The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-10-30
THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.

It seems that some slight verbal inaccura-
cir have crept into the Platform adopted at
P. iladelphia, as it appears in some of the
newspapers. We therefore republish the gen.
u. lie document, as it appeared in the Era on
tt, Sd instant. The discrepancies are so slight
AZ to escape observation, except when carefully
csmpared with the true reading. In fact,
tE,re is not shade of difference in principle
bstween the true and the erroneous reading.
Still, it is highly proper that the genuine doc
uy Aent should be adhered to.
90 This Convention of Delegates, assembled in
Pursuance of call addressed 10 the people of
tie United States, without regard to past polit-
ilAl differences or divisions, who are opposed
t. the repeal of the Missouri Compromise; to
tie policy of the present Administration; to the
extension Of Slavery into free Territory; in fa-
v,r of the admission Of Kansas as free State;
q restoring the action of the Federal Govern
nxent to the principles of Washington and JEFF.
Hrson; and for the purpose of presenting can
dldates for the offices of President and Vice
President, do
81 Resolve, That the maintenance of the
principles promulgated in the Declaration Of
Independence, and embodied in the Federal
Constitution, are essential to the preservation
&c our Republican institutions; and that the
Federal Constitution, the rights of the States,
rad the union of the States, shall be preserved.
: ~. Resoired, That, with our Republican
t,thers, we hold it to be self.evident truth
l,at all men are endowed with the uaalienable
eight to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happi
less and that the primary object and Interior
t.esign of our Federal Government were to &C.
! ure those rights to all persons within it's ex.
II IL Al
.thers, when they had abolished Slavery in all
nr National Territory, ordained that no person
/ hould be deprived of life, liberty, or property,
.sithout due process of law, it becomes our duty
- maintain this provision of the Constitution
against all attempts to violate it, to prevent the
establishment of Slavery in the Territories of
/ he United States by positive Legislation pro-
f,ibting its existence therein. And we deny the
authority of Congress, of Territorial Legisls-
iure, of any individual association of individ-
jals, to give legal existence to Slavery in any
srerritory of the United States, while the pres.
.lnt Constitution shall be maintained"
!, "3. Resolred, That the Constitution confers
upon Congress sovereign power over the Terri
ories of the United States for their govern
nent, and that in the exercise of this power it
- both the right and the duty of Congress to
,rohibit in its Territories those twin relics of
ssarbarism, Polygamy and Slavery.
"a. Resoloed, That while the Constitution
If the Uoited States was ordained and estab
.Hshed by the people in order to form more
~,erfect union, establish Justice insure domestic
tranquility, provide for the common defence,
ind secure the blessings of liberty and con-
rains ample provisions for the protection of the
slfe, liberty, and property, of every citizen, the
dearest constitutional rights of the people of
Kansas have been fraudulently and violently
! aiken from them;
"Their Territory has been invaded by an
3rmed forces
: "Spurious and pretended Legislative, Judi.
sial, and Executive officers have been set over
shem, by whose usurped authority, sustained
~ the military power of the Government, tyran-
iical and unconstitutional laws have been en-
acted and enforced;
The rights of the people to keep and bear
arms have been infringed
"Test oaths of an extraordinary and entan-
fling nature have been imposed, as O condition
Of exercising the right of suffrage and holding
office;
The right of An accused person to q speedy
and public trial by an impartial jury has been
denied
"The right of the people to be secure in their
persons, houses, papers, and effects, against
unreasonable searches and seizures, has been
violated;
& "They have been deprived of life, liberty,
and property, without due process of law;
"That the freedom of speech and of the press
has been abridged;
1.-THE right to choose their Representatives
has oeen made of no effect;
"a" mu,jvr., -~ILs-:ss a-d -sons have heen
tnAigated and encouraged, and the offenders
have been allowed to go UNPUBLISHED;
: "That all these things have been done with
the knowledge, sanction, and procurement of the
present Administration, and that for this high
crime against the Constitution, the Union, and
! Humanity we arraign that Administration, the
President, his advisers, agents, supporters, apol-
ogists, and accessories either before or after
the facts, before the country and before the
world and that it is our fixed purpose to bring
the actual perpetrators Of these atrocious out
RACES, and their socomplioes, to a sure and
condign punishment hereafter.
IS. Resolved That Kansas should be imme-
'diately admitted as State of the Union, with
her present Free Constitution, as at once the
most effectual way of securing to her citizens
the enjoyment of the rights and privileges to
which they are entitled, and of ending the civil
strife now raging in her Territory.
sc. Resolred, That the highwayman's plea
that might makes right embodied in the Os-
tend Circular, was in every respect unworthy
of American diplomacy, and would bring shame
and dishonor upon any Government or people
that gave it their sanction. L.
81 Resoloed, That railroad to the Pacific
Ocean, by the most central and practical route,
is inperativey demanded by the interests of
the whole country, and that the Federal Gov
eminent ought to render immediate and eff
cient aid in its construction, and, an auxilia-
ry thereto, the immediate construction of an
emigrant route on the line of the railroad.
"S, Resolped, That appropriations by Con-
gress for the improvement of rivers and harbors,
of a national character, required for the accom-
mediation and security of our existing com
merce, are authorized by the Constitution, and
justified by the obligation of Government to
protect the lives and property of its citizens.
"9. Reso!nsi, That We invite the affi'iation
and co operation of the men Of all parties, how
ever differing from US in other respects, in sup
port Of the principles herein declared; and, be-
lieving that the spirit Of our institutions well
es the Constitution of our country guarantees
liberty of conscience and equality of rights
among citizens, we oppose all legislation i'm
pairing their security"
Fremont's Letter Of Acceptance.
New YORK, Juiy 8, 1886,
GENTLEMEN: You call me to a high respon-
sibility by placing me in the van of great
movement of the people of the United States,