Washington sentinel., 1856-05-17

representative of his country at foreign court.
But the Democratic party of Pennsylvania,
and of other States, were not willing to lose
his future services to his country. His native
State put the ball of public opinion and of the
peoples wishes in motion, and with one undi-
vided and emphatic voice declared him to be
their choice for the Chief Magistracy of the
Republic. The Democratic party ofthat State,
assembled in convention, by their representa-
tives, on the 4th of March last (l856,) pro.
nounced that choice, by giving him unanimous
nomination. They established platform of
principles" upon which they placed their
chosen candidate, and with full knowledge
that they we're right, endorsed his fidelity to
the principles it declared, by unanimous
vote! Their candidate, at the time these
resolutions were prepared and adopted, and for
more than month afterwards, was at the
other side of the Atlantic; and hence they
constitute the "plattorm Of the Democratic
party Of Pennsylvania without any interference
by the candidate selected to stand upon them,
and whose fidelity was pledged in their support.
In our issue Of Tuesday last, we published
the entire proceedings had at " Wheatland,"
the home of Mr.. BUCHANAN, on the 8th Of the
present month, upon the announcement for
mally made to him of his nomination by the
State Convention. We copied the proceedings
The address of the committee appointed by
the convention for that purpose, which was
truly impressive and eloquent, embraced the
resolutions referring to the principles and
measures of the Democratic creed" These
resolutions are subjoined, followed by his reply,
accepting the nomination, and cordially en-
dorsing the Democratic platform established
by the convention Let them be carefully Pc
rused by all who may desire light in regard to
Mr.. BUcHANANs views on the Kansas Ne
braska biU'-"Me Know-nothing creed'--or
any of the great principles which give vitality
to our institutions, and we think no more
questions need be asked npon these subjects.
The fears of very discreet friends and "neu-
trails" trust, will be allayed now and forever.
The political record of JAMES BUCHANAN has
been completed by himself, and now forms
platform which every section of the Union can
stand upon.
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM OF
PENNSYLVANIA.
Resolped, That in the present distracted con-
diton of parties, in which sectional and partial
issues have been allowed to attain a dangerous
supremacy we recognise in the policy Of the
Democratic party, that which rests upon the
Constitution as its basis; and that it is the
party which above all others has, in the Ian
guage ofthe illustrious Madison, ever continued
to hold the Union of the States as the basis
of their peace and happiness; to support the
Constitution, which is the cement Of the Union,
as well in its limitations as its authorities to
respect the rights and authorities reserved to
the States and to the people, as equally incor
porated with, and essential to, the success of
the general system; and to avoid the slightest
interference with the rights of conscience or the
functions of religion, SO wisely exempted from
civil jurisdiction"
Resolced, That by the general consent Of the
wise and virtuous of all nations, the trainers of
the Republic of the United States, exhibited in
their individual characters and in the result of
their public deliberations, degree of virtue
and practical craftsmanship to which the
history of the world affords no parallel; that in
no part OF the Federal compact is the wisdom
OF our Fathers more conspicuous, than in leav-
ing the whole question OF slavery to the States
in their separate capacities, and that in the pro-
vision for the re.deivery of fugitives escaped
from labor or service, they demonstrated
sense OF justice, an appreciation of the value Of
the Union, an attachment to its preservation,
an avoidance Of one sided philanthropy and
impractcable theories Of government, which
present a proper example for the guidance and
imitation Of us their descendants.
ReSotred, That we look only to the Constitu.
ton, and the exposition thereof which has been
afforded by the practices Of Democratic admin.
istrations, for the chart of our policy. That
these constitute, until the fundamental law is
changed by methods which itself provides, the
highest lap of our obedience as citizens; and
that we utterly discard that partial and ex.
aggerated sympathy, the attempt to carry
which into practice is at the peril of our dear.
est interests as nation, and threatens the in
Fiction of evils Of tenfod magnitude to those
which it proposes to heal.
Resolued, That the equality of the States is
the vital element of the Constitution ITSELF and
that all interference with the rights of the
States, by those who seek to disregard the
sacred guarantees Of the past, and by all others,
should be rebnked with the same spirit that
would denounce and repudiate all attempts to
erect odious distinctions between those who are
entitled to share the blessings and benefits of
our free institutions.
Res0tred, That the effort to direct the power
Of the government by antislayery agitations,
under the various names and phases of Free.
Soilism, i-Nebraskaism, Fusionism, and Re.
pubcanism, and by interfering with the rights
Of conscience in establishing religious test as
a qualification for Office, by the secret oath.
bound society Of the Know. .nothings, is opposed
both to the letter and the spirit Of the Consti.
tuition, and to the earnest teachings and prac-
tice Of its earliest and most honored admins.
traitors.
Resolred, That we are now as ever unalter.
ably opposed to the doctrines and designs of
all organizations which contemplate the over
throw of the civil and religious rights Of the
citizen, like the equality of the States, is n
sacred and inalieuahle right never IN hp iutar.