The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-07-07
RESOLUTIONS.
Adopted by the Democratic State Conren-
tion-a Convention assembled June 23rd,
1859.
NATIONAL POLICY.


in which we stand toward the Federal Gov.
ernment, on the one hand, and our own State
on the other, we deem it expedient and prop.
er, before entering upon contest which may,
in no small degree, influence the character
and destinies of both Governments, to adopt
and promulgate the following declaration Of
principles for the government Of our con-
duct:
1st. Resolped, That we affirm the princi-
Piles of the National Democratic Platform OF
1855, and re-assert the doctrines Of non-in-
tervcntion therein contained, as the only
ground upon which National Party can be
maintained in these confe lerate States.
Cd. Reso1red, That the organized Terrific
ries Of the United States are only held in the
Territorial condition until they attain a suf.
ficient number Of inhabitants to authorize
their admission into the Union as States, and
are justly entitled to selfgovernment and
the undisturbed regulation of their own do
mestic or local affairs, subject only to the
Constitution of the United States.
3rd. Resolrea, That inasmuch as the leg
islative power of the Territories extends un-
deniably to all rightful subjects ofleglslation,
no power can prevent them from passing
such laws upon the subject of Slavery, as to
them may seem proper, and whether such
laws, when passed, be constitutional or not,
can be finally determined, not by Congress,
but by the Supreme Court, on appeal from
the decisions of the Territorial Courts. ..
4th. Resolped. That the Supreme Court of
the United States, being under the Constitu-
ton, an independent coordinate branch of
the Government, with a tenure of Office which
can not be changed by the action of parties,
through the lnstrumcntality of Congress, we
hold the Democracy entirely irresponsible for
its doctrines, and in no case conclusively
bound by the same, except SO far as to in
culcate obedience to its decisions while they
are continued in force.
5th. Resolred,, That while Courts of JUS
tic,, both State and National, respected by
the people, and sustained in their proper
functions by popular sentiment anarchy and
violence become inevitable, and all rights Of
both person and property become insecure
and worthless.
9th. Resoloed, That the action of the pub
lie authorities in some of the States, in at
tempting to set at defiance by State auth ri
ty, decisions of the Supreme Court and acts
of Congress passed in accordance with the
Constitution, is the very essence of Nullifi-
cation.
7th. ResOleed, That Tariff for revenue,
alone is the true policy of this country, but
an incidental protection is one of its legiti-
mate consequences. The amount of duties
levied should be limited to the necessary
wants of the Government, and they should
be SO apportioned as to fall as lightly as pos
siblc upon the people, by whom they are
eventually to be paid.
Sth. Resolred, That it is doctrine of the
Democratic party that all naturalized citizens
are entitled to the same protection both at
home and abroad, that is extended to the ma
tive born citizens, and that even voluntary
reture of such citizens to the land of their
birth for temporary purpose, does not place
them beyond the range of that protection,
but that our Government is bound to shield
them from injury and insult while there at
every hazard.
9Th Resolrea, That the expansion of Ma
tional domain is desirable whenever it shall
be necessary for the safety, happiness and
prosperity of the Republic, and we will hail
with pleas Ire the acquisition of the Island of
Cuba, whenever it can be effected with JUS
tice and in accordance with the wishes of the
people thereof But as Nation we can nev-
er assent te its appropriation by any of the
powers of Europe, and = i'll incur all the haz-
ards ofwar to avert such result.
10th. Resoloed, That the building of a
Railroad connecting our Atlantic and Pacific
coasts by grants of the Public Lands along
the line thereof or by any other constitutions
al means, will meet with the hearty approval
ofthe Democracy of Iowa.
11th. ResolUed, That we are in favor OF
granting homestead of 160 acres of land by
Congress to actual settlers, subject only to
such restrictions as will exclude spectators
from the benefit of such acts.
18th. Resoloed, That we are in favor ol
an economical administration If the Federal
Government, and will lend our best efforts to
those who advocate reform and retrenchment
in our national expenditures.
18th. Resolred, That we are uncondition.
ally opposed to the re-opening of the African
slave trade-that its rivival would not only
renew those cruelties which once provoked
the indignation Of the civilized world, bu,
would entail a foul blot upon our country's
fair escutcheon.
| 14th. ResoIrcd, That we cordially tender
to the Democracy of the Union an invitation
to unite with US in maintaining our organi.
zation on the principles indica ed in the fore.
going resolutions, and that we earnestly ap-
peal to them to drop past differences, and as.
semble again as band of brothers under the
nanonly of the Constitution and the Union