Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-03-17
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
We give below the new platform of princi-
Piles adopted by the Democratic State Con-
vcntion, which met at Harrisburg on the 4th
March. 1t knocks away some of the old
planks in the Cincinnati concern, which are
now cast aside as useless lumber:
Resolred That the principle involved in the
repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and assert
ed in the Kansas Nebraska act, that the
people of the Territories shall have exclu-
sive control over their domestic institutions,
is the onlysure guarantee against the agitation
of the nation, in regard to the local inStitu-
tions of particular States and Territories.
Resolued, That by the uniform application
of this Democratic principle to the organiza-
ton of Territories, and to the admission of
new States, with or without domestic slavery,
as they may elect, the equal rights OF all the
States may be preserved, the original compact
of the Constitution, maintained lnyioiafe, and
the harmony of the union of the American
States preserved and insured.
Resolced, That it is the right of the people
of any State or Territory to exercise their
sovereign power through duly chosen repre-
sentatives, and through them enact consti-
tuition and government: or they may delegate
10 such representatives the more limited pow
er to prepare their form of government, reser-
wing to themselves the rights of ratification
anu lIIdl tilutT lHouC VI giving CAiStCuSS ~
State institutions is consistent with the doc
trine of popular sovereignty, and the estab-
lshed practice of the States of this Union.
Pesolred That the Kansas n Nebraska act,
| having asserted and recognized the right of
| the people of the Territories to form their
own institutions in their own way, the duly or
ganized government in Kansas, having by reg
| ular process provided for a convention of del
| egates by the people, with instructions and
| power to form constitution, and such dele
| gates having assembled in convention and en-
| acted constitution under such instructions
| and power, such constitution, being republi-
| can in form, and the Territory having the num-
| ber Of inhabitants to justify it, Kansas should
be promptly admitted into the Union.
ResoLped, That the people of Kansas, under
| the constitution enacted by their convention,
| may sat all times, alter, reform or abolish
| their form of government in such manner as
| they may think proper - that the provisions
contained there in as to particular mode OF
| alteration, after 1864, does not forbid any 9TH
er mode, the people by regular process may
| choose to adopt, either before or alter that
/ time; and this construction is warranted by
| the practice OF Pennsylvania and other States,
and may be regarded, as based upon a settled
| principle of constitutional law.
| Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Con-
vention, that the time has come when the diff
iculties and troubles in Kansas should cease
and determine that If the schemes of bad
| men are still to agitate the Territory, the con-
| fiict should be- local. not national; and that
! great peril and danger are to be apprehended
| to the Union, and the cause OF free govern
ment, by the further delay of her admission
4 as State.
4 Resokved, That if the Constitution of Kansas
! is not acceptable, in some of its provisions, 10
| the majority of the free State men of that
| Territory, their own course of obstinate con-
duct has produced the result; they have no
cause to complain, and their mouths should
| be forever closed.
| Resolved, That we have evident reason to
believe that the aboitionsts in Kansas, and
| ont of it, have much greater desire to over
| throw the Democratic party of the nation,
than to ameliorate the condition of the slave
and while they are loud in their protestations
against what they call the slave power, they
conceal a thirst and desire for political place
| which they would grasp at the cost of the
| broken and shattered bonds of the Union.
Resolved, Therefore that we unhesitatingly
| approve of the measures of Mr.. Buchanan in
| his Kansas policy; and are ready and willing
to sustain him therein, as in all other measur.
| es of his administration thus far disclosed
and we have full confidence that he will no,
abandon an article in the Democratic creed.
Resolred, That the Democracy of Pennsyl-
vania acknowledge with pride and commenda-
tion the able and timely support which thl
| Hon. William Biger has given in the United
| states Senate, 10 the policy OF the National
Administration; his wisdom in council, his
| logical skill, and talent in debate his indus
try and integrity, constitute hun a represen-
tative TO whom the interests of his constitu-
ents may be safely confided.
Resolved, That in eecting William F Packer
as Governor of this State the. Democratic par
| ty have secured the services of one in every
way qualified to administer all the affairs OF
| the State for its best interests. With an en-.
| larged experience he combines an administers
tive ability Of no ordinary character, and we
have every confidence that he viii, by his ad
vocacy of the true administration policy, Sc
cure the prosperity of the people, and the
| honor of the Commonwealth.
Resoired, That we recommend to the Legis.
| lature of this State such measures of reform
and economy as will aid to lessen, as much as
possible, the heavy burden imposed on the
people, by taxation-and we particularly re.
commend revision of the system of banks
ing, that may prevent in the future the troub
les and difficulties that the people of the State
have recently encountered.