White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1859-05-05
Platform Adopted by the Opposition oil
LeaVenWorth County.


WHEREAS. The people of Kansas whose
liberties have hitherto been usurped and
trampled upon by Democratic admin
istrations, are resolved upon united ell
fort to release themselves from the thrali-
dom Of executive interference and oppo-
sition; and, i
WHEREAS, The Democratic party, thro'
two successive administrations, has vlo-
lated every protested principle of its or
ganization, and resorted to corrupt intiu-
enees and misapplication and abuse oil
power to subservc political ends, therefore
ResOlved, That the people of Leaven-
worth County, who are opposed to the
destructive policy and measures OF the
so-called Democratic party. Go proceed
to form and organize the Opposition in
Leavenworth County. and provide for
sending delegates to the Convention at
Osawatomie, for the purpose of forming
a territorial organization on the platform
of principles and measures hereinafter de-
clared.
Resolved, That, while we declare our
submission to the Constitution and laws
of the United States, we hold that the
Constitution does not carry slavery into
the Territories, but that it is tho creature
of special enactment. and has existence
only where supported by it; and we rep
rebate and condemn the pervcrsion Of the
power Of the Supreme Court of the Uni
ted States, to sectional demands and party
purposes.
Resolucd. That, as it is tho theory Of
American Republicanism that government
derives its origin and just authority from
the will of the people, it is right that the
people Of Territory, like those of a
State, should elect their own officers and
enact their own laws, free from Congress
sional or Executive interference and
that, when they frame and ratify a State
Constitution. and apply for admission
into the Union, if the government be Re-
publican in form. they should be admitted
on an equal footing with the other States
Of the Confederacy.
ReSOlVed. That we are in favor of a
State Constitution prohibiting slavery
and involuntary servitude, except for the
punishment of crime. and also prohibit
ing the exercise Of the right of suffrage
by negroes.
Resolred, That we protest against the
action of the Massachusetts, Legislature,
which would put the adopted citizen I'M
der greater political disabilities than those
now imposed by the naturalization laws
| of the United States.
ReSolved, That we condemn the Ad-
ministration for its feeblcneSs and impo-
tency in the enforcement of the law pro-
hibiting the importation of African slaves
into the United States, and demand such
further legislation by Congress as will
forever suppress the inhuman traffic.
ReSoIVed, That we deem it the duty of
Congress to mako liberal donations Of
public lands for the endowment of Agri-
cultural Colleges and other institutions
Of learning; and we appeal to it for the
passage Of an act Withholding the public
domain from sale for at least fifteen years
from the survey thereof, for the benefit Of
the actual settler.
ReSolred, That we look on the defeat
of the Homestead Bill, in the last Con-
gross, by Democratic votes, as unworthy
the liberality of great Government, and
earnestly urge upon the next Congress the
passage Of a similar act, making liberal
provision for the actual settler, and Civ
ing from the public domain Gland to the
landless."
ReSolred, That we are in favor of re-
trenchment in the public expenditures,
which have, by the reckless extravaganza
oftwO Democratic Administrations, plum
gcd the country deeply in debt, and
made the expenses Of single year, ex-
coed the entire expenditures Of the Gov
eminent from its formation to the close Of
JelTerson's Administration, a period Of
twenty years.
ReSOlred, That the people of the west,
the commerce of whose lakes and rivers
in spite of the neglect of Democratic ADJ
ministrations and Congresses-ha grown
to be three-fold greater than the whole
foreign commerce of the country, will
hold, hcnceforth. the Empire of the Gov
eminent, and should unite in inaugurating
a national policy which shall open and
improve the rivers and harbors Of the
country, and build highways over the in
terror of the continent for the great and
growing commerce Of the Plains.