Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-08-03
Platform of the Opposition Party of
1ldoptcd in Contention, at .Uacofa, Jaly 2oM,
1850

lSOJ.
The Opposition Party of Georgia plant;
itself upon the principles of State Rights
equal privileges in the Union, and equal dis
tribulion of its burthens, and the exercise
by Congress, only of such powers as are speci,
tically delegated in tire Constitution and
those clearly inferable from and incident to
the granted powers.
LIST. Resolved, That the Union as estab-
lished by the Federal Constitution, if the lat
ter be faithfully carried out, is the srrest
guaranty of the rights and interests of all
sections Of the country, and should be pre-
served.
3D. Resolved, That as the institution Of
slavery existed in the States Of the Confed-
eracy prior to the adoption of the Constitu-
ton of the United States: and as the right
to hold slaves as property was conceded by
the trainers of the Constitution and fully
recognized therein, therefore slavery exists
independent of the Constitution; and as
slavery is recognized and sanctioned By the
Constitution, Congress, which derives all its
powers from that instrument, cannot lceisate
on the subject of slavery except for its pro-
lection where it legally exists; we believe.
also. that the further agitation of slavery will
tend to no practical good to any portion Of
the country, and should therefore cease; re-
garding the princi pie as settled, both by leg
isativc enactment and judicial Interpretations
that the people of the Territories, when they
come to form . State Constitution, and at
no other time, (by "unfricndly legislation"
OF otherwise. shall decide the question for
themselves. We furthermore rcpudiate the
doctrine Of "squatter sovereignty" in all its
forms, as AL in,idious and certain mode Of
excluding the South from the common terri
tory Of the Union, and stand ready to or-
pose, sternly and uncompromisingly, all who
advocate that doctrine; that the territories
arc tie common property of all The States,
and, therefore, the people have the right to
enter upon and occupy any territory with
their slaves, as well as other property, and
protected b. the Constitution and flag OF the
country, that Congress has no right to legls-
late slavery into, nor exclude it from, ter
ritory and that we hold that the doctrine
of non-intervention with the institution Of
slavery in the States, Territories, or the Dis
trict Of Columbia, does not, nor was it intend
ed to. conflict with the assertion of the power
Ut Congress TO protect Tue properly ol Ihe
citizens Of the several States who may choose
lu settle in the several territories.
Sd. Resolved. That the recommendation
OF the President that Congress should confer
upon him tic war making power, and subject
the army and navy tn his control, coupled
with the demand for enormous appropriations
of the public money to carry out his views,
coll f,r,nd ,insrrvp tip,most uneul,iyucal and
unqualified condemnation Of the whole cuuu-
try.
4th. Resolved, That the reckless extrava-
gance ul the preceding and present admins
tratiuns- Of the Federal Government, and eS-
pccialIy tue unbushing corruption which has
marked the latter, by which tue public ex-
penditures have beeu increased from fifty to
near ono hundred millions of dollars per an
NUN, is deep wrong that should be rebuked
and must be corrected We hold Congress
equally responsible with the administration
for this extravaganza.