Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-03-25
The Democratic Platform,

adopted in the State Convention,
on the 18th. They are made up Of pro-
fuse generalities, in the main bat when
they do speak out plainly, they either APP
proximate to the principles of the Wing
and American parties, or are directly at
issue with large fraction Of the locofoco
party. The first resolve is that the demo
cracy "adhere, with unchanging faith, " to
strict construction Of the Constitution
a position without meaning, inasmuch as
the party is far from agreeing what con-
struction is strict, and what, latitudinous;
and it winds up with the declaration that
most of the evils that have grown up un
der Sour Federal system of Administra-
ton" are to be traced to failure so to con-
strue the Constitution. Now mark the
charge, and confession Of guilt blended in
this loose resolution Democracy adheres
with unchanging faith to a strict construc-
ton, yet there failure to practice upon
their theory is the cause of most of the
evils developed in our system of Federal
Administration" This is rich, but we
have no cause to com plain ofthe resolution,
for "them's" our precisely.
The second resolve is, that tariff for
revenue solely, is the trueone. Well, when
the Tennessee democracy settle that ques-
ton with "Old Buck, the Pennsylvania
delegation in Congress, and the thousands
of other democrats in The North, we may
have a word to say but not wishing to get
mixed up in the quarrel, we leave the ma
tional and harmonious democracy to fight
it out between themselves.
The next resolve is, that the Tennessee
democrsts are in favor of the acquisition of
Cuba, in any way consistent with justice !;
and why do they want it? Because it is
essential to "the safety, happiness and pros
perity of our Republic" Well, that may
be so, but we would like to be informed
how Cuba has endangered our safety, mar
red our happiness, or depressed our pros
perity.. This is only little inflated non
sense for the benefit of Buncombe, and as
such, we let it pass.
The next resolve is, that they are satisf-
ed with the bred Scott decision f; but note
the care taken not to raise any question
with Douglass and his followers, by deny
ing the right of territorial Legislature to
exclude slavery, by unfriendly legislation
and the equal care to make no issue with
Brown, Mason, and other southern demo.
Gratis who contend that Congress is bound
to interpose for the protection of slavery
in the territories, whenever found there
and an attempt ismade to exclude it. Thi:
is an ingenious, but rather cowardly evasion
Of an issue upon the very important prin
ciple involved in this leading question
A manly and patriotic spirit could not bav,
dictated policy of absolute non commit
talsm on so grave a subject; and the lead
ers of democracy ought to know that til,
Constitution protects no right, whatever
unless Congress, its agent, enforces its pro
visions. Congress is, or ought to be, prac
tically the legislature of the Territories
and the Supreme Court should come in a,
arbiter, only when Congress has done it
whole duty, and Territory violates it
laws.
The next resolve is, that the trainers o
the Constitution intended that nothing bu
gold an silver should be legitemate cur
rency-a declaration not proven and al
though, under that instrument no man i
compelled to receive any other currency
we do know that many Of the trainers o
the Constitution concurrcd in the belle
that the paper issue of the L. 5. Bank wa
, a "legetimate currency" Then the fore
going assertion is all CANNON and clap
trap. But the strongest part Of the reso
luton is, that the Tennessee democrac
deeply regret that paper circulation
with its hydra evils, has "boen so deepl
engrafted into our pecuniary relations;
: yet being so engrafted, the immaculat
democrscy-tho conservat,r of the Con
stitution, the guardian of popular liberty
and the promoter of national prosperity
t is compelled to lcgislate in favor ola wei
, regulated banking system o, Tempora
o, MOres We have heard Of "tme hon
, orpl nrinciDlcs ~ os constitut;nc, ,,,,oL n
. lccotoco capital, but We never heard befor
+ Of time-honored evils--too sacred to b
oradicated, even by the pure hands of de
| mocracy. Hard money is the constitution
al currency, it says but rags have ontere
so largely into its relations, that the striC
I construction Of the Constitution-spoke
5 of in the first resolution-may go to tn
devil, and democracy will hold to tn