifications. that every citizen may enjoy the
highest gatiye Of freeman. on the basis of
his manhood, and not of his property.
Ll6eral naturalization lars. that the oppressed
of every nation may speedily secure the blessings
Of liberty guaranteed by our national Constitu-
tion, 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 surest bulwarks
against anti-republcan tendencies.
The preservation of the General Government in
its whole constitutional yigor, the sheet anchor
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 acquiesceuce 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 despotism.
Jnlrersai edUcatj0H, 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 religion. freedom of the press, free
dom Of person, under the protection Of the habeas
corpus. and tried by iuries mparially selected.
That although Democrats may have differed in
opinions upon the eXpediency Of the Missouri
Compromise. yet, as that question is now a by-gone
issue, are ready to resist its restoration as in
eXpedient and unwise, and recognize in the prin-
ciple Of popular sovereignty. as embraced in
the Compromise Measures of 1850. and the Balti
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 appropriation by the
General Government of land sufficient to secure
its speedy completion.
We are in favor Of "Unon and Liberty. now
and forever one and inseparable.'
We dpmau nd of the General Government the
prompt construction of the necessary fortitcatons
upon this coast. to afford protection to the great
interests of this State The establishment of
United States Arsenal. with such supplies and mu-
nitiOns Of war as will enable the citizens of this
State to protect themselves against Indian aggres
siOns or foreign invasions
We are opposed to all secret political organiza-
tions, regarding them as subvorSive of the great
principles upon which our institutions are based,
and dangerous to liberty. We are opposed to that
party falsely called American which recklessly
assals the sacred rights of conscience proscribes
naturalzed American citizens. assals all the
great doctrines secured by the heroism of the rev
oluton, 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 organizations
the formation of parties upon geographical divi-
sons, and the agitation of the question of slavery.
Resolred That we approve of the principles
and policy of the Administration of President
Pierce. and urge their adoption and enforcement
upon all succeeding Administrations.
Resolved, That we are in favor of the most lib
cral appropriation by the General Government, of
the public lands in California. for the benefit of
actual settlers in limited quantities. and that we
are in favor of protecting the actual settler in all
his Just equi table 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 lamentcd
Polk during the war with Mexico, which resulted
in the acquisition of the territory we 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
Resolyed, That the members of this Convention,
in expressing our ardent desire for the nomination
and triumphant election of the Hon. James Bu-
chanan as President of the United States do but
give utterance to the wishes of an immense ma
jOriy Of the Democracy of the State Of California.
Res0lued. That the delegates elected by this
Convention to the Democratic National Conven-
tion 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-
vania.
ReSolyed That the Democratic party still adj
heres to that policy which has already filled our
with hardy and prosperous miners, and
built up for our State that prosperity which has so
marked her brief history-To the
miners belongs the regulation of the mines.
Resolved, That our delegates be, and they are
hereby instructed to supporl no man for President
or Vice President of the United States who is not
a sound national democrat, in favor of preserving
the Union at all hazards, and of protecting the