Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-06-25
I'M, THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.


Mr.. Halett of Massachusetts,, submitted the follow
ing report, which was, adopted by the Convention:
Resolced, That the American Democracy place
their trust in the intelligence the PATRIOTISM ana the
discriminating justice Of the American people.
Resolred, That VIC regard this as distinctive Tea
ture of our political creed, which we are proud TO
maintain before the world, as the great moral ee.
ment in form of government springing from and
upheld BIZ the popular WILL and We contrast it with
the creed and practice of Federalism, under what
ever name or form, which seeks to palsy the will OF
the constituent and which conce1ves no mpos'ure
too monstrous for the popular credulity.
ResoIoed therefore, That, entertaining these
views, the Democratic party of this Union. through
their Delegates assembled in general Convention,
coming together in spirit of concord, OF devotion to
the doctrines and faith of free representative gov
eInment and appealing to their eilow-cltlzens Tor
the rectitude of their ntentns, renew and
before the American people, the declarations of prn-
cples avowed by them, when on former occasions,
in general Convention they have presented their
candidates for the popular suffrages.
l. That the Federal Government is one of limited
power, derived solely from the Constitution; and
the grants of power made therein ought to be strict
ly construed by all the departments and agents OF
the government; and that it is nexpedient and dan
gerous to exercise doubtful constitutional powers
2. That the Constitution does not confer upon the
Government the power to commence and carry oha
general system of internal improvements
8. That the Constitution does not confer authori-
ty upon the Federal Government, directly or indl-
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 Fede-
raj Government to foster one branch of industry to
the detriment of any other, to cherish the inter-
csts of one portion to the injury of another portion
of our country: that every citizen and every
section of the country has right to demand ana IN
= larnS
to complete and ample protection OF persons ana
property from domestic violence or foreign aggres'
sion.
5. That it is the duty of every branch Of Govern
ment 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 de-
fray the necessary expenses of the Government and
for the gradual but certain extinction OF the puoic
debt
6. That the proceeds of the public lands ought to
be sacredy applied to the national objects speched
in the Constitution; and that opposed to any
law for the distribution of such proceeds among the
States, as alike inexpedient in policy and repugnant
to the Constitution.
7. That Congress has no power to charter ma
tonal bank that we believe such an institution one
of deadly hostility to the best interests of the coun-
try dangerous republican institutions and the
liberties of the people, and calculated to place the
business of the country within the control OF con-
centrated money power and above the laws and the
will of the people, and that the results of Democrat
ic legislation in this and all other financial measures
upon which issues have been made between the two
political parties of the country have demonstrated
to candid and practical men of all parties their sound
ness safety, and utility, in all business pursuits.
g. That the separation of the moneys of the Gov
eminent from banking institutions is indispensable
for the safety of the funds of the Government, and
the rights OF the people.
o. That we are opposed to taking from the Presi-
dent the qualified veto power, by which he is en-
abled, 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 tyranncal
domination of the Bank of the United States, and
from corruptng system of general internal i'm
provements.
TO- That the liberal principles embodied by Jeffer-
in the Declaration of independence, and sane
toned in the Constitution, which makes ours the
land Of liberty and the asylum of the oppressed of
every nation, have ever been cardinal principles in
the Democratic faith and every attempt to abridge
the privilege OF becoming citizens and the owners Of
soil among us, ought to be resisted with the same
spirit which swept the alien and seditiOn laws from
our statute books.
And WHEREAS, since the foregoing declaration
was uniformly adopted by our predecessors in-Na-.
tional Conventions, an adverse political and religious
test has'been secretly organized by party claiming
to be exclusively American, it is proper that the
American Democracy should clearly define it's rea-
lions thereto, and declare its determined opposition
to all secret political societies, by whatever name
they may be called.
Resolced, That the foundation of this Union of
States having been laid in, and its prosperity, expan
sion, and prc-cminent example in free government
built upon, entire freedom in matters of religious
Government and no respect of persons in regard
rank or place of BIRTH party can justly he deemed
national, constitutional or in accordance with Amer.
lean principles, which bases its exclusive organiza-
ton upon religious opinions and accidental birth.
place. And hence political crusade in the nine.
teenh century, and in the United States of America
against Catholics and foreign born is neither usti-
fled by the past history the future prospects of
the country, nor in unison with the spirit Of toera-
ton and enlarged freedom which peculiarly dstin-
guishes the American system of popular govern.
mcnt.
Rcsoloed That we reiterate with renewed energy
purpose, the well considered declarations of form
Conventions upon the sectional issue of Domestic
Slavery, and concerning the reserved rights of the
States
l. That Congress has no power under the Consti-
tution to interfere with or control the domestic in.
situations of the several States and that such States
are the sole and proper judges of everything apper
tanning to their own affairs, not prohibited by the
Constitution that all efforts Of the abotonists or
others made to induce Congress to interfere with
questions of slavery, to take ncpent steps in re.
lation thereto, are calculated to lead to the most
alarming and dangerous consequences; and that all
such efforts have an inevitable tendency to diminish
the happiness of the people and endanger the sabil.
ity and permanently of the Union, and ought not to
be countenanced by any friend of our political insti.
tutions.
2. That the foregoing proposition covers and was
inteAded to embrace the whole subject of slavery
agitation in Congress, and therefore, the Democrat.
ic party of the Union, standing this national
platform, will abide by and adhere to faithful exc.
cution of the acts known as the Compromise meas.