Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-03-19
Platform OF the Tennessee Demo
cracy.
The italics are our own.

The following are the resolutions adopted
day, as we find them in the Union and Ameri-
can:
Reso1ued, That the Democratic party adhere
with unchanging faith to the principles here
tofOre adopted in their conventions in regard
to a strict construction of the language of the
Constitution, giving power to the different
departments of our Federal Government, and
that they believe most of the evils developed
in our system of Administration have arisen
from a failure in the practice of this
fundamental rule in its Interpretation.
Resolred, That a tariff for reDenre alone is the
true policy of the country and a correct eX-
position of the power of Congress on the
subject of indirect taxation. The amount
necessary for revenue will vary with the
necessities of the Government, but the
principle itself is immutablc.
ResoLred, That the acquisition of the Island
Of Cuba is. in our opinion, eminently 'sira-
BILE tor the safety. happiness and prosperity of
our Republic, and we should hail with
pleasure any measure consistent with justice,
that would accomplish this object. We can
never consent TO its appropriation by any of
the powerful States of Europe, and would in
cur all the danger of war rather than acquiesce
in such a result.
Resolved That we are satisfied with the
views announced by the Supreme Court of
the United States in the celebrated case Of
"Dred Scott on the rights of Shareholders
and the status of slavery in the Territories,
and are willing to abide by the principles an
nounced in that decision. Slavery and the
rights of Shareholders are protected 10y the
Constitution of the United States, and by an
appeal to the action of the judicial tribunals
of the Union, until the formation of a Consii-
tuition by the people of Territory, and then
the State must decide for itself On that, as
well as other legitimate subject of govern
ment.
ResoIve{, That it was intended by the
atmors of the Constitution that gold and
silver should be the legitimate currency OF
our people, and we deeply regret that Bank
ing institutions and paper circulation should
ever have been so deeply engrafted into
our pCcuniary relations; but being so en-
garfield we are compelled To legislate under
the circumstances by which we are sur
rounded. In view of which, as a remedy
for existing evils, we will insist that our
present banking system shall be so re-
formed as to enforce invariable redemption
at their counters of their circulation
by every Bank in the State, and limi-
tation on their issues to notes of large
denomination. increased protection to the
note holder, the right OF supervision upon
the part of the State aud forfeiture of their
charters-tor abuses of their privileges and
by these and such other steps experience
may demonstrate 10 make as near an ap-
preach To Constitutional currency as may
be found wise aud proper.
Rcsolued That II is essential TO the welfare
of the State. that in all charters OF in
corporation, granted 10y the Legislature. that
the power should be- reserved in all cases to
change, modify or abolish these private and
privileged interpretations as the public good
shall demand.
Resolued, That we have an abiding conf
dence ia the ability and patriotism OF the
President of the United States, and that we
approve generally the ideas contained in his
messages and the acts of his administration.
We therefore renew our pledges 10 his
support, and our faith III his adherence 10
the principles OF our party
Resolved, That we feel undiminshed conf
dcnce in the present Chief Magistrate Of the
State, his energy aud talents shown as our
candidate in the former election, the signal
triumph be achieved in that race, his ability
dignity and frank bearing "a Governor of the
State, alike entille him to cur gratitude aud
warmest support