Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-02-17
The virginia Platform.

| The following resolutions were adopted by
| the Opposition State Convention which as
sembled at Richmond on the 10th inst.
| Resoped, 1st That the reckless extravaganza
of the preceding and present Administrations
! of the Federal Government, by which the
public expenditures have been increased from
! fifty to near one hundred millions of dollars
| and the public debt so greatly enlarged is a
| wrong that must be corrected and should be
| rebuxed.
I'd. That the recommendations of the Presi-
dent that Congress shall divest itself of the war
and treaty making powers, and confer them
| upon himself suhjectiHg. at the same time.
the army and navy to his control, coupled
with the proposition for enormous appropria-
| tons out of the public treasury to carry out
his views, are the most astounding that have
| ever been submitted to the consideration of
! the American people. and call for the most
unequivocal condemnation that the public
| voice can pronounce.
In our relations with other States we
| recognise all those international obligations
| which our position as member of the great
| family of nations impose on us, and we would
ever conform 10 the requirements OF those
| obligations.
81. That we are opposed to the doctrine o.
free trade and direct taxation" maintaining
that revenue sufficient for an economical
administration of the Government ought t.
he raised by specific duties on foreign
impOrtatiOis; and in adjusting a tariff: we
hold that it is the duty Of Congress to make
such determinations as will afford to Ameri-
can industry the incidental advantages to
which ii is justly entitled.
4th. That the public lands are held by the
general Government in trust for the benefit
Of all the States; that such disposition should
be made of them as will enure equally to the
benefit of all by Il distribution of the pro-
ceeds of the sale thereof; that Virginia who
gave most and has received least should now
be allowed to have her just proportion, and
that any party that opposes this is opp 'sed to
the best interests of the State, and allows, If
il does not favor a continuation of the heavy
taxes which affiict her people.
9Th. That in respect to the territories, we
adhere to the principle of the Compromise
measures of 1850. We repudiate the modern
doctrines Of "Squatter Sovereignty" and
allen suffrage and hold that to the inhab-
tants of the territories who are lawful citizens
of the Unit States. belongs the right, when
they come to form State constitution, To
fashion their domestic institutions according
to their own pleasures. with the privilege of
admission into the Union. upon equal terms
with the C tizens of the other States, whenever
they have the requisite population for one
IN mbcr Of the House of Representatives
9th. That bv the unanimous endorsation OF
the present Administration the Democratic
Convention of this State. lately held at Peters
burg, have assumed the responsibility of all
the errors aud msdccds of which we complain
and upon their party. and their nominees, the
public Judgment must b" pronounced.
9TH. That the Hon. John Letcher, in his
declared willingness TO divide this ancient
commonw ealth. for the purpose of extermni-
ating slavery from the section in which he
resided. committed an offence which is with
out justification, excuse or palliation, and
upon him we invoke the deliberate Judgment
OF the people of this State.
Sth. That the unfinished and unproductive
condition in which our great lines of internal
improvement have been left to languish, de-
mands that the best eXertions of all should
be directed to their early completion.
9TH That the Union of the States as es-
tahlished by the Federal Constitution is the
surest guaranty of the liberty of the people
and the support Of their peace and prosperity,
and we deprecate all means and repudate all
parties that tend 10 its overthrow.
We hold the powers cOniided to the general
government sacred trusts to be faithfully
exercised for the common benefit, and we de-
plore all sectional organizations which threat
en- TO pervert those powers to the ends of in
justice and oppression. We know of no di
versity OF interests among the several States
incompatible with an administration of the
government coincident with the equal rights
of each and we hold il to he the duty OF the
Federal Government and each department Of
il within the just limits of the constitution, to
promote, by every means, the great interests
of all the States.