The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-07-07
Resolutions OF the Iowa Demo-
cratIc state COnVentiOii

RESOLUTIONS OF the IOW0 Demo-
cratic state Convention !
ist. Resolved, That we affirm the princi.
pies of the National Democratic Platform Of
1856, and re.assert the doctrines Of non.in-
tervention therein contained, as the only
ground upon which National Party can be
maintained in these CoDfederated States.
I'd. Resolved, That the organized Terri
tories of the United States afe only held in
the Territorial condition until they contain
sufficient number of inhabitants to authorize
their admission into the Union as States,
and are fully entitled 10 self government
and the undisturbed regulation of their own
domestic and local affairs, subject only to
the Constitution of the United States.
Sd. ReSolved, That inasmuch as the leg
islatve power of the Terftories extends un
deniably TO all rightful subjects of legisla.
| ton, no power can prevent them from pass.
ing such laws upon the subject of Slavery,
as to them may seem proper and whether
such law, when passed, be constitutional or
not, can be finally determined, not by Con-
gress, but by the Supreme Court, on appeal
from the decision of the Territorial Courts.
4th. Resolved, That the Supreme Court
OF the United States, being under the Con
slitution an independant coordinate branch
OF the Government, with tenure Of office
which cannot be changed by the action Of
parties through the instrumentality of Con.
gress, we hold the Democracy entirely irre-
sponsible for its doctrines, and in no case
conclusively bound by the same, except 30
far as to inculcate obedience to it's decisions
while they are continued in force.
9th. Resolved, That without Courts Of
Justice, both State and National, respected
by the people and sustained in their proper
func ctions by the popular sentiment, anarchy
and violence and all rights of both person
and property become insecure and worth
less.
9th. ReSolued, That the action Of the
public authorities in some of the States, in
attempting to set at defiance by State au.
thority, decisions of the Supreme Court and
acts of Congress, passed in accordance with
the Constitution, is the very essence OF Nul.
| lificaton.
7th. ReSolUed, That Tariff for revenue
alone is the true policy of this country, but
an incidental protection is one of its legiti.
mate consequences. The amount Of duties
levied should be limited to the necessary
wants of the Government, and they should
be so apportioned as TO fall as lightly as pos
s!ble upon the people, by whom they ore
eventually to be paid.
9th. Resolved, That it is q doctrine of
the Democratic party that all naturalized
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. Resolved, That the expansion of
our National domain is desirable whenever
it shall be necessary for the safety, happi-
ness and prosperity of the Republic and
we will hail with pleasure the acquisition Of
the Island of Cuba whenever it can be eff
fected with justice and in accordance with
the wishes of the people thereof. But as
Nation we can never assent TO its appropria.
tion by any of the powers of Europe, and
will incur all the hazards of war to avert such
result.
10th Resolved, 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 consti'u
tional means, will meet with the hearty ap-
provul of the Democracy of Iowa.
llth. ResolUed, That we are in favor of
granting homestead of l60 acres of land
by Congress to actual settlers, subject only
to such restrictions as will exclude specula-
tors from the benefits Of such acts.
10Th. Resolved, 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 retrench-
ment in our national expenditures.
18th. Resolved, That we are uncond.
tionally opposed to the re.opening of the AT.
rican slave trade-that its revival would not
only renew those cruelties which once pro.
yoked the indignation of the civilized world,
but would entail foul blot on our country's
fair escutcheon.
l4th. Resolved, That we cordially tender
to the Democracy of the Union an invitation
to unite with us in maintaining our organi.
zation on the principles indicated in the
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 Un-
ion.