True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-07-02
Platform of the Union Convention at
Philadelphia.

visions, who are opposed to the repeal OF
the Missouri Compromise to the policy
of the present administration ; to the ex'
tension of slavery into free territory; in
favor of the admission of Kansas as a
free State Of restoring the action Of the
federal government 10 the principles of
Washington and Jefferson and for the
purpose Of presenting candidates for the
offices of President and Vice President,
do.
ReSolUed, That the maintenance of the
principles promulgated in the Declaration
Of independence, and embodied in the
Federal Constitution, are essential to the
preservation of our Republican institu-
tons, and that the Federal Constitution,
the rights Of the States, must and shall
be preserved.
Resolued, That with our Republican
fathers, we hold it to be self evident
truth that all men are endowed with the
inalienable right to life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness. and that the prima
ry, object and ulterior design of our Fed
eral Government were to secure these
rights to all persons within its exclusive
jurisdiction.
That as our Republican fathers, when
they had abolished slavery in all our Ma.
tional Territory ordained that no person
shall be deprived of life, liberty or prop
erty, without due process Of law, it be-
comes our duty TO maintain this provis-
ion of the Constitution against all attempts
to violate it for the purpose Of establish
ing slavery in the United States by posi-
tive legislation prohibiting its existence
or extension therein.
That we deny the authority oil Congress
of Territorial Legislature, of any indi-
vidual or association of individuals to
give legal existence to slavery in any
Territory of The United States, while the
present Constitution shall be maintained.
ReSolued, That the Constitution con.
fers upon Congress sovereign power over
the Territories ofthe United States, fol
their government, and that in the exercise
. of this power, it is both the right and The
| duty Of Congress 10 prohibit in the ter.
, ritories those twin relics Of barbarism
: polygamy and slavery.
{ Resolued, That while the Constitution
: of the United States was ordained ant
: established by the people in order tt
y form more perfect union, establish jus
! tice, insure domestic tranquility; provide
= for the common defence, promote tn
/, general welfare, and secure the blessings
D of liberty and contains ample provisions
y for the protection of the life, liberty an
: property of every citizen, the deares
}, constitutional rights of the people of Kan
sas have been fraudulently and violentl
taken from them.
e Their territory has been invaded by al
!, armed force.
g Spurious and pretended legislative, ju
a dicial and executive officers have bee
set over them, by whose usurped al
q thority, sustained by the military powe
of the government, tyrannical and uncor
: stitutional laws have been enacted an
et enforced.
* The right of the people to keep ar
a. bear arms has been infIinged test oatl
of an extraordinary and entangling natur
have been imposed as condition of C!
ercising the right of suffrage and holdin
office.
MS The right of an accused person to
,e speedy and public trial by an imparti
=. jury has been denied.
The right of the people to be secure
~ their persons, houses, papers and effect
1t against unreasonable searches and sci
a ures, has been violated.
he They have been deprived of life, lbt
on ,y and properly, without due process
law.
d. That the freedom of speech and of {
'm press has been abridged.
est The right to choose their represen
at lives has been made of no effect
~, Murders, robberies and arsons ha
'' been instigated and encouraged, and
offenders have been allowed 10 GO unpl
o a ished.
ant Tha, all these things have been dc
ike with the knowled dge, sanction and p
:, curement of the present administrati
Vic and that for this high crime against
les. Constitution, the Union and humani
J TO we arraign that'adminisration, the Pr
S. dent, his advisers, agents, support'
ver apologisis and accessories, either bcf
or after the fact. before the country
rat before the world and that it is our Fl
my purpose to bring the actual perpe.ra
our of these atrocious outrages, and their
its completes, to sure and condign puni
;.,, ment hereafter,
ill., Resolued, That Kansas should be
""s medialely admitted as a State of
we Union, with her present free Constitut
a in as at once the most eA'ectual way of
curing TO her citizens the enjoyment
g. the right and prive lises to which they
feat. entitled, and Of ending the civil strife
are raging in her territory.
as Resolued, That the highwayman's r
now that might makes right, embodied in
in a Ostend circular, was in every res pect
snr. ~ worthy Of American diplomacy and W
owl bring shame and dishonor upon any
ruth. ernment or people that gave it their s
,a.,s tion. .....
auao ResolUed, That railroad TO the
oxen cifc ocean, by the most central praC
forty y,o .n :. :Ou'e' 10 l@Perauve, us' "n,a,.,,
" and that the federal government ought to
q e., der immediate and efficient aid in its
~ sLrnctnn and na q n auxiliary therei