The Yazoo Democrat., 1858-09-25
PL A T FOR NJ
OF THE
GREAT rHERN PARTY.
PREAMBLE, RESOLUTIONS 4 CONSTITUTION.
AUGUST. 1858.

After consultation, of Democrats, Whigs
and americans, the following PLATFORM is
recommended TO the SOUTHERN PEOPLE, by
said CONSULTATION.
l. WHEREAS, The fist duty that an asso-
citation of men owes to Almighty God, to
itself and to its poserity, is to assume, as
far as possible, a position politically, men>
tally and physically, remote from all causes
of offeuse to or from all other people, and
that all alliances not founded on this first
duty and fundamental rule of action are
unteuable, unsafe, and unreasonable that
they are dangerous to the prosperity, peace,
and happiness of the several contracting
parties, and that they should be ABANDONED :
And,
2. WHEREAS, In the alliance or confed~
eracy now existing between the Northern
aud Southern States, the institution of Atri
can Slavery, which exists in the latter and
not in the former, has caused and CONTINUES
to cause useless discussion, expensive legis
lallon and incl easing sectional hostility !:
And,
8. WHEREAS, Having experienced, for the
last thirty eghI years, the impossibility OF
preserving an honorable and peaceable union
with our Northern ContederaleS, it now be
comes our imperative du'y to make an hon
orabe and it possible, peaceabIe sepaa
lion And,
4. WHEREAS, The dismemberment of
the existing union between these United
States is inevitable, aud that all past and
existing propositions for uniting The South
ern people in one bond of brotherhood, are
most impotent for consummating that most
desired result Aud,
s. WHEREAS, The South should sever
the existing union Of these States for past
aggressons, as well as for the prevention of
Others which must inevitably follow under
existing party organizations; And,
6. WHEREAS, 1t is the natural and reas-
enable province of an honorable, peaceabIe
and brave people, to prepare for a contin-
gency so certain and momentous, without
waiting to be abruptly forced into doubtful
or an inefficient organization for the preser-
walton of those rights which the most sacred
honor of man impels US to defend: And,
7. WHEREAS, While it is neither our ino
terest nor inclination to Cypress, insult or
injure the people of any State or States
composing the present, but unfortunate
confederacy, we will not longer submit to
further compromises, conferences or laws,
which may always weaken but can never
strengthen the security of our honorable
existence And,
s. WHEREAS, The solemn belief, that
neither the laws OF God or the customs of
man have established an umpire for the
arbtrament of what shall be or shall not be
property, has forced on our minds the firm
conviction that all the exactions by the
Northern aud all the concessions by the
Southern people, respecting the increase,
dminution or locality of African slave labor.
are but the results of ill,advised, presump-
tuous and most dangerous legislation; and
for the amelioration and final extinction of
such legislation, we mutually pledge our
honor aud continued exertious And,
8. WHEREAS, A life freed from undue
moestation from man, men, sections, parties
or governments, is the first, most sacred and
the most universally conceded right that can
be claimed by man; aud this broad funda>
mental right having escaped the observation
of the Northern people, or, if seen, has not
been respected aud sustained by them :
And,
10. WHEREAS, A permanent separation
of conflicting interests, pursuits, habits, laws
or opinions, is far preferable to doubtful
or unpleasant alliance: Be it, therefore,
Resolved l.. That, with that purity of
motive, conscientiousness Of rectitude, and
noble determination to do right, we recon
mend aud will do all we can to bring about
an honorable, and if possible, a peaceable
separation of the Southern slave States from
the Northern free States.
ResOlUed 2. That after having been denied
peaceable existence in the present confed>
eracy, and in the event we now be denied
the poor but natural privilege of a peoceabe
separation, we shall then rely on our own
strength, the san ;tion of the Great Ruler,
and the countenanee of all properly disposed
nations, for that separation, without which
we cannot maintain an honorable existence,
or secure to our children the continued
respect of honorable men,.
Resolved 3. That in this effort to separate
peaceabIy from men and States, with whom
we so widely differ in soil climate, iustituo
tious and opinion, we will ask for nothing
more, nor will We receive anything less than
an equal division of all the Territories, i'm
munities, rights, privileges, obligations,
treaties &C., &c, now claimed or enjoyed
by the United States
Resolved 8. That it is our SOLEMN duty to
recognize all the people Of the several Sou
thern States as a band Of brothers, whose
interests and feelings shall be sacredly OBJ
served and respected by the Great Southern
Party, SO long as those human virtues can
be exercised without sacrificing or jeopardi
zing those rights and that equality, for the
regaining aud the preservation of which this
Organization is formed
Resolved 5. That, now and henceforth, we
will resist all umpircsm that shall arrogate
to itself the prerogative of condemning, as
unlawful or irreligious, any species Of prop
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