Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-08-25
n.nnhlinnn Platform.


The following is the Platform adopted by the
Republican National Convention, held al Phila-
delphia in 1856;
WHEREAS. This Convention Of delegates as
ssmbled in pursuance of call addressed to the |
people of the United States, without regard to
past political differences or divisions, who are
anDosel 10 the repeal of the Missouri COmpro-
mise. to the policy Of the present administration,
to the extension of slavery in Kansas, and IN
favor of the admissio. Of Kansas as Free
State, for restoring the action OF the Federal
Government TO the principles Of Washington
and Jefferson, and for the purpose of presenting
candidates for the offices Of President and Vice
President.
Rssolred. That the maintenance Of the prln-
eiples promulgated in the Declaration of Inde-
pendence and embodied in the Federal Consti
luton are essential to the preservation OF our
RepubIican institutions the Federal COnstItu-
ton. the rights of the States, and the union OF
the States shall be preserved.
Resolred. That with our Republican fathers
we hold it TO be a self-evident truth, that all
men are endowed with the undeniable right OF
liberty and pursuit of happiness that the pii-
mary object and ulterior design Of our Federal
Government was to secure such rights TO all
persons within its exclusive jurisdiction; that
d T.
isbed slavery in our national territory, ordained
that no person should be deprived OF life, hber-
ty or property without due process of law, 1t
/ becomes our duty TO maintain this provision
apainst all attempts to violate it for the purpose
| OF establishing slavery in the United States by
positive legislation, prohibiting its extension
therein; that we DENY the authority Of Congress,
Of territorial legislation, of any individuals, OF
association of individuals to give legal assis-
tance TO slavery in any territory OF the United
states, while the present Constitution shall be
maintained
Resolped, That the Constitution confers on
! Congress sovereign power over the territories
| of the United States IOr their government and
in the exercise OF this power, 1t Is both the
right of Congress to prohibit IN the territory
pOlygamy and slavery,
RssoIred, That while the Constitution Of the
United States was ordained and established IN
order to establish more perfect union, justice,
and to insure domestic tranquility, and proyi'le
| for the common defence and secure the bless
ings of liberty, and eontlins ample provisions
for the prlteelion Of life liberty and property OF
every citizen, the dearest constitutional rights
of the people Of Kansas have been fraudulenty
and violently taken from them their territory
has been invested by an armed force Of spurious
and pretended judicial and executive officers
WHICH nave uEcl SIT hNNA lAl0AAlf "A-'oN N1e-
ed authority, sustained by the military power
of government, tyrannical and unconstitutional
laws have been enacted and enforced, the rights
of the people to keep and bear arms have been
linfringed, test oaths Of an extraordinary and
entanglinp nature have been imposed as con-
diiion Of exercising the right Of suffrage, and
holding offices, the right Of an accused person
to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury
has been denied, the right of the people to be
secure in their houses, papers and fleets 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 the press has been
abridged, the right to choose their representa-
tives has been made of no effect; murt.ers,
robberies and arsOns have been instigated and
encouraged, and have been allowed TO g un-
punished; yet ali these things have been done
with the knowledge, sanction aud procurement
of the present administration, and that for this
high crime against the Constitution, the Union
aud Humanity we araign the Administration,
the President, his advisers, agents, supporters,
apOlogists and accessories either before or alter
the facts, before the country and before the
world, and that it is our fixed purpose to bring
the actual perpetrators OF the atrocious ouirsges
and their accompiees, to a sure and condign
punishment hereafter
hesOtrEQ, lndL h4usas kudll ut slullllttcu d
4 State of the Union, with her present free con-
stitCtion, as at once the most efieetual 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.
ResOlred, That the highwayman's plea that
might makes right" embodied in the Ostend
circular, was in every respect unworthy OF
American diplomacy, and would bring shaHe
and dishonor upon any government or people
that gave it their sanction.
| Resolred, That a railroad to the Pacific ocean
/ by the more central and practical route is i'm
/ peratively demanded by the interests of the
whole country, and that the federal government
ought to render immediate and efficient aid IN
its construction, and as an auxiliary thereto, the
immediate construction of an emigrant route
on the line Of the railroad.
Resolred That appropriations by Congress
/ for the improvement of rivers and hArbors Of
national character required for the accOmmO-
datiOn and security of our existing commerce,
are authorised by the Constitution and justified
/ by the obligation Of government to protect the
lives and property of lie citizens.
Res0lped That We invite the afiliatlOn and
cooperation of the men Of all parties, however
differing from US in other respects, in supper.
of the principles herein declared; and believing
in the spirit of our institutions, as well as the
constitution Of our country, liberty of con-
science, and equality of rights among her citi-
zens and who oppose all legislation imParing
their security.