Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1856-08-28
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIcP PLATFORM

] ReSolred That the American Democracy pac,
their trust in the intelligence. the patriotism ant
discriminating justice of the American people.
! Resotred, That we regard this distinctive fea
ture of our political creed which we are proud tC
maintain before the world, the great moral ele
ment in aiorm of government sprngng from and
upheld by the popular WILL and we contrast it with
/ the creed and practice of Federalism, under what
ever name and form, which seeks to palsy the will
! of the constituent; and which conceives no impos
turo too monstrous for the public credulitv.
! ResOlred, therefore, That, entertaining these
views, the Democratic party of this Union through
their delegates assembled in general Convention
coming together i'll spirit of concord, of devotion
to the doctrines and faith of free representative
government, and appealing to their fellow citizens
for the rcctitude of their intentions, and re
assure before the American people the declarations
of principles avowed by them on former occasions
in general Convention, they have presented their
candidates for popular suilragcs.
l. That the Federal government is one of limit
ed power, derived solely from the Constitution; and
the grants of power made therein ought to be strict
" construed by all the departments and agents OF
the government; and that it is nexpeden: and dan
gerOus TO exercise doubtful constitutional powers
=. That the Constitution does not confer upon
the General Government the power to commence
and carry on general system of internal improve
ments.
,. That the Constitution does not confer author
ty upon the Federal Government, directly or indi-
recty, to assume the debts of the several States,
contracted for local and internal improvements, or
other State purposes, nor would such assumption
be Just expedient.
4. That justice and sound policy forbid the Fed
oral Government TO foster one branch of industry
to the detrimen of any other, to cherish the in
erests of portion to the injury of another por-
ton of our common country: that every citizen and
every section of the country has right to demand
and insist upon equality of rights and privileges,
and to complete ample protection of persons and
property from domestic violence or foreign agrees
ion.
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 necessary expenses of the Govern
ment, and for the gradual but certain extinction of
the public debt.
6. That the proceeds of the public funds ought to
be sacredy applied to the national objects specified
in the Constitution; and that are opposed to any
law for the distribution of such proceeds among the
States, alike nexpedent in policy and repugnant
to the Constitution
7. That Congress has no power to charter a ma
tonal bank; that we believe such an institution
of deadly hostility to the best interests of the coun
try, dangerous to our republican institutions and
the liberties of the people, and calculated to place
the business of the country within the control of
concentrated money power, and above tie 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 be-
tween the two political parties of the country have
demonstrated to candid and practical men of all
PARTIES their s0undncss, safety and utility in all bu
sncss pursuits.
g. That the separation Of the moneys of the
Government from banking institutions is indispen-
sable for the safety of the funds of the Government
and the rights of the people.
o. That we are decidedly opposed to taking from
the President the qualified veto power; by which he
Is enabled under restrictions and responsibilities
amply sufficient to 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 Uni
ted States, and from a coruptng system of gener-
al internal improvements.
10. That the liberal principles embodied by JEFF
ferson in tho Dec'aaation Of Independence. ond