Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-07-01
The Democratic Platform.

producing only the following abortion. For
cunning evasion Of all that candor and truth
tulness requires, it caps the climax. On such
questions as are really at issue between the
parties, the document preserves dignified
silence, or else dismsses them with ambigu-
Gus language. Will the voters of Iowa be
wheedled into the support of party which is
afraid to avow its true sentiments :? We think
not. The platform, as it is avowed in the
preamble, certainly has "double relation"
and is most ingenious attempt to reconcile
the opposing factions of the party, though it
gives the Administration the cold shoulder
NATIONAL POLICY.
WHEREAS, In view of the double relation
in which we stand toward the Federal Gov
crnment, on the one hand, and our own State
on the other, we deem it expedent and proper,
before entering upon Il contest which may, in
no small degree, influence the character and
dcStineS of both Governments, to adopt and
promu gate the following declaration of prin-
ciples for the government of our conduct
LIST Resolced, That we affirm the principles
of the National Democratic Platform of 1856,
and re assert the doctrines of non-intervention
therein contained, as the only ground upon
which a National Party can be maintained in
these confederate States.
Cd Reso|ced, That the organized Terrific
ries of the United States are only held in the
Territorial condition until they attain Il suf-
icient number of inhabitants to authorize
their admission into the Union as States, and
are justly entitled to sclfgovcrnment and the
undisturbed regulation of their own domestic
or local affairs, subject only to the Constitution
of the United States.
3D.. Resoircd, That, inasmuch as the legis-
lative power of the Territories extends unde-
niably to all rightful subjects of legislation, 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. Resolued, That the Supreme Court of
the United States, being, under the Constitu-
ton, an independent CO ordinate branch of the
Government, with a tenure Of office which
cannot be changed by the action of the parties,
through the instrumentality 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 incul-
cate obedience to its decisions while they are
continued in force
9Th. X, solued. That, without Courts Of
Justice, 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. Resolred, That the action of the public
authorities in some of the States, in attempt
ing to set at defiance, by State authority,
decisions of the Supreme Court, and acts of
Congress passed in accordance with the Con-
stitution, is the very essence Of Notification.
It'll. Resolued, That Tariff for revenue alone
is the true policy of this country, but an
incidental protection is one of its legitimate
consequences. The amount of duties levied
should be limited to he necessary wants Of
the Government, and they should be so
apportioned as to fall as lightly as possible
upon the people, by whom they are eventually
to be paid.
9Th. Resolred, That it is doctrine Of the
Democratic party that all naturalzed citizens
are entitled to the same protection, both at
home and abroad, that is extended to the
native-born citizens, and that even voluntary
return 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. Resolvcd, That the expansion of our
National domain is desirable whenever it shall
be necessary for the safety, happiness and
prosperity of the Republic, and we will hail
with pleasure the acquisition of the Island of
Cuba, whenever it can be effected with justice
and in acceptance with the wishes of the
people thereof. But, as a nation, we can
never assent to its appropriation by any of
the powers Of Europe, and will incur all the
hazards of war to avert such result.
10th. Resolced, That the building of
Railroad, connecting our Atlantic and Pacific
coasts, by grants Of the Public Lands along
the line thereof, or by any other constitutional
means, will meet with the hearty approval of
the Democracy Of Iowa.
18th. ResoEred, That we are in favor Of
granting homestead of 60 acres of land by
Congress to actual settlers, subject only to
such restrictions as will exclude spectators
from the benefits of such acts
18th. Resotued, That we are in favor Of an
economical administration of 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 rc-opening of the African
slave trade that its revival would not only
renew those craetics which once provoked
fho i,,,1i Of lho o;v ,unrll lint
would entail foul blot on our country's fair
escutcheon.
14th. Resolued, That we cordially tender to
the Democracy of the Union an invitation to
unite with us in maintaining its organization
on the principles indicated in the foregoing
resolutions, and that we earnestly appeal to
them to drop past differences, and assemble
again as band of brothers under the panoply
of the Constitution and the Union.
STATE POLICY.
1st Resolved, That the burdens of taxation
have increased and arc increasing under the
present administration OF State affairs, and
that complete and thorough reform of exist
ing abuses and expenditures is demanded by
the highest interests of the people.
I'd. Resolned, That the Democracy Of Iowa
cordially and sincerely invite the white emf
grants to settle in the State, promising them
all the protection and rights which they have
enjoyed under the laws of Congress since the
time of Jefferson, and that we earnestly
deplore the acts of the Republican party in
Massachusetts,, and their attempts in New
York, Connecticut and New Jersey tosconfer
upon the uncouth, sem-barbarian negro from
the South right Of suffrage and office in one
year, ana requiring for the same purpose Of
the naturalizcd citizens residence of two
years after naturalization, equivalent to an
extension of the period for naturalization to
seven years, thus degrading the foreign white
man below the level of the negro and the
African.
Sd. Resyloed, That we are opposed to the
policy inaugurated in this State by the
Republican party, by which the emigration
to this State Of the African race is encouraged
f,,,,,