Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-08-04

been the theaiers for the display rf the
oratory of partizan demagogues. whose chief
object seems tc be 10 exasperute ore half OF
the Union sgsinst the other. rather than
dcsiriHg. by means Of conference, a'eas-
ures OF public policy best adapted to pro
mc,s the real interests of the entire country.
The weakness, yacillation and corruption oi
the present Administration, have brought
disgrace upon the American name. Our
finances have been neglected, and the pub
iiclrevence squesdered, I'll the Government
has become bankrupt.
Our domestic industry has been crippled
and almost prostraied, by refusal to adapt
uar revenue laws 10 the wants of the eorn
Try.
Our internal improvements are neglected
snd the Acknowledged want of great high
wsy to our Pacific coast, ignored on ac-
count of an unreasonable and Immature
Jealousy between the North and South.
Our public lands have been seuandered by
the appliances o: corrupt means, the de.
snlopment of which has shocked the mora
sense o! ali honest men.
This Convention cannot sympathize with
either the Democratic or Republicanparty
but condemns, in unqualified terms, the
policy and practices of both, and jnvokes
the aid Of oil good and true men Of the State
and of the country, to rally to the support
Of such men and measures, as will arrest
these evils and restore the country TO its
primitive condition of fraternsl union-as
will elevate the standard of American citi.
zensh:p, ana advance the PHYSICAL, s9cisI
snd moral happiness and prosperity of the
entire Onion.
IS tending TO accomplish remedy for
these evils:
Resoved, l. That wba.eser may be The
power or want of power of Congress to
Iegisists fof or against slavery. either to
establish it, abolish it, or prohibit it in OH
Territories, (abous which members of this
Convention differ in opinion) the permanent
peace and happiness of the county would
best attained by submitting this as well as
all other domestic questions to the bona fde
residents Of the Territories, they being
citizens o. the United States when they
come to form Constitution.
9. The African slave trade is an offense
10 the moral sense of the civilized world
shd is Justly declared by our treaties and
lrws, as piracy, and as such should there
fore be promptly suppressed by the Govern.
ment.
3. The actof Congress of 1850 for the
rcclamafion OF IuQitives from labor, know n
as the Fugitive Slave Law. does not in all
respects command our approval. In some
OF its details il is exceptionsble, and we
should not to that extent oppose its modifi
cation, nevertheless we maintain It's consti-
tntionsliiy and binding obligation, and we
declare that in so far as it carries out, in its
main intent and substance, the provisions
of the Constitution. the people of :he U.
Stntes are bound by every principle of jus
tiee, Homer ana good faith, to submit obedi-
entity 10 its enforcement.
a. The subject of naturalization should
receive the early attention of the Govern
ment by such prudent revision of the laws
now in force, as will correct existing evils.
In the Judgment of this Convention, this
can we'll be done by Withdrawing the sub
iect from the jurisdiction of the State and
Federal Courts altogether, and causing GER.
tificates Of naturalization and citizenship in
all cases, to issue from bureau al the seat
oi government. upon such terms and con-
ditions as are now provided by law, and to
oSviate any difficulties or unreasonable ex-
pense in obtaining such certificates, the
Jurors and Commissioners Of the Courts OF
the United States should be empowered to
take the proofs and administer the oa:hs
row recognized by law. and transmit the
same 10 the proper officer at Wash;ngtor.
S. That the rights of citizenship of such
as have been naturalized are sacred and in
violsble, and j, is the duty of the Federal
Government to protect alike the native and
na,urallzed citizen throughout the word.
s. Religious tests and ecclesiastical die
fstion in the affairs of the government are
alike dangerous to free institutions, and
should, therefore, Re condemned BY all good
citizens.
Z. The public revenue should be faith
fully and economically expended. having
drs regard to faithful and efficient admin
istrstiou of every department of the Gov.
eminent
q. Sufficient revenue for the Government
can well be provided by a judicious system
Of duties upon foreign merchandise; direct
taxation is, therefore, unnecessary.
o. Revenue should be the prime object o
,mport duties. yet proper regard for the
success of many branches Of domestic in
ddstry which come in competition with
similar branches abrosd, maintained by
cheap labor and home protection, demand
iudicious discrimination (Which revenue
limi,) of duties for their encouragement.
20. The necessities ofdomestc commerce
demand immediate attention. Our lake
barbors and principal rivers need improve
na.nt, and It is the duty o. the General
Government to mike them.
n. il is of the 6rst importance, as o
measure of commercial interest and public
defense, theta a grest highway be opened te
our Pacific coast. under the management o
the General Government, and on such prac.
ticsble route a. will best subserve the in
teresss os the whole country.
Il. The Government should prevent BY
all its mesns the acquisition of any further
dominion on this continent by any foreign
power.
i3. We should protect at ali hazards, and
under all circumstances, the integrity OF oul
own soil, and we should regard with honor.
able fidelity to our laws and treaties the
rights of adjoining nations. All attempts